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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

full of "eh": redline fixed freestyle

after the longest time in development, redline is showing off their stuff for 2011. while i'm not even gonna start on the reline 925 (i dont think it's worth my words- the thing really cheaped out in my opinion), there are 2 models that are worth a look:

(via redline)
gonna be honest here, i had low expections for the urbis. originally, it was supposed to be a 650c fixed freestyle machine- it really turned me off from even noticing. the production model is way different. it uses 700c's, clears 35c tires (looks like it could fit a smidgeon more), runs redline junior bars, and has 36 hole wheels all around. i dont like that it has a disc brake on the front and feel like it's kinda unneccessary- i thought it was a bad idea on the proto. now if youre a little bit more hardcore:

damn, that looks super similar to a bike that shall not be named right now. the chainstay doesnt seem like it clears big big tires, but then again i could be wrong. i really want to see this built; i'm on the fence with both of these models. convince me otherwise.

jmik

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Urbis originally a 650c bike? I've ridden the original mockup several times. Never had 650's, maybe it was just talk. Brakes just make sense and w/ the BMX pots mod you can still do bar spins. Anyone with a brain can take it off, so why not include it for people who like to stop quickly or do old school front brake endos?

As far as looking like a "bike that shall not be named right now", Redline has been doing gussets, etc. on BMX bikes since the 70's. Can't believe you are implying ripoff from modern bikes that are simply using BMX styles that have been around for decades. Redline has deep BMX roots that can't be denied.

Ekajnitram said...

Yeah the 925 is not meant for freestyle, trust me. Mine is dying right now.
As far as the Urbis, I've been skeptical, I rode one recently and it's pretty sturdy, but isn't as maneuverable as I would like.

and the Urbis frame set, yeah it does look a lot like the Leader Shadow, It's the wishbone seatstays and gusset. I'm curious to see one built. Basicly It looks to me like they took ques from their MTB line and added it to their Fixed line. I'll reserve judgement till I ride one or hear from someone who has. and Redline if you're reading this, I'll test this bitch, just expect me to break it.

J.mika'ele said...

anon: i know redlines history, and yeah they've been doing gussets for a long time. but as far as fixed freestyle goes, the leader made it's whole silhouette and recognition off those kinds of gussets. it's unfortunate that the fixed freestyle world implies that leader had the idea when iut's been here all along. and yeah, it's always going to have that monkey on it's back because of the gussets being so similar on such a similar frame. i pointed the similarity because it wasnt only the gussets that hearken back to the leader, but also the wishbone stay, and the general silhouette... its growing on me...

Ekajnitram: well, keo has been running it and doing their r&d. so in that aspect, as well as the culmination of their experience in bmx, this frame should be one to look out for. oh, and being from redline, it shouldnt be as pricey as the other options. oh, and that 925 id definitely not made for fgfs....

Anonymous said...

I like how my first comment on here is basically me being a dick and you came back cool as the other side of the pillow. I'm sold, cool site, keep up the good work. :)

J.mika'ele said...

anon: hahaha no problem, i may seem like an asshole half the time but i'm primarily here to serve. sure most of my stuff came from other sources, but i like to put whatever i have to say on it (and sometimes that backfires in my face, but i cant help it) thanks for reading, the opinions,and the kind words man!