Effraim Catlow Bike Check: Zion Focus prototype






Had couple of requests for the bikechecks to return, starting with mine. Currently testing the first version of the Sam Foakes signature “Focus” Zion frame, so far so good, the frame is really responsive, Sam and Mislav are making a few changes to the thickness of tubing on the next prototype (Sam would like more weight), and angle of back chainstays, and change to the back dropouts…At only a few months old it’s to early to talk about the strength of the frame, but the frame for the most part, rides extremely well. Just a few minor details to change.

Frame: Sam Foakes “Focus (Mid Version 4.2 pounds).
Forks: Odyssey Pro Flatland
Aheadset: Zion
Bars: OG Caramel 3’s (inch cut off either side).
Barends: Wtp Ti
Griplocks: Ares
Grips: Animal Edwin
Stem: Bizhouse (Gyro Cover to cover up sharp edges on Crackpacker type tricks)
Seatpost: Thomason
Seatclamp: Profile Slim Jim
Seat: Odyssey 99er
Tyres: Odyssey Frequency G’s K lytes 1.75
Tubes: Duro
Front wheel: Profile SS Hub, 48 radial, Odyssey Sevenka rim.
Pegs: Fly Gomez magnesium front and back..
Back Wheel: 48 Cross spoke, (double butted), G sport rim, Profile shell, Nankai internals, 11 tooth back cog.
Chainring: Profile KP 28.
Chain: KMC Light
Chain Tensioner Hoffman + adaptors for 10mm to 14mm dropouts
Cranks: Profile flatland, 165, Hollow Cro-mo axle
Bottom Bracket: Shadow, Spanish bb

Voodoo Jam 2009 teaser

With the finals of the World Circuit a month and a half away, Erik Otto just out this teaser from last years event, great edit!

Voodoo Jam 2008 Promo from Erik Otto on Vimeo.

Pioneers: Dennis McCoy + Kevin Jones

Heres a couple of vids by popular request of Dennis McCoy and Kevin Jones, Dennis pioneered the way for modern day flatland along with Kevin Jones and the Plywood Hoods, not to mention numerous others, I could go on…. I love the first edit of McCoy at the AFA Austin 1988 I grew up watching this on a tatty vcr tape, this somehow added to it, no internet and we are watching what’s going on in the US. Feel the energy, and the speed McCoy cranks into the tricks, inspiring!!!! Also take note of the crowd being so into it, they knew he touched on the triple flail boomerangs in Arizona (previous afa round), love it!

+ If anyone knows the mixes he rode to below, get in contact..

Kevin Jones as an amateur rider, AFA Arizona 1988. Already bringing his original tricks to the game…Great run.

Check out more old school clips on: www.krtschmidt.com

Moto Sasaki Interview

Intro/Interview:EC. Translation:Taku.

Last year I spent the day riding alongside Moto Sasaki when I was at the Yokohama mm21 spot right before the KOG finals with Sam, Mislav, and our host Aki, watching this guy ride for a day outside of the contests was more interesting to me than watching the contest riding in my opinion, Moto can do so many tricks, and he’s now able to throw his skills back in the original switches. I remember saying to Sam, look he just did all of Matthias’ tricks with ease right after the sevisual video with Adam Kun came out last year, he later threw a massive combo, with Switch foot karl jump frame to xft halfpacker pivot to steam with epic ease, his control amazed us. Like a ninja, quietly going about his business. It’s my pleasure to bring this interview to you, one of the most skilled riders in Japan, Moto Sasaki…My prediction….if this can can match the skills with personal belief, he can be a massive force in flatland.

FM) How old are you?
M) Date of Birth: 5/5/1985, 24 years old

FM) How long riding?
M) 6 years.

FM) What got you into riding?
M) i got my bike stolen then i bought a bike that was a BMX

FM) Whereabouts in Japan are you from? Hows the flatland scene there?
M) Maihama, Chiba. very close to Disneyland, there are not large number of riders here in Chiba if it compares to other prefectures in Japan. Chiba has more good riders (chiba has the most king of ground pro riders in japan) than other prefectures though. we dont get together to ride often we are kind of spread out in Chiba so…

FM) Do you ride on your own mostly? Or with other riders?
M) i like riding with other riders but at the same time, i like riding by myself and enjoy it with my own way.
i often ride with Yasunari Ishijima (jimalog guy) at night.

FM) What got you into flatland?
M) Well, i think every riders has their own way to enjoy their riding,some riders think bmx as fashion, others think riding as a sport. To me, flatland bmx is like playing a computer game, getting new tricks like clearing the stages then i can go to the next stage,thats how i enjoy riding.

