Hey Chad, the new frame and bars about to drop, tell me about it?
Yeah, the handlebars have dropped, they’re called “intrikat” bars. Specs are: 8.5” (at the ends) 27” wide, 6 degrees back sweep, 3 degrees upsweep, .625 crossbar, 4130 Chromoly, post-weld heat treat, powder coated flat black with gloss black graphics. 1.85 lbs.
For more info:http://www.sandmbikes.com/_product_67649/Bar_-_Intrikat

How many prototypes did you go through to get what you want?
Three, in just over a year. Moeller is heavy into testing; we discussed each prototype in detail. I didn’t realize how much goes into designing a handlebar until after working with these guys.

Must be easier working with S&M, your up in Long Beach and S&M is in Santa Ana, not too far, that must be a big help? What’s the turn around time in getting prototypes to you?
It’s very convenient, for sure. On a good day it takes about 30 minutes to drive, during rush hour it could take hours. Turn around time varies, sometimes next day, sometimes weeks, sometimes… There are many variables that go into getting something made and any issue in one department affects the next. S&M makes a lot of products and keeping them flowing out is most important.  Timing is essential when adding new products, and it isn’t always as simple as it seems.

What did you look for in terms of your frame? Any special details?
A classic looking BMX, function is as important as styling though. I believe it’s possible to blend the two. I like a bike that’s solid, no flexing, responsive, but not twitchy. Real clean, minimal.

Nice touch to bring a lil Sabbath influence back into the scene…
Haha, thanks for that. McKinney got the gussett right long ago, I just asked the guys to trim it up.

You rode the Ronin Big E bars I gave you for a while, did those bars have any influence at all in the new bar design, what did you seek to improve if anything?
Yeah, for sure. When I started riding for S&M I put those Ronin bars on my LAF. At the time they were the only minimal sweep bars other than Bizhouse that I could find in 8”. The multi-piece design didn’t fit the LAF so I rode your bars. They were great, I rode them for a year then had a slightly different set made by S&M. They were .25” taller, heat treated and powder coated black. We tried another prototype similar to those but taller, a wider crossbar, more grip width and tighter lower bends. We experimented with different wall thicknesses, crossbar sizes and placement. A few friends have helped test different pairs along the way, thanks Ryan and Bill. Thanks to you for giving me the Big E bars years ago. The legend of Ronin will never die, haha. Alfred aka SIN has those now; he’ll keep them safe.

Its rad S&M are supporting you now, I know you and McKinney go way back, pretty much family for you right?
Stoked for sure. McKinney is a brother and he’s introduced me to the rest of the family. I feel comfortable with the people at the Building, they’re all cool.

Do you see this frame crossing over in street sales as well?
Possibly. I don’t want to limit this frame to just flatland, but that’s what I ride most of the time so this bike reflects that. Flatland tech with street beef merged together nicely. I ride to my spot and hit some stuff along the way, so I want a bike that handles all that.

When will the frame be available?
There’s no date set yet and I know Moeller wants it tested thoroughly, so we’re probably months away. I rode a LAF for a year in 08 and a LTF for a year in 09 and didn’t break or tweak either one. This frame feels sturdier than those so far.  I doubt we’ll have to strengthen it, but there may be changes, not sure yet. Sorry I can’t give you a more specific answer now.

Whats next for intrikat?
Always something going on. We’re still working on archiving VHS to digital. Working on TRIKology in my free time. Mostly focused on healing to get back to pushing my limits in riding. My sessions are slowly growing back to 2 hours or so. I’ll ride this frame as hard as I can and see what happens next.

Any shoutouts?
Yeah, for sure, thanks to you Effraim and Flatmatters, Amy, McKinney, Moeller, Jason, Jay and all the other bad asses at The Building. Thanks to Fano, Joel, Nate, Barney, John and Rich at Primo/Lotek. Thank you for keeping me rollin.

Great interview plus edit on a flatland legend, Robert Castillo. Great job with this one Rad dad!

Intro: Effraim

Interview: Effraim

Translation: Takuji Kasahara

Shinde’s edits this last year especially have catapulted him to flatland fame worldwide, of course besides being a great video producer, he is a great rider, giving a lot back to the scene in japan. Flatland could learn a lot from him. Sometimes I do interviews for this blog, and after I feel like I didn;t really learn anything, I have to to say, I got a lot out of this doing this interview, and i’m sure you will to! So without further a due, lets get started with this interview.

