Rolling in the steep

Rolling in the steep.

Rolling in the street.

With apologies to Adele, this new 22″ frame and fork kit from Anthem Bikes, The JIB, is ready to shred the streets.

With the majority of current 22″ bikes geared to dirt, the field was wide open for a company to build something more street focused.

It looks like Anthem might just be that company!

anthem-jib-22-inchframe-and-fork-kit

Featuring a steep 76 degree head angle, short-ish 13.97″ chainstay and 12.71″ bottom bracket…this is — no doubt — going to be one very responsive street jib machine (hence the name?)

Brakeless and set up with chainstay grind plates, you know the streets are going to be where this ride is really going to shine.

Things are definitely starting to get interesting in the 22″ game!

 

(Pic: 22-inch BMX)

DK busts out the 22″ Vega for 2017

Among all the news coming out of Interbike, some really big news dropped the week of the show from a company that wasn’t even at Interbike.

That news (if you missed it on the Big and Tall BMX Facebook page) is that DK’s releasing a 22″ complete called the Vega for 2017!

dk-vega-22

We’re talking a full cro-mo (frame, fork & bars) complete with all sealed components for $449 (US).

Dang.

Here’s some other highlights:

  • Top tube: 22 1/8″
  • Chain stay: 14″
  • Cranks: 170mm
  • Bars: 8.8″

Those tapered fork legs are pretty nice too.

Here’s Matt Bischoff walking through the features.

Tire choice is a big thing for 22″ completes (given it’s “emerging market” status) and the Vega has got you covered with an Innova low-profile knobby tire.  Innova tires have had a bit of a mixed reputation in the 22″ world but this tire looks like a much improved tire over previous Innova 22′ iterations.

innova-tire-dk-vega-22

All in all, an impressive package from the good folks at DK.

I had heard a while back that they were considering a 22″ and it’s great to see it finally make it into the lineup.

Looking forward to seeing it when it hits shops in November.

 

(All pics: DK Bicycles)

A closer look at the FIT BF22

Last week’s Interbike show provided the perfect opportunity to check out the much anticipated FIT BF22.

S&M/FIT had teased it would be there in the days leading up to the show and I was anxious to check it out.

However, it wasn’t going to be Interbike when I would first get to check it out.

Trying to make the most of my trip, I had tacked on a couple days to visit Austin.

Of course, no BMXer’s trip to Austin is complete without a trip to Empire BMX.

While I was casually perusing the goods there I asked about the new BF22 and when it would be in the store.

Turns out it was already in the store!

The sales guy suggested I take it down from the display and take a closer look.

Not needing more of an invitation then that I promptly pulled it down.

And took it for a spin (in the store).

Does it ever ride nice!

fit-bf22-empireRoomy and comfortable (I’m 6′ 3″) this bike felt like a super-sized 20.

(Check out the complete specs here.)

When I finally got to Interbike, I made a beeline to the S&M booth and found it proudly displayed.

fit-bf22-side-interbikeI snapped a few more pics…just to be thorough (and of course, to check it out again).

fit-bf22-front-interbikePeep those Speedball tires.

I think these completes are gonna go like hot cakes.

For more Interbike coverage, click over to Cruiser Revolution.

Kyle Forte shreds KF22 in new vid

We checked out Kyle Forte’s new United signature model, the KF22, a couple weeks back and took note of Kyle’s claim that it would hold special appeal to tall riders.

We didn’t doubt Kyle on that, but the real question we wanted to know is…how does it ride?

Well, Kyle provides the answer in this new promo vid for the KF22.

He flat out shreds on it.

Check it.