Vital BMX Features

Win Free Vital BMX Gear

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:32:05 -0000

Thanks to the BMX world, Vital BMX has become the premiere BMX destination on the Web. To thank you for being a part of the Vital Community, we’re going to hook up six Vital Members with free Vital BMX gear. If you haven’t seen the Vital BMX shirts and hats available, scroll down to check them all out. If you’re not one of the six lucky winners to score a free prize, you can easily hit up our online store to buy your favorite design by clicking the image above.

To be one of the six lucky winners, all you need to do is to log into your Vital BMX profile, and then send me a message (the Vital Profile named Losey) detailing which shirt/hat is your favorite, and why you deserve to win it in two sentences. We will pick winners based on the most entertaining responses, and we will contact the winners for shipping addresses on May 20th. Good luck!

Check out our online store to buy your favorite Vital BMX design.

Project GT Enters Stage 2

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:30:53 -0000

Click the image to see all of the videos entered in the Project GT contest.

The entries for the GT Project contest have been overwhelming. We received so many videos that GT is adding a nominating button to all the entered videos. This is your chance to nominate your favorite video(s) for the Top 25. By clicking the “Nominate This Video” button beside all the entered videos, you are casting your vote for that video(s) to be in the Top 25. On May 15th GT will look at the Top 25 videos and announce the 10 riders who won. Stay tuned, this is going to be good.

Leigh Ramsdell Interview: Recent Happenings At Eastern

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:43:29 -0000

Eastern Bikes has been in the news almost nonstop for the past month. It all started with Randy Brown leaving the team. Shortly after Randy's departure, they announced two new additions to the team, Craig Mast and Brian Wizmerski, and also introduced their new Inside/Out online video project. With so much going on in such little time, we found it necessary to get in contact with Eastern team manager Leigh Ramsdell and get the low-down on what's going on and what we can expect for the rest of the year.

Ever since Randy Brown left Eastern a few weeks ago it seems like you've been in the news nonstop. Did Randy's departure influence you guys to get anything done or had all of these changes been in the works beforehand?

We were working on a lot of things before Randy left, like the Inside/Out series, but once he decided to make a change I realized it’s probably time for us to make one as well. Getting some new riders was number one. Randy was a big influence with Eastern so I knew we had to get some riders that wanted to help Eastern with more than just riding, the same way Randy did.

There were a lot of rumors about new riders Eastern was looking at and then both of the new team choices seemed to come completely out of nowhere. Was it a difficult decision to choose the new riders?

It’s a real hard decision to find the right people. It was important that the riders could get along with the current team, and it had to be someone that just liked to have fun on a bike. I actually wanted Wiz on the team before Randy left, so that was an easy one. I’ve known him for a long time and know that he shreds. I just wish he still had dreads. Plus, now I can hit him up for some Orchids. Ha. Red please.

I had seen Craig at a lot of contests and I knew he was good on a bike, but needed to hang out with him more just so see what his personality was like. I gotta say, for such a young guy, he’s got his shit together.

Who all had an influence in the new team selections?

It was a little bit of everyone at Eastern. I made a list of potential riders and talked to everyone at Eastern and to the team guys; we even had our international distributors in mind. Then the tooth fairy came to visit me and we had quite a good chat and told me whom to pick. Nice gal.

Brian Wizmerski and Craig Mast seem to be pretty much complete opposites. Was that something you considered when choosing them?

I agree, but that’s what Eastern is all about. We don’t really care about a specific image to portray we just want the outcome to be the same. Have a good fucking time on your bike.

Eastern hasn't really had a "contest" rider for quite sometime. What made you decide to get back into that genre of BMX with Craig?

That’s true. We had already planned on sending Kelly Bolton to some comps this year and then when Craig came along it just made sense to have a few guys there to really represent. Shamone it.

What should we be expecting in the months to come from Brian Wizmerski and Craig Mast?

Riding bikes. Taking trips. Maybe have them do a few whittling demos.

Do any of the Eastern riders, old or new, have any signature products in the works?

Everyone on the team has the opportunity to design they’re own shirts, which they each get royalties from. Also, we are talking about a few signature products, but nothing nailed down quite yet.

Is the Eastern team officially full or should we be expecting more additions?

I’d say right now it’s pretty full, but you never know.

The new Inside/Out video seemed to have higher productions values than any other videos we've seen from Eastern. Tell us a little bit more about this project. Who all is behind it?

Inside/Out was an idea I came up with because I didn’t just want Eastern to release web videos with only riding in them. I wanted people to get to know the riders personalities more and to have the whole thing feel like a little entertaining TV show. Mike McQueen is the man behind the camera and does all the post-production work. Mike’s a hard worker and shares the same ideas as I do. He rules!

What other Inside/Out trips are currently planned?