FM) From the few times i’ve seen you ride, its evident you can do a lot of pros tricks, explain why you do that?
M) I do that intentionally, I’m learning a lot from them, getting their ways to keep a balance and ideas that lead my original tricks. It’s said to be that the originality is the most important in japanese contest scene.
I dont think i’m always right, but, in my opinion original tricks are beyond skills.
When I went to the masters, I felt the physical difference between top riders and me. If I only ride to pursue the originalty I can’t reach to their riding in contestwise.
When i got back from the masters I was thinking about the styles, then my choise is that I lean every ways to keep the balance and cover up the physical difference with it. And.. to be honest, I had hard time to understand the judges before. I thought like if i have skills, i can pass judgment about results, because I know which tricks are harder, so I judge at KOG expert class.


Switch ft spinning lawn step up opposite timemachine to regular side pedalling time machine.

“To me, flatland bmx is like playing a computer game, getting new tricks like clearing the stages then i can go to the next stage,thats how i enjoy riding.”

FM) Which tricks have you made up yourself?
M) Switches from x-footed half packer (Switch foot karl jump to xft halfpacker for example) and jumping switches…(infamous Moto pedal 5 jump to steam)

FM) What are your plans with riding?
M) I just want to see how far i can go with my riding.

FM) Who supports you with riding?
M) I’m riding for JYKKJAPAN (bmx distributor), SUELO(bmx brand), UBIQSHOES(shoes brand),SLOPESHOT(bmx shop).

FM) What inspires you with flatland?
M) i only do flatland. coz flatland has countless tricks, infinity styles and possibilities.
i like street too. but,i put so much energy and time on flatland and i dont think I will ever get sick of flatland.

FM) Which riders do you look up to for inspiration?
M) Trevor Meyer is my favorite rider, when I first saw him riding on flatland manifesto, I got a big impact from him.
Other riders I get inspiration from are Hotoke, Keisuke Tanigawa and Shuichi Osada.
Hotoke, his sense of proportion is insane. Shuich Osad has a great concept on his tricks.
And Keisuke Tanigawa, he is the same age as me, he is definitely the most skilled rider in Japan, I respect them.

FM) Do you travel much to ride? I remember we saw you at the yokohama spot last year..
M) Basically, i ride at my spot the most. Yeah, I was there at the yokohama mm21, just because you and sam were there…

FM) Do you like the battle style contests, or prefer the 3 minure run style contest format?
M) It depends on the battle time, but I prefer the 3 minutes run rather than head to head battle.
In japanese contests, there are not enough time to try harder tricks because the run time is short so consistency is more important.If i were audience, I understand the two mins runs mean and I wouldn’t like to see mistakes… but I’m a rider who wants to see the best trick!
Especially, KOG battle format, one min two runs each battle and the combo in progress after beep isnt evaluated.
I’ve seen many good riders lost the battle with trying hard trick and making one or two mistakes, it’s like they lost against the battle format.
I feel sorry for them sometimes…

FM) Any rider you are scared to battle?
M) scared?? i would say… Keisuke Tanigawa and Hotoke. Despite I’ve been riding 8 hours a day everyday since I started riding, they are obviously better than me and have original tricks, love riding.
I had felt down about it before, we are friends now and I dont think i’m scared of them anymore. I reckon them among my rivals. I dont want to lose against them more than any other riders, they have always motivated me. I think their existance made me better, so i kind of appreciate them.

KOG Round 2 (2008) PRO 3rd place, Moto Sasaki from Henrik C. on Vimeo.

Eighties revival?! Haro demo at the Worlds

1986.. I was at the Poole UKBFA National, competing in the Under 12 class on flat and ramp, and watched the Haro team (Ron Wilkerson, Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie), they blew my mind with their energy, and how high they were going, certainly influnced me as a young rider…. 2009, the ex haro team are back and doing a demo at the Worlds this year, f**king awesome!

Barcelona Bikeshow 09 edit

Great edit here from Juan D de Mello.

Flatland Pro Final – Bikeshow 09 from Juan G. de Mello on Vimeo.

Great World Championship footage from 1999-Winner Phil Dolan

Just came across on youtube yesterday, cracking footage from Juan Macion at the 1999 Worlds in Madrid, Spain, I don’t remember a great deal from this contest, the floor was like that of a building site (not in a good way), and it was so hot, all the contests ran in the late afternoon, early evening. Still the contest went off, Phil Dolan won his second world championship, Andrew Faris was on it for almost the whole contest, apart from the final run where he touched a few times, Nathan Penonzek rode amazing in qualifiers, but the spanish guys got naked before his finals run and totally threw him off. Oh and Faris famously got so wasted in the trophy ceremony, asking for the first place trophy. It’s on baco as I remember.

Trevor Meyer & Alexis Desolneux Solitaire 2

Two rad videos from 2000, the Solitaire videos by Armin Batoumeni and Christophe Dassie ruled, almost like a mix tape of all the best riding from the year. 2000, what a year, X games, fly back for King of Concrete, ten years, seems like yesterday in some ways. Im drifting off here, back to the vids, great stuff from Trevor at the X games, and Alexis is shredding brakeless. Enjoy.

Pete Brandt 2009

One of my idols growing up, Pete’s still busting in SF like always,an inspiration to all the older riders and perhaps younger generation (I can’t speak for them), nice back wheel combo from him here,enjoy!