Whereabouts in Japan are you from?
I’m originally from Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan.It’s like in the countryside, but it’s very good place to be.

How did you get into flatland?
When I was at junior high school I was so much into computer games and spent a lot of money on it. All of sudden I noticed that even if I master computer games getting nothing.I sold my computer games, and bought a skate board because, I wanted to do something opposite to computer games.I got good at it as soon as I started skateboarding. I’d been too elated that I was a good skateboarder. One day my brother introduced to me some BMX riders and I got impressed by them. They were York and Masashi who is Ares’s designer.My brother was a college teacher and York and Masashi were students of the college.

Who are you sponsored by?
ARESBYKES、FFC、A-branch、mingle.

How long have you been riding, I know it’s been a while, whats kept you motivated?
I’ve been riding for 16 years. As for a pro rider, my motivation is from Aresbykes. As for a rider, it’s simply fun. Creating tricks is fun and I like riding with other riders without any thinkings.

Who have been your biggest influences growing up in flatland?
I used to watch flatland videos everyday back in the days, hard to pick one rider. So I say every riders who was active in the scene back then.

If you could pinpoint a reason why flatland is so popular in japan what would that be?
Because top riders built the BMX scene as sharing joy with everyone, and we are taking over the soul.

It seems you have many events in japan, not only the big ones such as KOG, but small jams?
I think small jams are really important for the scene. Everyone can get spot light even beginners.Everyone can play the leading role at the jams and everyone rides, learns and influences.

I like what you said about jams, and the importance of them?
Looking from an outsider into japan, it appears you have a very structured scene, which helps the riders? Would that be correct?
I think big contests here like KOG has huge influence for the flatland scene in Japan and a lot of riders take aim at the KOG and that is kind of indicator for riders.I don’t know if it’s right or not.One thing I can say is the riders who should lead the scene have to speak more loud for the scene, or their dreams.You can’t change anything if you are making conventional remarks.

What do you do for a job? And how often do you get to ride these days?
I work for an affiliated company of Toyota as precesion development designer. I do with cars and lives, energies and everything. I ride one or three times two hours session during a weekdays and I ride at weekend too.

Tell me about mingle? I love the mingle edits…
Mingle is an apparel brand found by a flatland rider Osamu from Nagoya.The concept of the brand is mixing many things and cultures up so I tried to follow the concept when I edited the movies. There used to be the head shop of Mingle in Nagoya but that’s gone now. So less actions from Mingle now.Everyone is expecting me new movies, but it’s little hard to do that in this situation.

Thats a real shame about Mingle, so whats next in the pipeline for you?
I want to make videos regularly and improve photographs quality.
Now you have been riding many years, what are your influences now and how have they changed form when you started?
The biggest motivation for me comes from Aresbykes. That fills my creative side with creating tricks and BMX parts and movies taking pictures, organizing and participating events. I always love creative things since I started riding and that doesn’t change.Japanese riders are very friendly and funny to hang out with! I’d love to share my time and ride with as many riders as possible, while I’m a rider.

Interesting what you say about picking up skateboarding very quickly, do you see any similarities with the movements of flatland? Did you pick up flatland quickly?
I see similarity in skatebording and flatlanding. It’s about balance points, importance of timing etc…Flatland was harder to get balance point at the first, but I guess I learnt everything quicker than others.My first trick was decade and I first landed decade in a week even, before I learnt bar spins.I got 1st place in open class at my first contest, when I was at high school. I don’t think the level was so high though.

Do you have much input into the designs of Ares products?
Basically, Aresbykes designer Masashi is tracing plans for most of Ares products.We give him our ideas and feedback and we discuss about the detail and specs.I think if one person do everything on the parts by ones own it’s not ending up as good parts for everyone.There have to be more than one experts objectively conclude them to be right, otherwise we can’t develop right parts for everyone continually. Aresbykes has structured very good systems for developing parts.

How much longer do yourself competing for Shinde?
As long as I can move and as long as I can enjoy contests.

