Monthly Archive for January, 2010

Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Tyler Johnson. I was born in San Diego, CA and currently reside in WA.

How long have you been riding fixed and how long have you been into tricks?
I got into fixed gear riding for the trick aspect of it almost exactly 2 years ago. I saw the video of Keo from Cadence and it got me super stoked on it.

Are you talking about the ‘Introducing Keo’ video?
Yea probably. Its the one with the super gansta music. Before that I hadn’t really seen much in the way of track bikes or fixed gears.

That video is great. I think it was one of the first trick videos I saw too.
Yea it’s sick. He was so insanely ahead of his time. Well I guess thats obvious since he invented the tricks, and although we are moving more BMX, that style definitely paved the way for people to get into fixed gears. That and MASH.

Yeah, he’s pretty inspiring.
He’s definitely what got me into riding fixed, but I draw most of my inspiration from BMX. The opportunities for tricks are endless on BMX, and people are super creative. I’d say now BMX is what makes me want to get out and ride.

Do you ride BMX too?
When I get the chance. I dont have a bmx bike setup. I have some race parts and frame scattered in my garage. Mostly I just ride if Taylor Sizemore brings his out when we are riding.

What’s your bike set up like? I know you were running a 650 front forever, but from what I’ve seen floating around the internet, that may have changed.
I have the v1.5 with v2 fork. 700c Eero laced up to profile 3/8 hubs front and rear. I am running 35c tires, but just ordered 40cs. They should be here next week. Other than that its the same. I have a little wider bars now to help with drop impact.
Sounds like a really solid set up. Do you still commute on it?
Umm, sometimes if I want to shred on the way to work. Mostly I will ride my Sizemore so I can wear like something other than sneaker and jeans.

Makes sense.
Yeah its just easier. Less sweaty. Has gears.

So, are you working on any new tricks? How are those deathtrucks coming?
Not really working on anything new just enjoying riding around. Bike is setup for cmx now. Its a little harder to do the deathtruck. I haven’t really been trying to do them.

If I remember correctly, you went to Europe for The Revival?
Yes, it was the best experience of my life. Everyone over there is super cool, and there are a lot of young kids who are super pumped on it.

Awesome. Do you plan on doing any riding related traveling this year?
Yes, definitely. There are a few trips planned. Nothing is confirmed yet though. I am definitely hitting the next competition that is held. Well, the next one I am feeling. I had work and school so I couldn’t make it to Milwaukee.

Do you have anyone you want to holler at or thank?
I’d like to thank Leader, Profile Racing, Coal Headwear, HPLUSSON, all my buds in Seattle, and Wayne Morhart.

I’m sure almost everyone that tricks on a fixed gear knows who you are, but go ahead and introduce yourself anyway.
My name is Edward LaForte. I’m from Staten Island New York, and I’m 20 years old.

I know you’ve said it before, but why fixed, not BMX?
Umm, one man moving machine, period.

Hah good answer. Do you even own a BMX bike?
Yes I do I have a FBM Howler all laced up, but I recenly passed it off to my 10 year old brother.

So, on the subject of BMX, do you think that with all of this progression our bikes are going to end up nothing like track bikes and more like big bmx bikes?
Well, that’s already happened. Take a look at the top rider’s bikes; 40c or above, BMX
cranks, half link chains, yeah we’ve gone there already.

I want know about a bit about your bike. What size tires, gearing, how wide are you bars? I heard you run really short crank arms too.
I run 160 profile cranks on my BMX bike and my fixed. I never cut my bars and I run 39/15 with 47c tires.

Those are some big tires. The Kilroy fits them pretty easily?
You can fit up to like 52/53 on the Kilroy. The back end is WIDE!

That Kilroy seems pretty solid. You’re on a production model now, right?
Numero uno.

Nice. It’s been holding up well huh?
BOMB PROOF GUSSETLESS.

They’re pretty expensive though, you think a lot of people are going to get behind them?
I know a few people have ordered one. I mean, you pay for what you’re getting. It’s all Columbus tubing specially made for what wer’e doing and the bike’s beautiful.

You were in Tokyo recently, correct? I see a lot of strange looking set ups and some really fast riding going on over there. What do you think about the Japanese style?
I think there riding style is really cool, but they need to take it off the ground more.

About style…A lot of fixed riders just copy what everyone else is doing. Are you working on anything that hasn’t been seen yet? Any new lines?
Just watch Death Pedal 2. I’ll keep my lines to myself.

Ha, fair enough.

It seems like some people are only into one type of riding. I feel like it’s important to have a diverse style that’s a mix of BMX inspired riding and riding that uses the fixed drivertrain. What do you think?
I think all of the riding is fixed drive train. Everything is inspired from something. F*ck a diverse style I’m gonna do whatever I feel feels good.

I see a lot of kids getting props for hitting tricks that are way sketchy. You think they deserve it? Even if the trick is new/fresh?
No trick is fresh until you land it fresh. Don’t put it out if you land all wobbly.

It seems like a lot a of the big names in the ’sport’ have been getting away from the fakie side of riding. What about you? What do you think about it?
I never rode fakie and I’ve been saying fuck riding backwards, shit is weak!

Is there anyone that you look up to for their riding? Who are your favorite fixed freestyle dudes?
Um, I started a while ago so I guess my friends. Tom Lamarche, Sam Miller and my best friend Torey. I dont really look up to anyone. Oh hell yeah, and Tyler Johnson

The Banks are closing soon right? You ride there a lot?
I ride everywhere in NY a lot

That’s good. Riding just one spot would get boring. What’s your favorite type of stuff to ride?
Handrails

Yeah? You’ve hit some?
Just two, but recently I’ve figured some things out so you’ll see a lot more, pegless.

That’s awesome. Do you grind driveside?
Yessir, righty

Me too. It’s weird for me to think of a pegless driveside grind on a rail.
You’ll see.

Will I see it in DP2?
Nope. Maybe in a Wrahw exclusive.

What do you think the 2010 holds for fixed freestyle? What do you want to see in 2010?
Road trips, make new friends and have a great time.

Any shout outs or thanks you want to give?
CHARI AND CO, THE ILLEST ONLINE SHOP/SHOP ON THE PLANET.