Haro – Fifteen

Nic Long | New Beginnings

Fifteen — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:52:02 +0000

Nic Long | New Beginnings

Do the recent changes in the life of Nic Long stack up to a new BMX perspective …

Nic Long | New Beginnings

Do the recent changes in the life of Nic Long stack up to a new BMX perspective …

There have been lots of recent changes in the life of BMX icon, Nic Long … He’s turned 30 in what looked like one hell of a party, no doubt what appeared on social media was the PG13 edit. He’s also recently got married to Lindsay Pecorino, another epic BMX party … and now Nic has parted ways with long time sponsor, Haro Bikes, to join his father in the Hyper pit.

For us, in the BMX world, it’s the departure from Haro that really made us sit up and take notice. When we thought of Haro, we thought of Nic and vice versa, they were one in the same. It was a strange time for the announcement too, at least we thought so. Nic’s eagerly anticipated signature Citizen frame hadn’t even hit the virtual shelves yet and the upcoming 2020 BMX calendar is not exactly a quiet one … so why now we asked … ‘I honestly always wanted to stay on one team my entire career, and forever be associated with that brand… And I was contracted through 2020 with Haro, and have been blessed to receive the support I have from them over this past decade… However, this deal with Hyper and being able to potentially help my Dad win another Team title trumped that. The opportunity made me realize that the team I wanna forever be associated with, is Family. Life has gone full circle, and I’ve been given the chance to go back to my roots. My Dad gave my sisters and I every opportunity to succeed for the 15 years before Haro and has always had my best interest in mind. I’m lucky to still be good enough to be asked to be on such a World Class team.’

The Hyper deal began when Nic’s dad, Donavon Long, was approached by Hyper to lead a team to a USA BMX Factory Team Title, and Nic understands why … ‘it would be hard to argue that he isn’t one of the best team managers to ever do it … I feel that with the knowledge and experience my dad and myself bring to the table, this will be just the beginning of an unstoppable new force in BMX racing. I’m honored he still believes in me enough to contribute.’

‘I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Hyper Bike Company. This sport has given our family so many great opportunities and today we step into the future with Hyper. The team riders are excited to be representing an iconic BMX brand, and I am excited to be able to have my son Nic Long in the program. Look for us at the track as we build this sport together.’ – Donavon Long.

While, obviously, priority number one is to race, Nic has yet to fully flush out his role in Hyper … ‘I’m a team rider… I’m on the team to help bring scores to the team sheet. However, I’m sure I’ll happily mentor and guide some of the younger riders…. as BMX is still one of the only sports where top pros/Olympians/National Champions all get to spend time together with the youth on a regular basis. I believe I’ll also be doing some driving and team pit sets ups, but that’s nothing new to me as I’ve been doing that longer than I’ve been winning races.’ Hyper’s main goal in 2020 will be the USA BMX Team title, and while Nic is in lockstep with that, he will also be looking to stretch his legs further afield, ‘The Tangent ProAms are some of my favorite events, so I’ll be at as many of those as possible and some personal goals include showing face at as many World Cups as possible and still getting in the mix. I wouldn’t mind another couple WC main event appearances and to qualify for the Worlds team. The Olympics may be a long shot, but I’ve got the experience to pull a rabbit outta my hat.’ Nic told us. Predictably, Hyper has a new frame ‘currently in the works’ for Nic, he’s spent a long time on his custom sized Haro and remarked, you ‘can’t race a frame like mine and just jump on to a standard XXL and be expected to perform’ … dates for the new Hyper are still under wraps.

Do all these changes, the birthday, the wedding, Hyper, in the life of Nic Long imply a new outlook, new priorities, a new beginning of sorts for the man who definitely parties as hard as he races? Well, Nic’s not quite ready to admit that … ‘A lot has happened in the past couple weeks I suppose haha, but I’m not chasing anything different than the last decade as Elite… I’m just a racer through and through, and my goals are to just try my hardest to be the best version of myself. I don’t think I’ve much changed at all. I mean, besides hitting level 3, and now being fortunate enough to find myself a wife as special and loving as Lindsay… You’ll still see me making rude faces for Craig Dutton and Jerry when they get their cameras out, the first one at every after party (or at least most memorable one), and quickest to say good luck or congrats to any and everyone who wins (or next to in the gate, or just cause I haven’t seen them in months). As for priorities, I recon they are similar to before, represent the brands that back me to the best of my abilities, remain one of everyone’s favorite (The Peoples Champ), and lastly, BUT most importantly, Show up to every event with the right attitude, a positive state of mind, and as prepared as humanly possible.’

But, as always, you have to go to the top to get the full inside story, so we asked the new Mrs. Long, Lindsay told us … ‘I think it was very bittersweet for him, he loved being on Haro and everyone from the company. He always wanted to have his whole Pro career with Haro, but he’s very excited about this new opportunity with Hyper and especially being back racing for his father. I think that will be a positive step in his racing. He’s had a few rough years recently. He gets in his own head a lot and after the 2016 Rio Olympic’s, that was a huge upset. He’s such a humble and positive person and wouldn’t let anyone see, but who wouldn’t be affected by that. Plus, constant injuries kept occurring. He always kept positive, but it was affecting his racing results for sure. I think now especially since we don’t have to worry or think about the wedding anymore, he’s focused. Yea, he is one of the oldest in the Elite class right now, so he has to work a little harder to keep it up, but it’s not stopping him. He still has a lot of drive and fight in him, he’s not done. So, I do think we are in the midst of a new beginning and fresh start. I for sure believe in him and know he has a lot more to offer and show what he still has.’

