16" GT Pro Tour

On a tip from Sailor this past week, Simon and I went to check out a 16" GT BMX. Excited about the prospect of a proper mini BMX like my Haro but from a different period, we arranged to meet up on a cold December evening. I got there first, and was totally blown away by the bike; if Simon didn't buy it, I would. It's a mostly-original 16" GT Pro Tour, which at this point I would estimate at early-to-mid-'90s vintage.


Locking Dia Compe Tech-77 levers - when was the last time you saw a pair of these? It should be mentioned that these hinged-clamp levers (in non-locking form) are still sold in the modern BMX world.


4130 Cro-Moly, Huntington Beach, CA - the real deal. Apart from some surface rust, the finish and original decals are in great shape.


Freestyle. Pink and Blue. Though the Compact Disc chainring is cool, I think it deserves one of my NOS GT 43T rings for a bit higher gear.


Pantographing, American BMX style. Check out the seat stays, which were carried through the entire GT line at the time.


Plastic wings logo saddle on a layback post which protrudes from that ever-so-period decade platform.


Doesn't it just make you want to get out and ride? This will be a great bike for Simon to learn tricks for Brakes while looking super stylish at the same time.


Though the bike is not immediately as aesthetically pleasing as the proportionally-correct 3/4 scale Haro, the shape does grow on you. More and more I am being reminded of looking through catalogues and watching videos from that period of BMX - in fact, I may actually have a GT "4130" video that I scored from a contest I organized in 1998.

In terms of its rideability, the first thing that needs attention is the brakes. The Dia Compe MX calipers were weak when new, and definitely don't work after years of sitting. A period-correct Bulldog caliper would probably provide more power, but would be hard to find (though who knows what Don's got hanging around).

Realistically, some new pads would do it well for now, and possibly a removal of the front caliper. In the future, I think a 990 plate would be great; with its aluminum rims, this thing would stop on a dime with modern brakes.

Next, the tires. Though the 16x1.75" Panaracer knobbies are rad, they don't deserve to be skidded out at Brakes practice. 1.95" width Maxxis Hookworms would be unobtrusive and therefore appropriate.

The bars are the widest I've seen on a 16" bike. Though it felt odd when I first jumped on, I'm now almost thinking they aren't that bad. In terms of period-correctness, they have a nice bend, and would be more comfortable than the Haro's 3/4 scale bars for riding any significant distance.

Overall, this bike was an awesome score. With a some cleaning, repacking, and a few new parts, Simon will want to ride it wherever he goes - including at this year's Mini Bike Winter Olympics in Portland. Hello, Zoobomb!

Retro-Direct

This is the first time I've seen a retro-direct bike on the CL. What a weird contraption; I wonder what else Richmond Cycle's unloading.

Hollywood Holt - Throw a Kit

"moped + ape hangers = easy sex" - Zombie Carl

lollerpegz

You want silly new products?!?!
WELL DO I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU.

This is the SPILLJUICE SUICIDE ROLLER PEG!



YEAH!



Without actually trying this product, here are my thoughts:

PROs:
-can 'grind' anything
(...and I put 'grind' in single quotes because you won't get that satisfying grinding sound that is associated with grinding)

CONs:
-$49 USD PER PEG
-ice and toothpicks become MUCH harder
-cannot incorporate any flatland tricks
-heavier than a normal peg
-dropping the bike on them will surely blow out the cartridge bearings
-no more sparks (the best thing about grinding at night)
-the anodized aluminum will look like crap after rolling along a concrete ledge
-its already been done (by Fishbone)

Sure, there are some gnar ledges around town I wouldn't mind hitting, but I know I wont even slide if I get onto them. I guess I could drop $100 to try... Or maybe if Spilljuice wants to send Proj-B a set for evaluation, we could attempt that block long horizontal rail at Victoria Park. uhh yeah. Next step, ultra-lite suicide loller PLEGS?

At this point I should probably note that my MacNeil heat treated 4130 pegs are still going strong after 4 years of use.

This is exactly the sort of product/company that makes me think I should be designing BMX parts. Do it better.

rollin'

All kinds of awesome. I keep thinking about this, and the legality of it.

According to section 119 of the BC MVA:
"cycle" means a device having any number of wheels that is propelled by human power and on which a person may ride and includes a motor assisted cycle, but does not include a skate board, roller skates or in-line roller skates;

The Ontario Ministry of Transport says:
A bicycle is a vehicle that:
-has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
-is designed to be propelled by muscular power
-has no age restriction for operators
-can be operated on most roadways (e.g., not allowed to travel on 400 series highways)
-cannot be operated across a roadway within a pedestrian cross-over

A "low-speed vehicle" means a vehicle, other than an all-terrain vehicle, a truck or a vehicle imported temporarily for special purposes, that:
-is powered by an electric motor,

Okay, so its not a bicycle, and its not a Low speed vehicle.. so what is it?

Slow moving vehicles
(2) The following are slow moving vehicles:
1. Farm tractors and self-propelled implements of husbandry.
2. Vehicles (other than bicycles, motor assisted bicycles and disabled motor vehicles in tow) that are not capable of attaining and sustaining a speed greater than 40 kilometres per hour on level ground when operated on a highway. 1994, c. 28, s. 1.

Slow moving vehicle sign
76. (1) No person shall operate a slow moving vehicle on a highway unless a slow moving vehicle sign is attached, in accordance with the regulations,
(a) to the rear of the slow moving vehicle, if no trailer, implement of husbandry or other device is being towed;
(b) to the rear of the rearmost trailer, implement of husbandry or other device that is being towed by the slow moving vehicle, if one or more trailers, implements or other devices are being towed. 1994, c. 28, s. 1; 2002, c. 18, Sched. P, s. 21 (1).

So, According to everything I'm reading here, this car would be perfectly legal to cruise around Toronto if there was an orange triangle on the back. Rad.

For the Roadies

"Hello all that were on the [x] ride today. I had had several reports that there were flats on this ride and people did not have pumps or spares. You must have 2 spare tubes and a pump that works on all rides. No excuses. Secondly, while I was not on the ride I can imagine some of these flats may have been caused by either older worn out tires or riders using race oriented tires. For winter riding it is also mandatory to have all equipment in good working order and the proper equipment. Please replace any tires that are worn or take off race tires and put on winter type heavy duty training tires. Any tire that has the words " race, lite, light, ultralight" etc on the sidewall means they do not stand up to all the debris that is on the side of the road in winter due to rain and snow. Save these for races. Make sure you are prepared for next week as [y] can get angry like a bear." - [z] listserv

Bridge Battle start sequence

The guy in front of me goes down, and I'm just able to steer around his head after clearing the tracks. Haley then hooks her front tire and goes down, followed by Tom.

This was the first pile up on Granville island. The second one was a block down on the next set of tracks.

Lift the front. Slide the back.
I called it.