2.

Around a year ago we discovered a rather alarming fact... that Ryan and JBolt are distant cousins. With that reality, it only seems appropriate to have our first 2 for 1 'because we ride' posts. So today we will be showcasing Jbolt and Ryan's BMX bikes.


First I give you JBolt's write up:

I've ridden bmx for about 13 years. This is the first bmx bike that I've bought new as a frame and built up complete. As a 13 year old with no source of income (other than trying to get money out of mom or dad) I always bought, traded for, or got handed down used parts from the other
riders who were a few years older and had jobs and money. Around 4 years ago I was feeling a little loose with the money I had around Christmas time and decided to upgrade from my mid 90's S&M Holmes to something new. I took a trip down to Albe's on the east side of the state and spent like $550 on a frame, cranks, and headset I built this FBM with all new parts (so that I can eventually restore the piece of modern bmx history that is the S&M Holmes). It's by far the best feeling bmx bike I've had, even though with a 21.125 in. top tube its still too small.

* Frame: FBM - Deployer 21.125” t.t.
* Fork: Odyssey - Dirt Fork
* Stem: Odyssey - Elementary
* Headset: Kink
* Bars: FBM - Big Apes
* Cranks: Profile with gun drilled hollow spindle
* Sprocket: Fly 25t
* Pedals: 1 Odyssey pc and 1 Eastern pc
* Saddle: Fly with Haro post (cut to about an inch long) and Fit clamp
* Brake / Lever: Odyssey
* Tires: Fly and Maxxis
* And a couple of pegs.

Tied all together with Velocity P-35’s laced with DT Swiss spokes to the Velocity BMX hubs.

Bolt also wanted to make sure that his favorite BMX video was posted with this...

FBM Albert St. from FBM BMX on Vimeo.

Now for Ryan's...

Yah, I'm getting older and even though the little crashes hurt more than they did in my younger days I continue to ride BMX. Why? Because it's FUN!! I'll be at the skate park tonight getting schooled by kids that weren't even born when I graduated from high school. Being the old guy at a skate park has its advantages though. I can take it easy, flow around the park, and watch the incredible progression of kids that ride.

There are definitely shredders in every town but it's the social aspect of the parks and trails that teach today's youth to be good people. They learn respect, encouragement, dedication, and how to take some ribbing from their peers. There are also obvious physical benefits from getting your ass off the couch and heading to the trails for a day of digging and riding. So what I'm saying is BMX is awesome and young or old, all you have to do is ride. Here's a look at my bike.


*Frame. Fly Luna (20.6 TT)
*Cranks. Profile Race
*Tiers. Odyssey PLYTE Rear and Maxxis Holy Roller Front.
*Stem. Primo Pro
*Chain Ring. Odyssey 30T
*Bars. FBM
*HS. Verde Integrated
*Saddle. Odyssey
*Brakes. Primo
*wheels. Velocity P-35s Tubeless. Yes I said tubeless. We rolled the P-35 in 20" for testing and it's working out rather well. They are wide, light, and since they were designed as a tubeless mountain rim I thought I'd give it a try. I used the same application on my 20" that we use for the mountain wheels and presto, tubeless BMX.

_

That's right, you heard right 20-inch P35's - tubeless.

Mind = Blown.

We've got a few of them instock also, offered in just a rim or complete as a wheelset.

Specs on the wheelset:

Front Wheel:
Rim - 20" P35
Hub - Velocity BMX front hub
Spokes/Nipples - DT Swiss Champion 3x, DT Swiss Brass Nipples
Weight - 830 grams or 1 pound 13.27 oz.

Rear Wheel:
Rim - 20" P35
Hub - Velocity BMX rear hub
Spokes/Nipples - DT Swiss Champion 3x, DT Swiss Brass Nipples
Weight - 1022 grams or 2 pounds 4.04 oz

P35 20" Rim Spec:
Colors available - black and white
Drillings available - 36 hole
Weight - 390 grams or 13.75 oz.

Contact your local bike shop for pricing.

2 for 1

There are moments, moments where the stars align and greatness shines through. Often through adversity and hard work, sometimes through a chain of 'random' events. This neither of those: the JBolt '...because we ride' photo shoot.

A simple equation: 1977 Ford E-250 van + a Milwaukee track frame X (eerily similar paint scheme + Thin Lizzy playing the background) = greatness.

Sure, first and foremost we love bikes. We ride bikes. But a van with this vintage, with this much character and a recliner in the back we couldn't help but highlight both. Today I give you, JBolt's write up on them both:

I got this bike a little over a year ago on a trade deal between Velocity and the fine folks at Milwaukee/Ben’s. I wanted a light, American made, fast, cool looking bike to zip around town on. Also, they made it in the Blatz brown and gold colorway which was the biggest selling point as Blatz is the finest American beer of all time (and hard to find in Grand Rapids). The picture of the bike is in front of my 1977 Ford E-250. They are pretty much the same paint job and both are total badass modes of transport.

Milwaukee Orange One frame/fork 62cm
Sugino Crank/Ring/B.B.
Brooks saddle
Easton Post
No name stem, bars, and pedals from the Freewheeler junkyard.
Continental Tires

The wheels on this are my favorite part. They are a classic example of “having cool stuff at your disposal and a bit of time after hours”. The front is a one of a kind black and mirror flake Deep-V modified crow’s foot laced to the Velocity Hollow Axle track hub. The rear is a Bronze Deep-V snowflake laced to a one off proto-type track hub made right here in Michigan by our good buds over at Aerospoke. That hub is by far my favorite part of the bike.