What are your best memories of riding through your last 16 years?
I have so many good memories of BMX life, it’s tough to choose “the best one” .I got injured in foreign country and went to hospital, I used to admire some riders the riders became my friends and now some riders admire me.My bike has hooked me up with chicks, someone made a fool of me riding such small bike and I fought against them…Everything is good memories and everything is good experience.There are nothing without BMX.

Any final shoutouts/thanks?
I’d like to thank to everyone especially Effraim for giving me this opportunity and Taku for translation.Even a little thing is need for making up something.And to young riders, study and learn more things that expand your views. Looking back on my past, I don’t think I studied well though..We need everyone’s support to make this scene better.Think something from one step ahead.

Intro/Interview:Effraim.

Photos: Mike S

A few months ago, you like me probably thought the BMX masters was done, with regard to flatland! If you have ever been to the Masters you will know, that consistently each year, flatland is one if not THE best event, it runs on time and smoothly, draws a massive crowd, the riding goes off,theres a tension at this contest that can’t be explained, its a big deal if you win the Masters! Thankfully this year, Deep Bmx stepped up to the plate and took matters into their own hands! I can’t say enough good things about Deep, for me, they are already one of the best brands in flatland, in a very short time, i’ll leave it at that! Go buy a Deep product, support the riders who do make a difference to this sport we all love! Without further a due, heres a short interview I sent over to the Deep guys to see how it all went from their perspective!

Alright guys, first off, Congrats for pulling the flat comp off, you deserve a lot of respect for doing that!!!How do you feel the event went?
Exhausted! But we both think the event was a big success. We had many riders from all around the world competing in two classes. We had 60 amateur riders and 23 pro riders which is amazing when you think about how many riders cancelled their flights, and changed their travel plans.

What problems if any did you face organising the event?
To be honest we did not have too much trouble at all. We had a lot of work but no trouble. Worries like the weather were always in our mind, cause the budget was not big enough for a tent. But everything was good!

Who helped you with putting this on?
Power Balance of course cause they paid the prize money, and without them nothing would have been possible.. We cared about the contest,schedule,djs,judges,mcs,etc.

Why is it so important flatland is in an event like the bmx masters?
Cause we think it is all one, and it has to be at least one big event in the world where it comes all back together. And Flatland always has been a big deal at the Masters or Worlds, every Jugendpark Contest. That’s how it started there!

Deep is a young brand and already I think you guys are widely admired and building a great reputation for the future, the future looks great for you guys! Whats next?
We are a small brand and try to grow slowly, but healthy. We have many ideas, but all step by step. We will keep doing our stuff like we did till now.

Any thanks/shoutouts for this last weekend?
We already did our shoutouts on facebook, but it can’t be told often enough! Thanks for all the riders who showed up at the Masters, competing or just yelling from the crowd. Thanks for all the people helping us to make this such a great event. Thanks to Roman, Mike S,James Smith,Sebi from Hungary,Tom,Catfish, people at the Deep booth, Myla, Jäz, the booty call crew,Wolfgang and Dennis,the masters crew for the good food, drinks, tools and a good set up! Thanks to all! Deep BMX!!!

It’s felt like a while since any new faces joined the pro class, this year saw Jean William Prevost explode onto the scene at fight with flight, good to see someone new in the mix, Jean has been killing it this year (fwf, toronto, and also jomopro), I wanted to know some more about him. Jean kindly put together a video for the interview also, check it out!

Ok lets gets this started, I don’t know much about you Jean-William, so please introduce yourself, where you are from? how old you are? all that kind of stuff
I was born on the year of the Tiger, 24 years ago, in the commercial hub of an old French colony named Montreal, Quebec. The French call us lumberjacks, but we consider ourselves the raffined branch of the two. haha…We have a decent flatland scene in Quebec. Daniel Boyer which rode for Cirque du Soleil for a few years, Jason Plourde and J-F Boulianne in Shenzhen doing shows for Happy Valley, guys like Simon Marsan and Francois Cote who inspired all of us into creating our own tricks and riders from one end of the province to the other killing it with different styles and switches.

So on a day to day basis, what is your first language, french?
These days, I speak mostly Chinese, being submerged in it and all, but my first language is French followed closely by English. Would love to learn Spanish and Japanese! I think learning a language opens up a brand new understanding of a people and their culture…same for flatland, it’s kind of like our own dialect!