With the move to Hyper, Nic has undoubtably started a new chapter in his BMX story but we believe there are many more chapters still to be written. There are more Elite finals in his future, and he’s not ruling out Vet Pro at home or a Master’s assault at the Worlds … Nic is in it for the long haul … ‘I want to continue making my mark in the sport, that’s my only goal… building my legacy. It may not be full of championships and Number 1 plates, but I believe it’s pretty solid. I hope to race Eric Rupe in 51 and over Expert, even if we are in wheelchairs.’

Follow Nic on: Instagram

Follow Haro Bikes on: Website | Instagram

Follow Hyper Bikes on: Website | Instagram

Photos by Steve Diamond | Kirby Cronk | James Pennucci

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Nic Long | A Day in the Life

Fifteen — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 08:00:21 +0000

Nic Long | A Day in the Life

‘Olympian, animal lover, cook and all around great human, Nic Long takes us along for the ride in a day in his shoes. See what he does to prepare for the next big race and how he keeps himself humble and centered on and off his bike. Huge Thank You to The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for letting us film at the track, to Nic’s Mom for having us over for dinner, and to Lindsay for allowing us to film this ‘Day In The Life’ on her birthday!’ – Haro Bikes

Follow Nic on: Instagram

Follow Haro on: Instagram | Facebook | Website

Nic Long | A Day in the Life

Follow Nic on: Instagram

Follow Haro on: Instagram | Facebook | Website

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Nic’s Long Frame

Fifteen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 18:34:56 +0000

Nic’s Long Frame

Haro’s Nic Long has been at the forefront of Elite BMX racing for an impressively long amount of time, but in his own words, he has been ‘struggling since Rio’ where for two straights everyone thought he was about to win the Olympic gold. But, BMX racing can be cruel, especially at the highest level.

Back then he was on an extra long carbon Haro frame which seemed obvious for a rider of his stature, although, there was a trend towards the longer frame back then too, especially in the world of SX tracks. It seemed to be the philosophy of the Olympicly inclined National Federations, especially in Europe.

Despite that trend, and Nic’s successes, he, at some point, decided to go back to a shorter ‘off the shelf’ Haro Citizen. We can’t remember the exact time frame but we do remember wondering about the thought process behind the decision … then Nic got a disc, and blinded by the new shiny object we forgot about the shorter frame decision, which in hindsight, was the much more interesting change …

Roll around the start of the 2019 USA BMX Pro Series in Black Mountain and Nic is back on the ‘long’ frame, that he rebuilt on a ‘hunch’ … and now we’re really interested in the whole saga again …

Follow Nic on: Instagram

Photos by Derek Betcher | Nic Long | Unknown (Olympic Shot)

15: Before we get to Black mountain can we go back in time a little, to how and why the ‘long frame’ came into existence? Was it something you asked Haro for? Did someone suggest it? Was there testing? How did it all happen …

Nic: It almost all started as a joke really… Having the gate at my house, I grew up doing 100-150 gates a week on top of all my normal track stuff. I think it began cause the gate has some decent pitch but levels out super quick so if I didn’t get everything right I would wheelie a lot of the time… so I ended up having my wheel washers hanging out the back of the frame and it looked heinous. Derek Betcher called me and offered to create a longer rear end to account for it, once I got on Haro. He asked how long I wanted it and I jokingly said ‘I don’t know, 17in?‘ … and that’s how we created it.

15: How long is a ‘long Haro’? We assume it was a custom-built frame just for you?

Nic: The top tube is the same as the standard XXL at 21.75, it’s just the rear-end that’s quite a bit longer.. The standard XXL has a 15in rear-end I believe, where my “long” frame sits at 17.2in to the center. It was never a custom frame really, it has almost always been an added production frame…both aluminium and in the carbon, ironically named the ‘Long’.

15: Besides the extra length was there any other custom geometry involved?

Nic: Unless there’s a difference in the BB height, to account for the extra length… I don’t think so. I only asked for the longer wheelie bar.

15: After having a lot of success on the ‘long’ frame, including Rio, you switched to a standard off the shelf length Citizen, what where the influencing factors that lead you to that decision? This confused us at the time, obviously you had been happy with the ‘long’ geometry … why, Nic, why?

Nic: It was a decision that followed my third back injury … if you can recall, it was 2017 and I had just podiumed day 1 at the USA BMX national in Atlanta. Day 2 however had different results, whereas I ruptured another disc in my lower back without even crashing … simply outta the gate/over the first jump. I then was travelling from Atlanta, to the 2 World Cups in Europe, and I was never able to compete … just drink all the bars dry… hahaha. So, ultimately, I just felt that maybe it was time to try something new and let the old back work a little less. That extra rear-end adds a lot of leverage and will make you work harder to get her moving. I just never seemed to have the same success without it though … so now, here we are.

15: Just out of curiosity, where is your Olympic bike now? At one point you told us you might sell it.

Nic: She’s long gone haha … I did sell it, as I had no use for it. Had I not hit my pedal and kept the lead I had in that Olympic final, then I may be typing up a different story. You can only hold on to a reminder of failure for so long, though it was a super bitchin bike. I believe it is now on display in the Powers Bike shop museum on the east coast.

15: What was the timeframe for the switch back to a standard frame … was it long after Rio? How much shorter was the new frame?

Nic: Was just before the 2017 WC season, actually while I was in route, therefor not allowing me to compete. It’s roughly a 2” difference.

15: While you’ve been ‘struggling since Rio’ you still had successes on the standard frame, did you ever feel truly comfortable on it or was there always ‘something’ not quite right?

Nic: I mean I got used to it rather quick, as I had some special drop outs made which gave me the option of making it a little longer than the standard XXL. Was able to run it around 16” if I wanted. The disc brake, first of all … I was never a fan and I really don’t like the way they look on BMX bikes… BMX is BMX, and it should keep the simple look … However, I used it during the time on the XXL because I thought those break extenders looked worse haha, stuck between a rock and a hard place, I guess.

