RIDE INTERVIEW RE-UP

When you and the Cult crew started making products, how did you decide what you were going to make first? Was it that you saw a need for a better stem, sprocket, peg, etc.? Or were those the easiest to get off the ground right away? Explain your thought process…

There are a number of factors that went into hard good product range. With our backs pushed to the wall, we put together a line of parts that are essential to any legitimate BMX brand. For the company to maintain we must stay relevant, and also make money. The idea of adding ‘better’ parts to the market is not the best way of describing it. This company is in no way about “reinventing the wheel” per say. It’s actually more of appreciation for classic looking BMX parts. Evolution and technology come from a real disingenuous place in the current world we live in, and the only goal of this company is to crush that idea. Neal Wood has a lot of really great ideas, and he’s applying his knowledge with current technology to bring you the most genuine bike parts on the market. Less flash, more strength. We as a crew all firmly stand behind this.

The Cult parts and frames are super basic in look, function, and colors—explain your reasons behind this…
Reaction to current market, distaste for mindless over-branding. Tired of parts looking like bad science projects.

Do you have any plans right now to do different colors in the future? Or are you going to stick with raw, polished, and black for a while?
At this point there are no plans for any specific colors. The unpainted frame fits well with the aesthetic of the whole brand in general. It’s our first big offering in the rawest form possible—no paint jobs to hide behind. Stripped down for you to see the welds, see the tubing, and understand where your bike came from.
“Riding your bike makes you better, not worrying about your geometry.”

The two frames are interesting to me. Explain how they are different, why you chose to make them different in those ways, and why a rider may prefer one instead of the other.
The two different American-manufactured frames are only slightly different. Given their individual capabilities, the Solid welded frames feature a single-bend chain stay (that allows big tires), and the FBM welded frames cater to a bigger rear tire with s-bend chain stays. Cosmetically, the head tubes and gussets have some slight differences.

I know that Solid and FBM are “machine shops,” but they are known for being bike companies. Do you find it weird that your bike company is advertising that your frames are made by another bike company?
Do you find it weird to support your friends? Do you find it weird to support your community?

Between yourself, Neal Wood, and the team riders, who all had a hand in designing the frame?
Neal’s title is “Skull Fucker,” he will slay all work in his path. Neal is trained as a mechanical engineer, he offers the mechanical and CAD input, while everyone else gives their personal taste.

How has the team responded to only having one frame in the lineup instead of several to choose from?
Thankfully, everyone on the team is so good that it really doesn’t matter what they ride. If you’re a young kid reading this, you should take that into consideration: riding your bike makes you better, not worrying about your geometry.

What is the next part(s) on your agenda to make?
Rubber products.
4/22/10