How long have you been riding flat? What got you into it?
I’ve been riding for over 8 years now. I think it all started in the eighties when my Dad borrowed the movie BMX Bandits from a friend of his who had a movie rental shop. I watched it over and over again, amazed by how 3 kids could escape the bad guys after stealing their walkie-talkies…disabling them from committing some more crime. I guess that, in my head that’s where BMX Riders attained the level of superhero. As long as I can remember, I’ve been riding a BMX bike…I had a mountain bike once, and it got stolen within the month…so that was meant to be!

I saw few edits of you riding indoors, looks like you have some crazy good indoor facilities to deal with winter, is this the case?
There’s new skatepark (http://www.taz.ca) which opened up last summer…It keeps us warm during winter at the cost of 10 bucks a session. So it cost me almost 200 bucks a month to ride there last winter…It’s pretty much the only indoor spot we have to escape the blistering cold of Lumberjack land.

How long were you riding before you went pro?
7-8 years.

This year already you have made quite an impact on the Fight with flight and Toronto contest, how do you feel about that?
Feels like I can do a lot better! Fight with Flight was an awesome contest.

Who do you ride with on a daily basis?
In the winter months I ride with Mike Lubensky and Elias Odeh…but summer comes and I spend the whole summer riding alone at the Happy Valley amusement park I work at in Beijing. Except for during one or two CX-GAMES competitions here this summer, I won’t get to ride with many people…I met this guy named Henry from Holland who rides, he does some cool x-footed stuff.

Your bike has come in for quite a bit of attention, so tell me about your bike, describe the setup? I know a lot of people are interested…
The company is FarEast customs, originating from the province of GuangXi in South East China, you should be hearing more from them in the years to come…They’re now helping me out with parts and stuff.

What do you prefer the 3 minute run or battle format?
No preference, I like it all. I also really like the fact, that pretty much every contest format is different…That’s what makes our sport that unique, and if someone isn’t satisfied with the way a contest was held, then that person should organize it’s own and make it it’s own way.

At jomopro you had one of the best battles of the contest, that atmosphere was electric, of course not nice to lose but how did you feel after that battle with viki?
Felt humbled, honored to lose to Viki, whom I’ve heard of ever since I started riding and who has been pushing the sport bringing his own flavors and styles to flatland. I was really happy from landing that back wheel cross footed thing too…was thinking about that battle the whole drive back to Montreal…which took at least 30 hours.

After jomopro, you were off to china, how are you liking china?
This is actually my fifth time to China…I’ve spent more than three years total in China…Time flies by here, seems like everything sped up…I don’t know if it’s from doing what I like or just growing up in general. I can’t think of a place on Earth right now where the people are as motivated as the Chinese to succeed, this pushes me forward and in the right direction. The food, the pricing, the girls…….< How many shows do you do a day? Is there much free time to ride for yourself?
Three shows a day during the week, and 4 shows a day on the weekend…It’s demanding, but this gets my mind off every other thing I don’t want to worry about so I’m able to focus on riding only…I ride pretty much all afternoon everyday.

What for you are the positives and negatives of show riding if any?
Positive : Becoming stronger and more self-confident in front of a crowd, being good preparation for contests.
Negative: Riding tired, or riding on an injury.

So from the initial attraction of Bmx bandits does flatland still make you feel like a superhero eight years on?
I think anyone who puts any effort into what they love and persist will at some point feel like a superhero, because you can only and always get better. Progression is the most rewarding feeling on this blue Dot.

What do you miss about canada when your in china?
Definitely miss my family, I also miss my home spot in Chinatown, Montreal bahahah…The whole Montreal vibe too, it’s a nice place to live.

What do you do outside of riding? Do you work when your back in canada?
When I’m not riding, I usually study Chinese or write some verses, even draw from time to time or read books. Back in Canada I work at a bike company called Opus bikes on the assembly line. But that’s only for a few months every year. Play a lot of hockey during the winter, it’s good for cardio.

What music are you into?
These days mostly Hip-Hop and Dubstep.

Any final shoutouts?
Thanks to FarEast fo helping me out, and thank you Effraim for this interview!

Thanks for your time jean, keep shredding!