15: You rebuilt the ‘long’ frame just before the Winter Nationals and you seemed pretty happy, in fact, you are ‘100% convinced that this bike (geometry) is what’s going to keep me relevant’ … what clicked, just the bike or a lot of hard work over the winter? Explain the ‘hunch’!

Nic: Kind of a long story, but ill try to keep it brief… I feel I always work hard and put everything into my training, but was struggling with results and felt shadowed by what happened in Rio. I hoped the shorter bike was eventually going to come around, but after a year or so with not much to show … it always loomed in the back of my head that ‘My Bike’ was the right answer, but I was weary because of my back injuries. So, I continued on with it and tried training with Sam (instead of Kurt) and as much as it was awesome working with such an incredible athlete, it just wasn’t for me … we butted heads a bit, and to me it was more important to just be friends than have a coach/athlete relationship … So, ring around the rosy, I’m back to what I know worked … I’m too old and tired of trying new stuff or testing theories. Working with Kurt again, back on the ‘long’ bike, and shot gunning beers between laps (hahahaha kidding … or am I?) It’s BMX … look good, feel good, ride good … simple as that!

15: So, what are your plans for this year? Will we see you over this side of the Atlantic at the UCI World Cups? Will Haro have you on a newly built ‘long’ Citizen?

Nic: Goal is to get back to where I know I can be. Podiums and having fun. I plan on getting to Manchester 100% as its always one of my favorite WC’s to race, then see where it goes after that. I’m confident in my abilities, and have every opportunity to get it done. A great group of sponsors and team members that know there’s as much left in the tank as I know. As far as something new from Haro, there’s something in the works for some personal colorways for both Brooke and myself… so you’ll just have to stay tuned for the sneak peeks.

15: And after that? Is Tokyo on the cards? Have you thought beyond that?

Nic: I have some contracts that go through 2020 and Tokyo has always been a goal after what happened in Rio…soon as I came across the line, and I had given everything to just give it all away. I knew I needed to keep chopping that tree. It’s the #RoadTo30, but I don’t put an expiration date on talent or hard work. I’m still here cause I fucking love BMX, and everything its given me.

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The Parliament | Nobles and Young

Fifteen — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:51:03 +0000

The Parliament | Nobles and Young

The exploits of Barry Nobles and Khalen Young from about 2011 / 2012 in The Parliament …

Watch ‘Khalen Young Predicts’ > here & here.

The Parliament | Nobles and Young

The exploits of Barry Nobles and Khalen Young from about 2011 / 2012 in The Parliament …

Watch ‘Khalen Young Predicts’ > here & here.

EPISODE 1

EPISODE 2

EPISODE 3

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USA Cycling National Team | Brooke Crain

Fifteen — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:58:24 +0000

USA Cycling National Team | Brooke Crain

Brooke Crain gets selected for the ‘USA Cycling National BMX Supercross Team’

USA Cycling National Team | Brooke Crain

Brooke Crain gets selected for the ‘USA Cycling National BMX Supercross Team’

First off, things we did not know … one, the ‘USA Cycling National Team’ was only officially launched in December 2017, two, the BMX race section of the team is called the ‘BMX Supercross Team’, and three, Brooke Crain was not already included, which seems crazy to us! There are also other names not on the team list that you might have expected to be there … Nic Long for one … but that, probably, is a discussion for another day …

But back to the news at hand, August 1st 2018 see’s Haro’s two-time Olympic finalist, multiple World’s and UCI World Cup finalist Brooke Crain added to the ‘USA Cycling National BMX Supercross Team’. Congratulations Ms. Crain!

Crain’s addition boosts the ‘BMX Supercross’ team to 7 riders.

USA CYCLING BMX SUPERCROSS TEAM

Brooke Crain

Connor Fields

Sean Gaian

Dani George

Corben Sharrah

Mika Shaw

Alise Willoughby

Along with the initial six riders, Crain is now eligible for the benefits that come with selection:

– Direct funding and health insurance.

– Access to U.S. Olympic Training Centers.

– Access to sport performance services: physiology, nutrition, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, technology and sports medicine.

– Access to U.S. Olympic Committee national medical network.

– Support from a USA Cycling Performance Director in partnership with the athlete’s personal coach, professional team, and extended support network.

– Travel support to attend National Team projects, qualifying events, and camps.

– High performance clothing and equipment provided by USA Cycling partners.

Follow Brooke Crain on: Instagram

Photos: Kirby Cronk

OFFICAL USA CYCLING PRESS RELEASE:

August 1, 2018, COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling announced today the addition of seven athletes to the 2018 USA Cycling National Team across multiple disciplines: Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif.) in BMX Supercross; Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C.) and Dakotah Norton (Davidson, Mich.) in Mountain Bike; and Katie Hall (Saratoga, Calif.), Alexis Ryan (Ventura, Calif.), Jonny Brown (Covington, Tenn.), and Taylor Phinney(Boulder, Colo.) in Road. Each rider joins the team based on top results this year that meet the objective performance-based criteria.

“We are excited to be able to extend the benefits of the USA Cycling National Team to additional riders. Having more athletes qualify for support by meeting the challenging objective standards means that our depth as a nation is increasing,” said Scott Schnitzspahn Vice President of Elite Athletics for USA Cycling.

Crain, a two-time Olympian (2012, 2016), finished eighth overall after advancing to the final round at the 2018 UCI BMX World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Her top performance at the World Championship came on the heels of a successful first half of 2018 racing around the U.S. and also qualified her to receive the silver level of support on the National Team.

The 21-year-old Shaw has started the year with two top-5 finishes on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit to date. He claimed silver at the Lošinj, Croatia, stop in April, a recorded a fourth-place finish in downhill at the World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy, in the beginning of July. Shaw also took home a bronze medal at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Snowshoe, W. Va. on July 22.

