New Jersey’s Animal Bike Company has been a driving force in BMX since the day the company began. The Animal crew puts out parts riders want, and the riding that the team gets done is some of the most progressive street you will ever see. To give you a peek behind the scenes of the BMX business, Vital BMX asked Animal’s Ralph Sinisi what goes on in the Animal Warehouse, and what keeps him and the team fired up to keep Animal moving forward.



Photo by Matt Brown

How did you get into BMX in the first place?
My uncle Mark—one day he came up to the house with a cool bike and started doing a bunch of tricks that I had never seen before. So after about two weeks I quit playing football and started racing.

First off, how long have you been riding?
I’ve been riding for about 29 years, since I got my first two-wheeled Schwinn Stingray. About 25 since I got my first BMX Hutch.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to start a BMX company? What was the motivation?
I just knew we had something going on in the NY/NJ area that was different than the rest of the world. I just wanted to get it out there and represent it. This is what we do. Here is the riding and these are the best parts to do this riding.

When you were getting Animal going, what were some of the hardest things to go through?
Shit, that is a pretty tough question. Things are happening all the time. You just have to take things one-step at a time and do the best you can through every step. Since the beginning I have had a great crew of riders and everyone who has worked here, and we work as a team. There are so many good people behind the company. They all love riding and truly know the deal with Animal and want every aspect of it to be the best. I just always wanted to make sure it is all about the riding and no bullshit.

Animal is going strong now; do you feel like you are getting the business-side wired, or is there always new stuff coming up? Any good examples?
No doubt, I learn something new every day. If you’re not learning then you’re going backwards. We are always going forward 100%. Things don’t happen right away. Perfection takes time and that’s why we don’t put out 100 new parts each year. We have the team thoroughly test and give all their input about products on every level. Our designers Whiteboy, Dom, and Tom run everything we do past the team and design things for their signature stuff to their exact specs. I don’t care about flavor of the day. This is all about the long-term. We are pushing stuff with technology on the parts like the new Wedgeposts (patent pending). We’ve got huge plans for all kinds of stuff for the future, but are not rushing.

How would you describe your warehouse? What do you need out of a space?
The warehouse is dialed. We got CEOsso running the game. He is dialed and his job is so intense that I don’t even want to start explaining all he does. Omar and Scotty are on the phones getting the product out to the customers. Those guys are the real deal, and you have to love the product you sell to do the great job that they do. Then there is Tim and Paul that pack all the boxes and keep the shelves filled up and everything in perfect order. Things have been crazy and they have been putting in overtime to keep up with the orders. Paul has been working with a broken wrist. Two days after they put a metal plate in it he was back on the job. Then there is tooth-to-180 master Teague. He gets all the packages out with UPS, runs credit cards, and collects the money when shops are slacking. Don’t nobody try to get away without paying or they feel the wrath of Teague. Even though Dolecki doesn’t work at the warehouse on the daily, I got to give him a shout as our staff photographer. I have been riding with him for over 20 years and shit is still the same as kids when we go riding. I am proud to have his name on our flicks. His pictures are the next best thing to being there. I also gotta shout Navaz, since he is a staff filmer right now to help Bob film the new vid. I can’t wait for it to drop. It will still be a while, but the stuff that has been going down is off the hook.



Photo by Mike Wilson

How would you describe what you are trying to do with Animal? What does Animal offer that other companies may not?
I am just doing what needs to go down. Parts, riding, and company. All the best representing what we do. We ride anything, but street is our main deal. I got Bob making the vids and getting everyone all that much more hyped to ride. There is nothing better than watching one of the vids and just being so souped to ride and going and have a great session. Go out and just ride everything. I really don’t care what other companies are doing. I really don’t even know or pay attention to what the hell is going on. I only know what we are doing. I am in my own world over here. I run the company totally freestyle. I never knew anything about business and just do what I feel is right.

What are some things you have been proud of since you began Animal?
Everything we do. I don’t want us to ever do anything that I am not proud of. There are always little problems here and there, but if we start doing stuff I am not proud of, then the company is done and I won’t care about it anymore. As long as we stick to the riding and parts being the main deal, then I will always have pride in it.

How important would you say the team has been to getting Animal to where it is?
You know the deal with that. We got the best crew in BMX without a doubt. All the most real deal dudes. They have all been down from the beginning. Vinnie, Bob, Ed, Lino, Nigel, Osso, George, Hamilton, Butcher, Wormz, Mike B., Tom W., Jared, and Rone. They are all my best friends, favorite people to ride with, and all huge influences in every aspect of the company. Most of them have gotten offers from other companies at one point for more loot than I could get them at the time, but they all stayed true to Animal since they all know the deal with the realness being the best for the long-term.

How has your riding time been affected since starting Animal?
I am more souped on riding then I have ever been in my life. It’s all I think about and all I want to do. I want to go everywhere and ride everything. I can’t leave anything unchecked. Keep a lookout behind any building or the darkest alley. I am everywhere sessioning everything. My shit is so hectic and I constantly feel like I am loosing my mind, and riding is what keeps me sane. It takes priority over all.