Did they build this especially for you? No, it was in production before I became involved with them. What do you like best about your bike? The length; and for chromoly it’s really stiff. How tall are you? 6’6″. Does your bike have a name? No (laughter). Does your bike go in the house or does it stay in the garage? Carter (Holland – John’s roommate who races single-A pro) won’t let me bring it in the house (laughter). It has to stay in the garage (laughter). How much do you think it’s worth? It’d have to be around $2,500 with those wheels and everything. How is it different than your XXXL Pro Concept? The head tube angle is one degree slower, but I’m really happy with it. It reminds me of the bike I came over here (to the USA) with. What was that? A Reynolds Wrap 42. This is a production model…are they going to build anything specifically for you? Yeah, the back end’s going to be a little bit shorter. I was going to have them lower the bottom bracket, but I’ve grown to like it; it powers really well out of the gate. What do you think the bike does especially well? Turning wise, it’s really good. Picking up the front end is actually a little better because it’s more stable once you get it up. As far as when you’re getting on the gas, it gives you a little bit better drive; it keeps your front wheel on the ground. Was it hard making the switch from aluminum to chromoly? Yeah; the weight was a problem at first and getting used to the frame moving just a little bit because aluminum doesn’t move at all. Do you think the little bit of flex is a good thing? Yes, I don’t think it helps with your snap, but I do think it helps with your second through fifth pedals. Any idea when you’ll get your custom bike? 26th of December it should be ready. I should be on it for the ABA Reno, Nevada race. How did you get them to change it? I spoke to them at the trade show and I was really worried because the way they had it set up it was really low and I didn’t like it at all and I said, “If we’re going to do this you guys are going to have to make me something I like.” So they sent me the BGR and it was too tempting not to ride so…(laughter). I grew to like it. How long did it take you to get used to it? Probably about two weeks. I think it was the weight change and the material change, from aluminum to chromoly. Are you going to stay with flat pedals? No, unfortunately clips are a necessity these days. I’m keeping it real except for that, but as Chad Roberts says, “They’ve got chromoly spindles in them (laughter).” How does it jump? It jumps really well; it’s really stable. Actually the first time I rode it was down at Sheep and I was over-jumping everything on my first run through so the weight adds a little more carry to it, which is really good. I should be able to run this bike at the Triple Crown; I won’t have to switch from one bike to another. What races are you going to this year? All the ABA’s; I haven’t decided yet which Triple Crowns I’m going to and I’ll be hitting the TV-covered NBL races like the Easter Classic, South Park, and probably even the Grands. If there are conflicting weekends, do you go with Triple Crown events? Yeah. So Profile is a frame/component sponsor and System’s West is the company that pays for the airline tickets, the hotels, rental cars and all that? Yeah, they take care of all my expenses, and take care of me in other ways too¿like helping me live (laughter). Troy Lee is my clothing sponsor for this year. Other co-sponsors? S&M for my bars, Atomic for my pedals and sprocket, which is really good. TThis is one of the only sprockets I don’t bend. Cane Creek for my brakes, Dope numberplates, Troy Lee for my pads, ODI for grips, Sun for my rims, and Thompson seat posts. How did you get hooked up with System’s West? Actually it was really cool; I had just lost my ride with Pro Concept and I was getting ready to go on a tour back East and Greg from Troy Lee told them about me and they called me out of the blue. It was really cool. They’re a computer company. Why do they want to get into BMX? They’re a computer company, but they also do Web design. They’re doing Redline’s Web site now, they’re advertising and steping into the market that way. They’ve got myself and Jamie Lilly, plus we’ve got eight amateurs on the team also. Are you going to do both UCI and ABA’s Worlds? Not sure yet, but definitely UCI Worlds¿they’re going to be huge this year, as they are every year in America.
Bike:
Frame: Profile BGR; 4130 chromoly
Forks: Odyssey Pro Race (made from proprietary 41 Thermal 4130 chromoly)
Headset: Dia-Compe Aheadset
Stem: DK Pro XXL
Bars: S&M Slam
Grips: ODI Lock-On
Rims: Sun Rhynolites, 36-hole
Hubs: Profile Cassette, 16-tooth freewheel
Spokes: Stainless steel
Tires: Comp III’s; Front: 20″ x 2.125″, rear: 20″ x 1.75″
Cranks: Profile sealed bearing, 4130 chromoly, 185mm
Sprocket: Atomic, 44-tooth
Pedals: Atomic Flatboy, sealed w/replaceable pins
Chain: Sedis Sport 3/32″
Brakes: Cane Creek Direct Curve 2
Brake Lever: Cane Creek
Seat: Profile (made by SDG)
Seat Post: Thompson
Seat Post Clamp: Profile
Pads: Troy Lee Designs
Plate: Dope
Extras: Atomic chain tensioners
Dimensions
Top tube length: 22″
Head tube angle: 74 degrees
Seat tube angle: 73 degrees
Bottom bracket height: 11-5/8″
Chainstays: 16″
Wheelbase: “Around 40 inches”