25-year-old Norton also joins the National Team in downhill after a fifth place finish at the 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Losinj, Croatia in April. Both Shaw and Norton will compete for Team USA in the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switizerland September 5-9.

On the road, one male and two females posted performances to qualify for the National Team. For the women, Hall has been collecting jerseys this year, winning the overall titles at the Joe Martin Stage Race, Tour of the Gila, Redlands Bicycle Classic and finally the Amgen Tour of California, which qualified her for a spot on the National Team at the bronze level of support.

Ryan has recorded several top results on the UCI Women’s WorldTour in 2018. Her fifth place finish at the Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition earned her the bronze level of support on the Team. She also placed second at Women’s WorldTour Ronde van Drenthe, second in Stage 3 of the 2018 Amgen Tour of California and finished fourth in the road race at this year’s U.S. Pro Road National Championships.

Brown made his mark at the 2018 U.S. Championships last month. At 21 years and two months of age, he became the youngest male to win the U.S. Pro Road Race National Championship, claiming the biggest victory of his career in his new hometown of Knoxville and earning him the bronze level of support on the National Team.

In his final race of his 2018 Classics campaign, Phinney crossed the line in eighth-place at Paris-Roubaix. It was the best career finish in the race for the three-time Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016), and he was the first American to finish among the top 10 in the event since 2008. Phinney just completed his second career Tour de France.

2018 USA Cycling National Team Additions:

Jonny Brown (Covington, Tenn.), Road

Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif.), BMX Supercross

Katie Hall (Saratoga, Calif.), Road

Dakotah Norton (Davidson, Mich.), Mountain (Downhill)

Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.), Road

Alexis Ryan (Ventura, Calif.), Road

Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C.), Mountain (Downhill)

In December 2017, USA Cycling announced the launch of the USA Cycling National Team, comprised of individuals who have been identified as top-performing, world-class athletes in their disciplines based on objective performance-based criteria. That criteria is unique to each discipline and is designed to select only those athletes who are performing at the very top of the world in their discipline. The initial National Team announcement featured 51 athletes. Four riders were added in February, and seven more riders join the team now.

Being on the USA Cycling National Team does not provide automatic access to World Championships teams or the Olympics, as those opportunities must be earned according to a clearly defined selection process open to all athletes. However, it does provide year-round access to USA Cycling’s highest level of athlete support, which may include:

Direct funding and health insurance
Access to U.S. Olympic Training Centers
Access to sport performance services: physiology, nutrition, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, technology and sports medicine
Access to U.S. Olympic Committee national medical network
Support from a USA Cycling Performance Director in partnership with the athlete’s personal coach, professional team, and extended support network
Travel support to attend National Team projects, qualifying events, and camps
High performance clothing and equipment provided by USA Cycling partners

USA Cycling has outlined clear athlete development pathways for each discipline to help aspiring athletes of all abilities understand the process and expectations. All information is available on the usacycling.org/team.

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Nic Predicts | 2018 UCI BMX Worlds

Fifteen — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:53:42 +0000

Nic Predicts | 2018 UCI BMX Worlds

June 2018

Photo’s by Kirby Cronk

Nic Predicts | 2018 UCI BMX Worlds

June 2018

Photo’s by Kirby Cronk

It’s almost the final weekend of the 2018 Baku Worlds, late Saturday night will see the best of the best do battle but who will ultimately earn the right to wear the rainbow strips for the next 12 months? We definitely needed predictions … everyone loves predictions! But when we tried to come up with the last eight Elite Men and Women on the gate come Saturday night we couldn’t agree … we could more or less agree on the podium but not the final eight …

We needed someone way more ‘in the know’ than us, someone with the inside scoop, someone who’s in that small group of world class shredders, someone who’s not afraid to say what they think … so, obviously, we hit up USA’s Nic Long … he agreed straight away.

We were surprised that he didn’t include himself, we think he’ll be in the last race on Saturday night … maybe he just didn’t want to tempt fate …

Before we got into the nitty gritty of who’s going to walk away with titles we asked Nic why the European’s, with the exception of both Alise Willoughy and Anthony Dean, have been dominating on the international circuit this year … ‘I don’t think there’s much secret behind it … as in we all train pretty similarly and are top notch in our classes. I think what It comes down to is the ability and opportunities these have gotten to spend time on each of the tracks prior to the races. Most (if not all) major national teams have done camps on the WC tracks prior to each event … which would absolutely aide in results for each event.’

So, who is the Worlds track in Baku going to suit, not many have gotten the chance to ride the new layout prior to the Worlds, ‘The track, to me, looks rather basic but super-fast. It looks like we’re going to be able to really open it up down the first straight and make sure to keep it together through the whole track. So, I think it’ll be suited for someone like Niek and possibly Deano.’

On the Jr. Elite side of the coin, Nic, as you’d probably expect, is not as ‘in the know’ as he is on the Elite gang but since this is a prediction game … ‘Both Bryant White and Jesse Welch are great riders … Bryant’s got a strong head, so I got faith in him making something happen. Plus, he’s a Lakeside boy like me … but I think Izaac Kennedy will win It. Junior Women, not a single clue!’

When we asked Nic to go out on a limb and give us the 8 riders he thinks will be in the Elite Women’s and Men’s finals this year and if we should expect any surprises, like Harmsen in Papendal (until he crashed) … this is the list we got … ‘Joris H. will be fast for sure, but I think Deano will be turning some heads this year … not sure about injuries and not really in order, but …’

Elite Women

Alise Willoughby (Nic’s pick for the win)

Laura Smulders

Saya Sakakibara

Judy Baauw

Brooke Crain

Sarah Walker

Yaroslava Bondarenko

Simone Christensen

Elite Men

Niek Kimmann (Nic’s pick for the win)

Joris Daudet

Anthony Dean

Twan van Gendt

David Graf

Sylvain Andre

Corben Sharrah

Evgeny Komarov

Do you agree with Nic’s predictions? Let us know on our Facebook or Instagram feeds!