In a few weeks Eric Holley and Wiz are heading to Charlotte, NC to visit Zach Rogers and Seamus McKeon. After that, it’ll be Kelly Bolton and mostly likely Adam Banton or Craig Mast traveling to Minneapolis to ride with Eric Holley and Nick Anderson. There will be two more after those.

Are there any other Eastern trips in the works? Anything the whole team will be on?

The next thing besides the Inside/Out trips will be an actual Team video. We have a kickass team and feel like it’s time for Eastern to make a video with them. Filming will last a year so it should be out by next Interbike.

What's next for Eastern?

To keep making innovative products, to promote our riders, and mostly to remember what BMX really is… fun. Well we’ve always known that.

I think I lost my cross-eyed wolf shirt. Could you send me another one?

Heck yeah! What’s your size, I’ll send you two.

Anything else we should know?

Yup, we are going to start cutting holes in our riders to make them lighter.

Part One of Eastern's Inside/Out online video project.

Meet the Road Fools Crew in SD

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:39:09 -0000

Props Road Fools 16 is nearly complete, and Levi’s® is giving you a chance to meet the crew in San Diego!

The tour wraps up on Saturday April 19 at the Horton Plaza Levi's® Store featuring ramp sessions with the Road Fools crew as well as a live musical performance by The Strangers Six. The riders will be on site from noon till 4 pm in San Diego and will be available for autographs and pictures.

Levi’s® is also giving you the chance to win a $200 gift card if you print this story and bring it with you to the events. Just write your name on the print out, hand it to a Levi’s® rider, and they’ll pick a winner on site!

Props Road Fools 16 features: Anthony Napolitan, Chester Blacksmith, Aaron Ross, Nathan Williams, Brad Simms, Dakota Roche, Morgan Wade, Rob Wise, Corey Bohan, Kurt Rasmussen, Brett Walker, Corey Martinez and Justin Simpson.

The First Vital BMX Hooked Up Winner

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:57:03 -0000

Click the image to watch the video.

Two weeks ago we announced a new monthly contest from Vital BMX named Hooked Up. In case you missed the intro, it works like this: Upload a rad video to Vital BMX and you are in the running to win dope prizes. The first installment of Hooked Up came correct with great prizes from Mongoose, KHE, Nike 6.0, and Dan’s Comp. After looking at all of the videos uploaded over the past few weeks, we decided that the first Hooked Up winner was Garrett Reeves for his incredible street video (alley-oop-wallride down stairs?). Congratulations go out to Garrett, along with one hell of a prize pack.

If you didn’t win this time around, don’t worry because we are going to be running Hooked Up once a month with tons of great prizes. All you have to do to be in the running is get your video uploaded to Vital BMX. It can be great riding, something funny—whatever. Make sure to watch all the videos Vital Members are uploading, too, as the ratings and comments might help us choose a winner.

Vital BMX Presents: Hooked Up

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:13:09 -0000

Vital BMX Members are always uploading great videos to the site, and now once a month, one Member video is going to get Hooked Up. And we’re not just giving away a Vital BMX T-shirt, either. Every month we’ve got some great prize packages ready starting with this sick stash featuring cranks, a hub, and sprocket from KHE, a frame and clothing kit from Mongoose, a pair of Nike 6.0 shoes, and a $50 gift certificate to Dan’s Comp. Just like the name implies, if you win this package you will be Hooked Up.

So how are we choosing which video is getting the Hooked Up treatment every month? We will be watching to see which Vital BMX Member videos are getting a lot of votes, comments, and views. Then we will go through and choose the one that deserves to win. Maybe it will be incredible riding. Maybe it will be something funny. Maybe a crash. We can’t tell you exactly what might take the prize, so upload all of your best videos. We will be choosing the first Hooked Up winner on April 3, so get your videos onto Vital BMX today!

Vital BMX Hooked Up Prizes for April

Mongoose Fraction Frame and Clothes

KHE Rotor Chainwheel

KHE Reverse Hub

KHE Hindenburg Crank

Nike 6.0 Shoes

Dan's Comp $50 Gift Certificate

Alienation Photo Contest Winners

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:02:03 -0000

Click the image above to see all 10 winning photos.

The Alienation/Vital BMX Photo Contest was a huge success with a ton of dope photos in the mix. The Alienation crew kept a close eye on all of the pictures that were uploaded, and they picked the top ten winners. Each of these photos scores both an Alienation seat and seatpost to keep their bike in top shape. Click the picture above to see all ten of the winning photos, and thanks to everyone who entered. And thanks to Alienation for hooking it up!

48 Hours of BMX in Georgia

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:59:14 -0000

Text: Kent Pearson

I'm sure everyone knows how much fun road trips are and how you never want to ever miss an opportunity to go on one, right? One of the best things in BMX is going to ride with your buddies and being on the road with a common destination in mind. After all these years of riding, it amazes me every time I'm on the road with friends how it always feels like, "Wow, I almost forgot how much fun this is!"

