Rickey Bates Bike Check

FatTony

May 07 2009
5,754 views
3 comments

Name: Rickey Bates
Age: 22
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 185lbs
Location: Casselberry, Florida
Sponsors: Sputnic, Shadow, Mesh Skatepark, Banned, James Covington

Frame: Sputnic, “The Vow” Johnny Devlin signature, 21″
Fork: Shadow Creeper
Bars: Shadow Vultus
Stem: Old, first-ever made Shadow top load.
Grips: Shadow Ol’ Dirty
Barends: Shadow plastic
Headset: Sputnic
Clamp: Shadow
Seatpost: Shadow Umbre
Seat: Old Shadow Slim
Cranks: Sputnic, seriously best cranks.
Sprocket: Shadow Lighter
Chain: Shadow Interlock
Brakes: Old, crap brakes.
Cable: Shadow
Brake Lever: Odyssey
Front Tire: Shadow Beltor, 2.215″
Front Wheel: Shadow rim and hub
Rear Tire: Shadow Undertone, 1.195″
Rear Wheel: Shadow rim with 48h Shadow Raptor hub
Pedals: Shadow Nostra sealed
Hug Guard: Shadow prototype
Pegs: Sputnic Hammer pegs

Modifications/Other/Extras: Shadow front hub guard, paper machete.

Which parts do you go through the most? Grips, spindles, and spokes.

Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…
Everything usually kinda beat up, loose, and nice and worn in. The parts wear in and bend to get to the position they feel most comfortable. I like things a little heavier and stronger, don’t really like the feel of light bikes.

What part are you most particular about or do you feel makes the biggest difference on your bike?
I don’t notice anything like that really, but the only thing I care about is my seat angle.

Do you remember your first “real” BMX bike?
Yeah, a Mongoose Villan.

How did you get the idea to do your bike and how did you do it?
I was bored and didn’t have any spray paint, so I glued a bunch of pictures to it.

Why do you have such an old stem?
It’s nice, strong, heavy, and top load. I don’t wanna mess with real light cut outs—not worth the risk, and I like how big and thick it looks. (Pro homo.)

What is your favorite setup to ride?
I like to ride fast gaps and wallrides, and rails, and big downhill trails.