Follow Nic Long on: Instagram | Twitter

Watch the Worlds Elite action unfold LIVE on Fifteen

>> HERE <<

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Nic Long | Bite size vlogs

Fifteen — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:04:26 +0000

Nic Long | Bite size vlog

Haro’s Nic Long is documenting his 2018 race season in these easy to digest size vids …

Nic Long | Bite size vlog …

Haro’s Nic Long is documenting his 2018 race season in these easy to digest size vids …

01 | NIC LONG | Stop 1 – Phoenix, AZ

01 | NIC LONG | Stop 2 – Oldsmar, FL

NIC LONG | Subscribe to YouTube Channel >>

Follow Nic Long on: Instagram | Twitter

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Haro USA Cycling Development Team

Fifteen — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:27:50 +0000

Haro USA Cycling Development Team

February 2018

Haro USA Cycling Development Team

February 2018

The 2018 Haro / US Development Team under the guidance of Jamie Staff, Dale Holmes and Arielle Martin has gone into media overdrive recently with a Joey Cobbs photo-shoot and a team edit (below) produced by Justin Kosman.

The team, minus Batten, who is out with an injury, had a very successful debut at the USA BMX Winter Nationals in Phoenix, with every rider making the main and most reaching the podium. Obviously, the stand out was Kamren Larsen, who on his Pro debut made it a clean sweep with wins in ‘A’ Pro on Friday and Saturday and the ‘Pro Open’ on Sunday!

The goal for both Pro riders this year is the UCI Worlds in Baku … Bryce in Jr. Men and Kamren in Elite which is going to make for an interesting few months ahead. The US has a maximum of 8 Elite Men’s spots (Fields and Sharrah are locked in to two of those) and only 2 spots for Jr. Men.

Pro Riders:
Bryce Batten
Kamren Larsen

Expert Riders:
Brooke Craft
Madelynn DeSantis
Cam Mason
Noah Ramos
Payton Ridenour

Video by Justin Kosman

Cover photo by Joey Cobbs

Follow Haro / US Development Team on Facebook | Instagram | Website

Team Sponsors:
USA Cycling usacycling.org
Haro Bikes harobikes.com
Rockstar Energy rockstarenergy.com
Dale Holmes Racing daleholmesracing.com
WD40 wd40bike.com
Barona Casino barona.com
Ride100% ride100percent.com
Answer Racing answerracing.com
Shimano shimano.com
ODI Grips odigrips.com
Box Components boxcomponents.com
Tioga tiogausa.com
HRP Designs hrpdesigns.com
Wheelbuilder.com wheelbuilder.com

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David Graf | The Pursuit of Mechanical Advantage

Fifteen — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:17:13 +0000

David Graf | The Pursuit of Mechanical Advantage

June 2017

David Graf | The Pursuit of Mechanical Advantage

June 2017

In late 2016 Switzerland’s David Graf announced that he was parting ways with long time sponsor, Nicolai Bikes, ‘in search of something new’. A few conversations later and it became apparent that the search for something new could be translated into the search for mechanical advantage or even mechanical perfection … well, as close to perfection as reality and budget would allow.

Aware that his time in the sport is limited and his decision to be largely sponsor-less, Graf has taken complete control of all the tools available to him … yes, he is fast, very fast, yes, he wins races but his drive for mechanical perfection is a quality that sets him apart … and it’s that quality that we find intriguing …

15: You forfeited a bike sponsor so you could move to a carbon frame … what was the driving force behind the decision to leave Nicolai and move to a carbon set up?

Graf: After a couple of years with Nicolai Bikes I decided I didn’t want to make any more compromises with my equipment. The weight/stiffness ratio was the main force behind it and also the durability of the frame.

On any aluminum frame I’ve had so far you felt a loss in stiffness really fast and you don’t want to hop on a new frame every couple of weeks. The carbon is much better at keeping the same performance for a while … that’s just a side note though, I’m really a weight weenie 😉

15: Where you trying carbon bikes while you were still racing alloy?

Graf: No. I was on a contract with Nicolai and I was making the best out of what we had.

15: Why did you pick the frame you ended up going with? Did you consider others?

Graf: Yes, I was looking at every frame out there I guess, but the Haro frame was the easiest one to modify, plus the geometry was the closest to what I wanted. Over the years with Nicolai I was able to find what works for me, I actually wanted the exact same bike but in carbon.

Fortunately for me, my best friend Janis Lütolf, is a mechanical engineer. So, I came up with my issues and some basic ideas and he just went to work on this project. The new dropout turned out to be a lot of work but Janis loves a perfect solution and was determined to find just that. Riding MTB’s himself and being a good friend of mine for about 15 years he instinctively knew what kind of problems we needed to solve.

Now we’ve ended up with a slightly higher bottom bracket but can live with that. I was thinking about making a frame myself to get rid of the brake mounts, lower the bottom bracket and have the dropouts exactly like I want them (it would be a 12x135mm rear axle) but, as my friend pointed out, there where not really enough changes to put the effort into creating, testing and paying for my own bike … Although, had it not been for Janis’s work, the new dropout kit would have probably cost me more than a full frame project.

15: After racing on the new frame for a while now is the rational for moving to carbon living up to the reality?

Graf: It’s just stiffer, nothing too crazy. I’m happy with my choice.

15: Your friend had to invest a lot of time and effort designing and manufacturing custom dropouts to incorporate the disc brake. Why not just use an adapter kit? Other than disc brakes what else do the custom dropouts bring?

Graf: Well, kit adapters are good to allow more people ride disc brakes and they finally arrived 10 years after Roger was first riding at a World Cup with them haha … other than that, they are pretty shitty to use. If you want to change your rear wheel you better bring some time. Taking the caliper off and untightening the whole chain setup was never an option for me. It’s just not a clean solution for us. Janis, always a perfectionist, was looking for a solid solution.