A few weeks ago it was decided down here in Georgia that everyone should pitch in a few bucks and get together with their friends to film a video section, and then get together and vote on a winner and hand out cash and take the time to get together. This led to our crew (myself, Kyle Kelsey, Rob Christianson, Ryan Davis, and Matt Leviege) deciding we would take a weekend and hit some spots to film, ride, and have a good time. That decision led to everyone to decide to try to hit probably way too many spots in a two-day period, which made us so crushed for time at each spot that we felt like we had to get stuff done without much time for retakes—and even less time for food or sleep!

I wouldn't trade the experience for the world and it was a weekend I won't forget for a long time to come. Everyone had their share of crashes and some of us more than our share. We went without food for way too many hours at a time. We had some of the usual camera troubles and a few clips that couldn't make it in because of the glitches. But I'm glad to say that I think everyone had a great time, grew closer as friends, and there were just as many clips that didn't get used as there was that made it into the video itself!

I hope everyone likes the vid. Thanks to Vital for sharing it. Thanks to Rob C for editing it in his spare time over just a couple of days. Thanks to each of you for taking the time to put in all the riding and hard work to make the trip possible. And again, don't miss too many opportunities to spend time riding with your friends while you can!

Kent Pearson
Georgia Crew

Alienation Photo Contest

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:49:33 -0000

Alienation has teamed up with Vital BMX to bring you a BMX Photo Contest where you can win one of ten seats and seatposts. The rules of the game are simple. Upload your best photo to the Photo page on Vital BMX by February 27th with “Alienation Contest” as the subject, and then we will pick ten winners. Your photo can feature great riding, a crash, something artsy, something funny, whatever you want. You must have either shot the photo or be the subject of the photo to be included. This contest is only open to Vital BMX members, so if you’re not a member, hit that “Join” link at the top right of the screen and get those megapixels popping. Thanks to Alienation for putting this contest together. Good luck!

Ben Wallace Bike Check

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:53:14 -0000

Click the picture to see all of the photos from the Vital BMX Ben Wallace Bike Check.

Photos and text by DJBMXMC

Name: Ben Wallace
Age: 21
Years riding: 7
Where do you live: Bournemouth with my chick, Amy
Current sponsors: Haro, Primo and Orchid
Influences:
Watching X Games 2000 and seeing Dave Mirra and Nyquist ride—that was it for me. That’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do.

What’s the dilly Ben? You’ve been injured for a few months now and recently had surgery. How did it go and what was it for?
I had an operation two weeks ago after breaking my scaphoid back in September ‘07. After riding the last few Dew Tour stops with it broken, I kind of wrecked it more resulting in this operation. They took a bone graft from my hip and screwed it into my wrist. All went okay, but it’s all a bit swollen and sore still. I’ve got like four weeks left in my cast and then hopefully I will be back on my bike.

How long will you be off your bike?
Hopefully no longer than five weeks, but who knows because I’m going crazy not being able to ride!

You are going on the next Local Exposure tour at the end of April. How do you think that’s going to be?
I think it’s going to be amazing, I can’t wait to go tour America and get back into the swing of things and riding again. Who better to do it with than some of the best riders out there?

You were recently moved from the UK/European Haro team up to the full US Pro team. How did that feel?
To be fair I can’t really comment. I have always been treated amazing by Haro and it’s just a privilidge to be put on to the US team.

You did well in a few stops of last year’s Dew Tour. What are your plans for 2008?
To go back and do as many stops as possible and maybe even compete in dirt.

Is it true you were once a karting champion?
Yeah, I was the fu**ing best [laughs].

Tell us a bit about that.
I started when I was eight and had to stop at 15 because of the cost. I won three championships and lost one race due to the car breaking down [laughs]. So Mirra, when I feel like getting my rally on in a few years, you just best watch out ‘cause I’ll be lined up next to ya!!

Anyone you want to thank or shout out?
Yeah, Thanks to Tony D & Haro for looking after me, Baz Keep for hooking me up with Seventies. Also the Seventies guys for sorting out all my Orchid and Primo stuff. Pete Hawkins for getting me started in the beginning, DJ for helping me manage my shit, and of course Amy coz she is the bomb! Thanks!

Frame: Haro Convert
Fork: Primo Kamakarzi
Cranks: Primo hollow bite
Chainring: Primo
Chain: KMC
Front hub: Primo N4
Rear hub: Proper cassette
Front rim: Primo Balance
Rear rim: Primo Balance
Spokes: Primo
Tyres: KHE Mack 2 (dirt front street back)
Bars: Macneil XLT
Stem: Superstar
Grips: Primo
Lever(s): Odyssey small lever
Brake(s): Odyssey Module 2
Detangler: Snafu
Seat: Primo
Post: Primo
Seat clamp: Haro
Pegs: Macneil ti
Headset: FSA
Any extras: Ti crank spindle, ti rear axle, and hub guard
Modifications: Couple of secret holes to help with the weight!