Javier Ortega Bike Check

FatTony

• August 22 2009
• 16,531 views
• 8 comments

Name: Javier Ortega Gomez
Age: 26 year old.
Location: Between heaven and hell…. Malaga, Spain.
Sponsors: Flybikes, Etnies shoes, Vinyl BMX, and Golden Days tattoo studio.

Frame: Flybikes Pantera 21.25″
Fork: Flybikes Pantera
Bars: Flybikes Luna.
Stem: Flybikes
Grips: Flybikes Fino
Barends: Flybikes plastic
Headset: Flybikes
Seatpost: Flybikes
Seat: Flybikes Fino
Cranks: Flybikes, 180mm
Pedals: Flybikes Ruben
Sprocket: Flybikes, 29t
Chain: KMC
Front Tire: Flybikes Ruben, 20.25″
Front Wheel: Flybikes rim and hub with DT black spokes and nipples.
Rear Tire: Flybikes Ruben, 20.15″
Rear Wheel: Flybikes rim, Profile Mini hub with 9t left hand drive and ti axle with DT black spokes and nipples.

Modifications/Other/Extras: Cut out brake lever, cut out of the Flybikes brake triangle and welded extensions in my Luna bar.

Which parts do you go through the most?
I guess tires, tubes, chains, and grips.

Do you work on your own bike?
Yeah, I like to work on my own set up.

Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…
My set up is pretty much… long bike, long cranks, hard gear (29/9) tight chain, straight wheels, long grips, a good feeling brake, and grippy pedals with all the pins on them! Also, two pegs, low seat, and left hand drive cassette hub.

What part are you most particular about or do you feel makes the biggest difference on your bike?
Long frames.

Do you remember your first “real” BMX bike?
Hell yeah!!! Standard STA 21 inches! Haha! Still somewhere around Malaga.

Do you think about or plan out the overall look and colors of your bike before you build them up?
Yeah, my bikes are always the same set up but different colors, and it’s fun to play with them and try to picture them in your head to get a cool combination.

With a longer top tube than most other tall riders’ bikes, in your opinion, what are some advantages to riding the bigger bike?
When I started to ride I got a 21″ bike so I guess that for me is my standard size and I keep it up… I’ve been riding for like 11 years and 10 of them with 21″ bikes ’till Flybikes decided to make the past year the Pantera in 21.25″… For me it is like bars… I can’t go back and get smaller bars! Haha… I am not a tall guy, but for me it feels awesome to ride long bikes; for example, at the trails it feels like slow motion sometimes. I mean, the bike is longer so the moves are slower than with a shorter bike. It also feels good for big jumps or airs. The only problem is when you are riding tight and fast trannys it is way harder because the bike doesn’t fit on it, but I guess you just need to get use to it.

How is filming for the new Fly video going and trips you have been doing this year?
I haven’t filmed anything yet because I’ve been hurt for a while-from October of last year ’till the end of February. I broke my collarbone fisrt, then one little bone in my right wrist, but I’m already healed and ready to film for my Flybikes video part. About trips… I was invited on the Etnies vs Kink Props Road Fools, so I went and it was such a fun time and an awesome experience. I also went on one trip in Galicia (where Flybikes was born) to hang out with some friends from Malaga. Pretty much my trip time starts right now in the summer. There are a lot of them coming soon.

*All photos provided by Fly Bikes.