My dropouts are made to run a longer rear end, 15.9” or 40.4mm. This is one chain link more than most standard frames would allow you to go to. Then it has the disc mount, it is 122mm wide to allow me to use a much lighter hub. Janis optimized the little adapters where the axle goes through with some bolts to hold them in place when changing your wheel. I was always laughing at the guys dealing with that shit so this was important for me haha.

15: How many variations of the drop outs did you go through to get to the final version? Are you happy with where you’re at or are there modifications on the horizon?

Graf: At the World Cups I was running an early version but I had some issues in Zolder. There is a little piece on the brake mount that takes the force and puts it down to the dropout, it was probably a little too light to take my force and it bent when I had to brake really hard at the finish line. I was running the prototype for the rest of the race which was a little heavier. Now the forth version is coming, that should be the final one.

The custom dropout history … so far

V1: Check for fit & prove concept … ‘it was way too light and flexy, no way it could have taken a hard braking’.

V2/V3: Concept development … ‘I was on the V2 for some races and then on the V3 for the World Cup in Zolder, where they broke, from V1 to V2/3 the big difference was that we put a leg that pushes down to the dropout to absorb the braking force’.

V4: The final version … ‘This has some better radii on the leg, so it will not break off again’

15: Have you considered a carbon disc for some weight saving?

Graf: No. My disc is like 64g. I prefer a good working brake over 20g of saving.

15: Why did you go the route of the DT Swiss hub rather than a disc version of one of the popular options?

Graf: I hate the weight on the popular ones. The DT 240s is a great hub, easy to maintain and ultralight.

15: Is the instant engagement of the popular hubs not a worthwhile advantage?

Graf: The point is … where I focus the most on all my bike changes -> ‘gate to bottom of the hill’. Instant engagement is only useful to setup behind the gate. I put the weight saving and the trust in a ratchet much higher than the clutch system which gives you an ultra-small advantage on the first pedals out of the turn. Since we usually already pedal in the air it is not a real advantage after the first jump.

The only advantage point is the pedal at the bottom of the hill, I can live without that.

15: The stiffness deters some from carbon rims but you have been running them for a while, do you notice the difference?

Graf: I was always running the lightest available aluminum rims. The weight of the carbon rims is not much lower but it makes them a lot stiffer and you can feel it everywhere.

Unfortunately, there was no rim for a disc bike or front rim only. So I’m just going to make them myself now. I hope they are here in July and then I can run a lower carbon rim that is lighter and low enough to use on the front too. I always went with the rear only because of the wind. My new rim will be 20mm high so it should be fine.

15: Hold on, you’re making your own carbon rims?

Graf: Yes, I ordered my own mold for lower profile rims.

15: Who do you call to make custom rims?

Graf: China!

15: So, was rotational weight a factor with the carbon rim decision?

Graf: At first the 35mm rims where as heavy as my Sun Ringle Envy Lite but with the shorter spokes you get the weight lower. So yeah … every moving part on the bike has to be as light as possible once it still works appropriately.

15: Are you picking tyres primarily for weight or grip and are you changing them depending on environmental conditions? Do you consider the weight of tubes, spokes … we’ve even hear that some riders won’t use valve caps …?

Graf: They have to work, but then I am looking at weights only. I only change them if the gate is slippery, then I go with the Onza to get more traction or in St. Etienne I put that one in the front too for the second turn. But on the important races I run 1.6” Powerblocks. I even weight the tires when they arrive and then use them until they are kind of worn down but still rideable, take them off and put them back on for the big races haha. We take that to the limit. You know when Roger was riding 4cross he ordered the lightest tires out of the factory … they had to weigh all the tires and send him the lightest ones since they vary a lot. I always thought he was really crazy but now I am too haha.

And yes, tubes, spokes nipples are all part of it, that’s for sure. I never ran a valve cap but not because of the weight … I just can’t see a reason.

15: What about titanium parts, spokes for so extra weight saving? Would you consider making your dropouts in titanium?

Graf: I don’t trust titanium that much, it just breaks without warning for axles etc. Titanium spokes are to flexy and not much lighter than my Sapim CX Ray so I went with the aero flat spokes.

David’s Bike …

Haro Citizen XXL Frame

Old Haro Citizen Forks

Cliq Addict 8″ Bars

SuperDuper 63mm Stem

ODI A1 Grips

Box Echelon Seat

Tune Skyline Clamp (4g)

RaceFace SixC 175mm Cranks

44 / 16 Gearing

RaceFace Bottom Bracket

HT T1 SX Pedals

Shimano XTR Race Leaver

Shimano XTR Race Caliper

Tune Dörte 32H Front Hub

DTSwiss 240s 122x12mm 32H Rear Hub

Sun Envy Lite 32H Front Rim

Ice Fast Rafale 30mm 32H Carbon Rear Rim

Tioga PowerBlock 1.6″ / 93psi

Total Weight … 7.04kg (15.52lbs) in Papendal with Box Plate

David’s Bike …

Haro Citizen XXL Frame

Old Haro Citizen Forks

Cliq Addict 8″ Bars

SuperDuper 63mm Stem

ODI A1 Grips

Box Echelon Seat

Tune Skyline Clamp (4g)

RaceFace SixC 175mm Cranks

44 / 16 Gearing

RaceFace Bottom Bracket

HT T1 SX Pedals

Shimano XTR Race Leaver

Shimano XTR Race Caliper

Tune Dörte 32H Front Hub

DTSwiss 240s 122x12mm 32H Rear Hub

Sun Envy Lite 32H Front Rim

Ice Fast Rafale 30mm 32H Carbon Rear Rim

Tioga PowerBlock 1.6″ / 93psi

Total Weight … 7.04kg (15.52lbs) in Papendal with Box Plate

‘This is my spare bike, my race bike is not put together right now … so not every little trick is done here … I didn’t cut the steertube and it has a heavier seat clamp plus it is not sandpapered down to raw carbon like the race bike as it was too much work. It saves around 100g on the frame alone, just because of the paint.’

