Name: Chad Johnston
Age: 38
Location: Long Beach, California, USA
Sponsors: S&M, Revenge, Primo, Lotek, Flat Clothing, inTRIKat
Frame: S&M LAF 19″ Top Tube, 13.75″ Chain Stay (Coming Soon: LTF 19″ Top Tube, 13.65″ Chain Stay)
Fork: Bizhouse, Aerospace (Zero degree offset.)
Bars: Ronin, Big E’s (8″ rise, 23″ wide, minimal sweep.)
Stem: Quamen, Macross with four 1/4″ spacers underneath.
Grips: Bizhouse, Gym Rings (22 on each side.)
Barends: Revenge, Plastic
Headset: FSA, Impact
Clamp: S&M
Seatpost: MacMeil, Pivotal
Seat: Primo, Pivotal
Cranks: Primo, Power Bites 170mm, Titanium Spindle
Sprocket: Fit, 27t
Chain: KMC
Front Tire: Primo, Comet 1.75″ (Kevlar belt.)
Front Wheel: Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite Rim 36h, Fly Hub w/ Primo Jewels, radial laced
Rear Tire: Primo, Comet 1.75″ (Kevlar belt.)
Rear Wheel: Primo, Balance Rim 36h with Nankai Freecoaster 11t (34 Black Primo Spokes, 1 Red Primo Spoke and 1 Yellow Primo Spoke). Three cross laced.
Pedals: Primo, Plastic Stricker
Brakes: Lotek, Mike size 8.5
Modifications/Other/Extras: Dragonfly cone nuts/14mm dropout adapters on Nankai 3/8″ axle.
Which parts do you go through the most? Shoes and tires.
Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…
I like my bike to feel solid and responsive. I need a bike that fits. I like to ride the same set-up for a long time so it always feels right, even if I don’t ride for a couple of days I like to get back on and have it feel natural and ready to go. I’d rather have strength over extreme lightweight. I like a clean, minimal feeling bike, just the basics, steering, seating, transmission, and two 20s framed with a classic double-triangle design.
What part are you most particular about or do you feel makes the biggest difference on your bike?
Bald, narrow tires, and forks with a long steer tube.
Do you remember your first “real” BMX bike?
Yes.1980 Huffy Pro Thunder, black and yellow. I recently rebuilt it. My first freestyle bike was a 1984 Haro Freestyler; I wish I had that thing still! Ha ha.
What do you bring out with you to a typical session?
Water and ID, again the basics. I don’t like to ride around with much in my backpack. I live close to my ride spots, so I can walk home if I need repairs.
Are you particular about the pressure in your tires?
Yes. With these tires, 90-95psi is good on most surfaces.
Tell us about your frame from S&M, most people haven’t seen a 19″ LAF.
It’s not really custom, but definitely limited. There’s a small batch of 19″ LTF’s on the way as you read this. Call S&M, Flatland Fuel or Dan’s Comp and ask them for one now before they’re gone. They’re too good. It’s very stable and responsive at the same time. I’ve been riding this frame for months and there are no signs of weakening.
Check out Chad’s old interview about riding flatland without pegs here.
Here’s a new video of Chad’s riding from Jomopro ’09.
TAGS: Bike Check, Chad Johnston, Flatland, Pegless Flatland
