Sunday, April 18, 2010

Shred-Well

Back in the day when I was a teenager, before I had status and before I had a track bike, I rode skateboards. I would sit in chemistry class and dream of lines, sequential tricks that I could hit at my favorite spots. Those were my favorite parts of videos as well. Sure, the big stairs and gaps were cool but a long line shows a riders imagination and skill.

After seeing Shred-Well from The Grime I was totally impressed with the way trick track riding is going. There are lots of lines and lots of big stuff, as in 15-stair big.

SHRED-WELL from Mike Schmitt on Vimeo.



I also really love when riders use their environment, pulling tricks where you never expect it. That's part of the reason I switched to singlespeed. Riding is about having fun as well as commuting. When I'm riding fixed I feel as though I'm just pedaling. If I were to try a trick I would have to slow down and make sure my feet are in the right position. With a singlespeed I don't slow down, and with 35mm cross tires I plow through whatever I want, allowing me to use even more of my environment, the non-paved part.

Really though, fixed, singlespeed, whatever. It's practical. I can commute, I can do tricks on the same bike.

9 comments:

chuck said...

long live jay

Anonymous said...

Rectum... damn near killed 'em.

It doesn't "flow".

Using a freewheel you'll be able to make it look much smoother. The flatland moves look good fixed but the rest really isn't that fun to watch.

Cara said...

i guess fixmemphis only has the one meaning from now on. lolz. grime is awesome fo sho.

chuck said...

woops


http://vimeo.com/9437137


i wish somebody would

chuck said...

especially 2:09

Flow with it said...

kermit!!! i completely agree, trick track lacks the flow that smaller bmx bikes with freewheels give...the bigger bike is harder to throw around and you cant ever do an air trick?! oh except barspin, but where is the tobaggan, the turndown, hell the frickin can can? they are all can't can'ts on track bikes because the speed that you need to get float off a jump is faster a leg speed than you can stop in the half a second that you are in the air. this is where the style goes out the door, bmx is smooth and fast and never breaks the fluid movement that is being transfered from the various ramps/obstacles, with a track bike your riding is first effected by the constant peddle, and then effected by the ground...bottom line is those keos and bars look awesome, but there will never be as smooth criminal as mike aitken or chase hawk on a track bike...too much back tire hopping...

Anthony C. Siracusa said...

And most importantly, freewheels bikes rule for bike polo.

chuck said...

the other is 3-6

chuck said...

here you go post this on your site for your free wheel enjoyment!!!
please!!!!!!!!!

http://itswrahw.blogspot.com/2010/04/sean-burns-left-metal.html