15: The trend for chainrings is moving towards the large 50+ tooth type … why haven’t you jumped on it? Too much weight? Do you see any advantage going that route?

Graf: There is not one fact to prove it’s an advantage. Engineers would tell you don’t go with a sprocket under 14T and everything else is too small of a factor to mention. For me it’s just more weight, more chain, more everything that’s moving and that’s not good haha.

Just go with whatever feels best but don’t jump on the hype just to do it. Think about it a little more!

15: Pedals … we know you used to modify your HT’s … what were you doing there? Do you still do it or have HT helped you out?

Graf: When I first got them, I was not really happy. The fact that the spring opened up in the front and back was pretty bad for me but it was something to work with. The reason I went with them was that the cleat was much more covered by the spring than with the Shimano.

So, at first, I built a plate myself, a really shady one, but then I discussed the issue with Janis and he helped me out with a working solution to avoid the spring opening up to the front. The reason for this was, every time I pedaled some energy went into the spring and I was sliding front and back with the cleat. Then HT made the SX version inserts based on my idea and are now selling them so we were no longer forced to do that ourselves … perfect!

Then I added a little plate to make more contact with my shoe to the pedal cage. I hate free float and I got rid of it like that. But that is something that is different from shoe to shoe. The Suplest shoes I run now, have a perfect fit on the original cage, so no more work on pedals for me. I have not unclipped unintentionally once since I changed to HT, I’ve found my setup there.

15: We assume you’re all about ceramic bearings in bottom brackets? Do you use them in hubs?

Graf: No ceramic bearings in my bottom bracket, they tend to run less smooth under pressure so I went for good old stainless ones. I did spend €2000 on two bearings for the Olympic bike last year though … not for the weight but they ran so smooth … it wasn’t worth the money, that’s for sure, but I had to give it a go. If you compare our bikes to road bikes we are still cheap and soooooooo far behind that I thought why not.

Now the problem is … the bearings won’t fit into my new bottom bracket.

The bearings are nothing compared to what my dropouts are worth though …

15: What bearings cost 2K? What’s so special about them?

Graf: Gold-Race steel bearings, it’s an Italian guy, he does bearings for the roadies, Giro d’Italia teams etc. They are hand built and nanotech whatever, they turn like crazy with no resistance at all. He came to the European Champs in Verona last year to show me his products, when you see the crank spinning you’re sold haha … it’s not worth it but it was as sick as bearings get. All the XC and Track guys at the Olympics were laughing because they did the same thing a couple of years back.

15: Power to weight ratio … how important is the bike weight in that equation?

Graf: Important enough to invest the time in my eyes. A better power to weight ratio makes you faster – the weight of the system is important, that means rider and bike. Bodyweight at least pushes down on to the pedal.

The most important things are the moving parts. Wheels, cranks, pedals, shoes and chain. Where the wheels stand out as the most important.

For example, in road cycling they say a pedal/shoe combo that is 250g heavier per side than your lightest option forces you to deliver 1.5% more power for the same speed.

All these things are mostly important for the acceleration phase which is our main task in the end. For me it has to be safe at first. But then I am looking for the lightest option in everything. If I gain 0.5% on all of that at the end it was worth it for me because I know I do everything that needs to be done. So, this is one part of the puzzle. If you have a lot of other things where you can improve, do that first. But never count out the bike 😉

15: What have we missed … what other lengths do you go to shave grams off the bike?

Graf: I run a Tune front hub that is only 94g for example. To make it work I had to build my own 20mm endcaps. Mountain bike standard is 15x100mm and 20x110mm. This hub is the perfect product in my eyes.

I always run 32 spokes front and rear until now … I will go to 28 on the new wheelset, if I get the front hub with it.

For a while I was running my bike without a head cap and took the expander out of the fork after setting it up to save some more weight. I have it back in right now because the Cliq forks and the frame tend to get some play much quicker.

I still hate my cockpit and seat/seat tube combo … I’ll work on that next.

Click images to enlarge.

‘The chain guide is there, because I run a 9 speed chain … because they are made to shift they can be dropped more easily so I wanted to be safe after Colombia last year.’

15: So after all that, would you take a ‘good’ sponsorship deal from an alloy bike manufacturer and give up all the weight savings you’ve worked into your current set up?

Graf: No. Right now a good sponsorship for me is not based off the money anymore, it’s about the product. I am at a point in my career where I have just a couple of years left and I want the best.

This is why I buy pretty much everything on my bike because I want to cherry pick everything haha.

15: So, shout outs, who do you need to thank, who’s making you look good?

Graf: There were a couple of guys behind all that work and I really appreciate it. They have helped me with parts for years now. My Olympic bike last year had a fixed rear end made by the same group of people and my zero offset fork inserts as well. So, without them I would probably have had the ideas in my mind but never been able to realize them all.

Thank you Seppi and Janis especially!!

15: Where are we going to see you and the bike on the gate next? What’s the plan for the rest of the year?

Graf: My next international race will be in Bordeaux for the European championship and then the Worlds. After the World Cup in Zolder I struggled a little to get back into it. Physically and mentally it was a really tough two weeks and I needed some time to recover and find some motivation to put the gloves back on haha

So, Verona was probably one week to early and then I’m a little bummed to not race in Norway but the timing of that race is just not fitting into my July plans.

Sponsors: Mom & Dad, Schweizer Sporthlife, Leatt Protectives, HT Components, Suplest Shoes, 100% Helmets

Follow David Graf on Instagram | Facebook

Photos by Richard Schols / Mister O (all riding images) | David Graf | Janis Lütolf

The post David Graf | The Pursuit of Mechanical Advantage appeared first on Fifteen.