Adam also asked that I give a small write up of the van as-well. It’s a ’77 E-250 ¾ ton. I got this little lady for $900 off of Craigslist not too long ago. It came with the green faux leather recliner and foot stool, custom carpet from floor to ceiling (including the inside door panels), built in cabinets, and up to date stereo system housed inside the coffee table. It also came with a tee shirt with a picture of the van on it…. I’ve never been one to get all chubbed out by cars, but I love a good van. I love this van.

Two of Bolt's ladies...

Well, I'd like to say today we'll be hearing the epic love story between JBolt and two of his ladies. Unfortunately, I think both claim different parts of the man's heart. Either way, both are pretty special. Enjoy today's '...because we ride'...

This bike has a story. A long winded and twisted tale of an under appreciated bicycle that was ignored and left on a hook for years. Unfortunately I don’t actually know that story; I’ve just made it up in my mind. This Gios Torino came to me in almost the same state that it currently is. My good bud Alex found it on Craigslist for $430 and told me about it since it was far too big for anyone else he knows. I emailed the guy and said I would be there tomorrow to pick it up. The guy said someone was coming to look at it, but if they didn’t buy it he would let me know. I thought for sure at that price I would not get the chance to buy it. For some reason the person who went to check it out did not feel the need to buy it. So, late afternoon Sunday I duck out of polo a little early and a little drunk to go pick it up. Guy says it has been hanging in his garage/basement for years un-touched, still in like new condition with 175 miles on the computer. So why this bike never got ridden, where this guy got the bike, or why everything is from the early 80’s except the early 90’s Shimano parts I will never know, but who cares… it’s just a bike right?

Frame/Fork: Gios Torino “Professional”.

King headset

Cinelli stem and bars

Campagnolo brakes/levers, crank/b.b., seat post/binder bolt

Dura Ace downtube shifters, front & rear derailleur, cassette, hubs

San Marco Rolls saddle

Velocity Razor Rims with Dura Ace Hubs

Shimano 600 pedals (the most aweful, uncomfortable pedal ever made)

Velocity O.G. Velocage

This picture was taken with my main gal Allis. Allis Chalmers is the most bad assest hi-lo on the planet.

... because We Ride. 2 for 1... sorta.

For this weeks '...because We Ride' bicycle segment we have the head of our shipping department, Jeff Bolt and his IRO 29er. Here's a little write up from J-Bolt himself:

This is my IRO 29er. I built this up towards the end of last summer. It’s the first MTB that I’ve ever had. Ryan and Jacobi were going out a lot to the various (and great) trails in our area and it seemed like a lot of fun so I got Tony at IRO to help me out with it. I only got out on the trails a couple times last fall, but can’t wait to get out again. Since we get some brutal winters here in west Michigan I re-purposed it for the winter as a snow commuter, just trying to get the most use out of it as possible. I didn’t put much time or money into customizing this bike, I just built it as cheap as I could to see if I would really even get into mountain biking. I’m sure someday I’ll build up some uber nice 29er with a bunch of fancy components (maybe with a bigger frame), but for now this is all I need in a MTB.

Bicycle Spec:

Frame: Iro 29er (22” still a bit small for my stupid tall self)
Fork: Iro
Wheelset: Celeste Blunts laced with black DT Swiss Competition spokes and black DT nips to Velocity lightweight disc front and single speed disc rear hubs
Tires: Continental Mountain King 2.2
Pedals: Crank Brothers Egg Beaters
Crank: Iro 175mm
Chain: KMC Z chain

Freewheel: Shimano 17t
Bottom Bracket: Iro eccentric
Handlebars: Truvativ Hussefelt
Stem: Truvativ XR
Headset: FSA
Brakeset: Avid BB7 w/ 160mm rotors
Saddle: Specialized shop take off
Seat Post: Iro

Other Accessories: Black and a Celeste Velocity Velocage (R.I.P.), Planet Bike 29er Fenders (just for the winter)

Big thanks to Tony at IRO for the help with this bike he’s a good dude to deal with!

_

The next bike we have is actually coming to us from our brethren in Australia. You might remember Adam Pelzer's pseudo Bianchi from last month. This morning we got a email from him saying it's time to part ways with one of his steeds.


Here's a little run down on the bike:

· DACCORDI PURSUIT BIKE

· BUILT EARLY 1980'S FOR LA OLYMPICS.

· WHITE PEARL PAINT.

· COLUMBUS SL TUBING.

· COLUMBUS TIPS.

· NO BRAKE DRILLS.

· MINT FRAME.

· WHITE VELOCITY AEROHEAD WHEELSET, 36H SEALED BEARING HUBSET FIX/FIXED.

· 520mm 24x1 1/8" FRONT WHEEL

· 622mm 700c REAR WHEEL

· SUGINO SUPER MIGHTY 52T TRACK CRANKSET

· STRONGLIGHT 1" THREADED ROLLER BEARING HEADSET

· THOMPSON 27.2mm POST

· WHITE TURBO SADDLE

· CAMPAGNOLO ITALIAN BOTTOM BRACKET

· 16T 1/8" COG

· GOLD KMC 710 CHAIN

· BULLHORNS

· SCHWALBE STELVIO TYRES

· CENTRE TO CENTRE SEAT TUBE 57cm

· CENTRE TO CENTRE TOP TUBE 55cm

NO PEDALS

RIDDEN A FEW LAPS OF VELODROME SINCE REBUILD

WILL PACK AND SHIP WORLD WIDE.

$1800 AUD

Interested? Email Adam directly here: adam@velocitywheels.com