Name: Tony Hamlin
Age: 25
Height: 5′ 5″
Weight: 145lbs
Location: Rochester, NY
Sponsors: Etnies Shoes, Kink Bikes, Dan’s Comp, and Bad Timing
All photos by Fat.
Frame: Kink Solace, 20.5″
Fork: Kink Empire
Bars: Kink Solace
Stem: Kink Bold
Grips: Kink Delta
Barends: Kink
Headset: Kink
Seatpost: Kink Stump
Seat: Kink Solace Copper
Cranks: Kink Pillar
Sprocket: Kink, 25t
Chain: Shadow Half Link
Front Tire: Kink prototype, 2.3″
Front Wheel: Kink prototype front hub with dual plastic hub guards laced to Kink Orion rim.
Rear Tire: Kink prototype, 2.3″
Rear Wheel: Kink prototype rear hub, 8t, laced to Cinema rim.
Pedals: Mission plastic
Hub Guard: Primo drive side hub guard and Kink plastic.
Pegs: Animal Butcher pegs with sleeves.
Modifications/Other/Extras:
None, I run everything stock, and that might be a first for my bike.
Which parts do you go through the most?
Grips and sleeves for my pegs.
Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…
High, small, light, but solid! As long as she roles, I’m not too picky, but if my bike feels like crap, I feel like crap on it.
What part are you most particular about or do you feel makes the biggest difference on your bike?
Bars, grips, tires, and frame.
Do you remember your first “real” BMX bike?
A green Dyno VFR. So stoked when I got a Gyro and front brakes on that bad boy. Just did endos in my driveway for hours. What the f**k is an endo?!
Do you normally build up a whole new bike from the ground up, or do you just replace parts as needed?
I just replace stuff as needed. It’s stupid not to ride parts until they are broken or beat. If something is still ridable I’ll give it away to local kids.
Are you particular about how much PSI you run in your tires?
I usually run around 60 PSI and I’ll add more if I’m riding ramps or a nice bowl. For cruising street I like them a bit low to absorb impacts better.
Tell us about your signature frame from Kink…What all did you have in mind when you started designing a frame?
At the time of designing it I was running the Kink Empire Revision C. I basically just modernized the dimensions on it. Steeper headtube (75.5°), shorter backend (13.5″), wider back end, shorter headtube, built-in chain tensioners, and dope one-piece machined seat tube/seat post clamp. I wanted something that was poppy and responsive and I love how it turned out. I also wanted something different graphics-wise and Aaron nailed it with the metal style graphics—something I’ve been into for a long time.
What’s it like getting to run and test a bunch of prototype parts from Kink?
Sometimes it’s awesome, and sometimes it sucks! Prototypes have to be tested, and obviously sometimes they fail and can be at times a huge inconvenience while filming/traveling.
Give us the run down on the other prototype parts you are rocking…what’s new and in the works?
Right now I have a handful of new stuff on my bike from Interbike…New Kink “street” boulevard front hub with double hub guards. Prototype signature Solace bars with 8.65″ rise and 28″ width for the little guys that want the high rise and can still toss the bars with a shorter frame. Prototype rear kink hub, and a sample of my signature seat. So far every thing is solid and I am stoked.
TAGS: Bike Check, BMX Bikes, Kink, Tony Hamlin