Nic Long | Rio Olympics

Fifteen — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 00:37:32 +0000

Nic Long | USA | Rio Olympics

November 2016

The USA’s Nic Long has been at the sharp end of international Elite BMX Racing for years now, you’d be stupid to bet against him making the main at any event, in any year … and 2016 has probably been his best to date.

You can’t argue with the amazing 7th to 3th at the Medellín World’s final to secure his Olympic spot. Then came the Rio final … first to the first corner, first to the second and then … well you all saw it.

That impressive ‘3’ he has beside his name on the 2016 UCI rankings is not an easy thing to achieve, look at the long list of really FAST riders below him.

So what did Nic Long think of his South American adventure … we asked …

15: Colombia and your 7th to 3rd in the final must have taken a massive amount of pressure off you … did you enjoy sitting looking at the Olympic Trials in Chula Vista, thinking ‘I’ve already got a ticket’?

Nic: Absolutely! The trials race would be the hardest race for me personally … along with our national champs, it’s hard to race a full gate of my friends just knowing only one place matters.

15: Did your experiences from London 2012 help you going into Rio? Do you think it may have given you a slight edge over first timers when dealing with the pure scale and pressure of the event?

Nic: It for sure helped me personally, just had a completely different mindset in Rio … so with that being said, it may have helped a bit … but there wasn’t too many first timers in Rio I feel like.

15: Where your personal expectations much different going into Rio when you compare them to London?

Nic: Absolutely, I went to London as prepared as possible … but I feel I was more excited to have just made it. Then when racing was done, I was really let down.

‘Rio was about redemption for myself personally, and though being so close … that holeshot made the whole 4 years worth it to me.’

15: The track wasn’t that popular at the test event in 2015, where all the rider suggested changes implemented for the main event? What was the track like to ride?

Nic: All I’ve gotta say is that step up … I wanna know what Ritz was actually thinking.

15: There was lots of talk about the green berm jump and berms, do you think they affected the racing?

Nic: I don’t think it affected racing at all, but it was for sure an obstacle in itself … I did one lap cruising, and had to start wearing goggles … it was blinding and hard to see definitions in lips and landings.

15: Your first jump crash during practice was spectacular, where you hurt? Did it hamper you at all during the racing?

Nic: It was a perfectly executed mistake, and then I got some massage/acupuncture and roughed it out … I rode well, and that crash didn’t hit my pedal in turn two or swing wide in turn three haha!

15: At the risk of pissing you off, what happened during the final? Brilliant first straight, brilliant second straight and then clipping your pedal coming out of berm two …

Nic: Was exactly that, I showed up in the best shape of my life and my mental state couldn’t of been better … but with no excuses, I made my own mistakes and lost the gold medal myself. Though I’m still extremely proud of myself, and people noticed I was the fastest rider when it mattered.

15: Reflecting back on the whole ‘Rio experience’, what was the stand out moment for you?

Nic: Rio was absolutely perfect.

15: Are the 2020 Tokyo Games on your radar just yet or are they too far away to start thinking about?

Nic: Well 4th place isn’t bad at any other race, it stings a bit with that one … I feel 2016 has been my best year racing and training with Kurt Pickard I’ll only get better. We’ve came up with some great programs and he knows my work ethic … if I stay injury free, I believe in myself enough to think I can make it to Tokyo.

OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Frame: Haro Citizen

Forks: Cliq Citizen

Bars: Cliq Helm

Stem: Tangent 39mm

Grips: ODI Gwin

Headset: Cliq

Seat: BOX Carbon

Cranks: Cliq Weaponz 175mm

Sprocket: Tangent 45/16

OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Bottom Bracket: Cliq

Pedals: HT X2

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: BOX

Front Hub: Stealth 20mm

Rear Hub: Stealth 20mm

Rims: Shadow Conspiracy Corvus

Tyres: Tioga 1.95″ front, 1.85″ rear / 90psi

Plate: Box Components #64

OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Frame: Haro Citizen

Forks: Cliq Citizen

Bars: Cliq Helm

Stem: Tangent 39mm

Grips: ODI Gwin

Headset: Cliq

Seat: BOX Carbon

Cranks: Cliq Weaponz 175mm

Sprocket: Tangent 45/16

Bottom Bracket: Cliq

Pedals: HT X2

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: BOX

Front Hub: Stealth 20mm

Rear Hub: Stealth 20mm

Rims: Shadow Conspiracy Corvus

Tyres: Tioga 1.95″ front, 1.85″ rear / 90psi

Plate: Box Components #64

15: Where is your Olympic bike now? Do you plan on riding it again?

Nic: It’s at Haro headquarters now. Not currently riding and will probably sell it.

15: Did you have much input into how the bike looked or was it a surprise when it arrived from Haro?

Nic: I usually work pretty closely with Ideas about race, just since DB left. So I helped narrow a few things down and get it perfected.

15: Your frame is notoriously long, what is the actual spec.? Did you have any other custom built parts on the Olympic bike?

Nic: Top tube is pretty standard at 21.75 but the rear end is where things get funky … she’s at a cool 17.2″ to the center of the drop out. Only other custom thing I did was a custom tangent top load stem that’s 39mil.

15: What are your plans for 2017 season? Where will we see you get on the gate?

Nic: I’ll be everywhere … I’m a racer, it’s what I love to do.

15: How is your Idol Hand Glove venture doing? Where can we get our hands on them/in them?

Nic: It took some time off this year to focus on making the games.. and the first run was messed up with some production errors in the Velcro. With that being said, I’m actually in the process of new designs and better distribution….Hopefully get these new and improved gloves out to everyone in the world. So stay tuned!