Blk Mrkt Bikes

Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival....

2010-03-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Last week I mentioned the bike festival in Santa Cruz that Lisa was helping put together in conjunction with the California Premiere of Awesome Land... Women of Dirt Movie at the Rio Theater.

Adam and I went and rode in the demo at the new Fun Spot skatepark with other local BlkMrkt riders Jim Tharp, Jacob Hyde and of course Lisa along with about 20 other kids on bikes of all sizes.

Here's a few pics from the day... The premiere turned out well with over 500 heads in attendance and a lot of raffle goodies!!! Hope you all had fun, we did!

The deck at the Fun Spot was crowded on Saturday

The Santa Cruz Fun Spot.

Adam Vader Jams the steep half pipe...

Adam threw down and left the crowd wondering "How the hell did he do that???" while Jim silently flowed around the park on his rigid, brakeless, chainless and sprocketless Mob looking like a pirate... I love Jim!!!

Me... euro

Adam's Winter Get-A-Way...

2010-02-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

Sunny, 72 and palm trees in February... Sonia is gonna have your ass boy.

While Adam's mom and girl Sonia are waist deep in fresh snow back in Jersey... Adam made the annual Winter break in Cali.

We'll be heading up to Santa Cruz on Saturday for the MBOSC Bike Festival and some testing with X-Fusion's new 02 RCX shock that will be tuned specifically for the demands of the Killswitch. But for right now we've been digging at the step-up and riding some local parks.

Justin Wyper & Blk Mrkt...

2010-02-25T20:38:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of years a skinny blonde kid from British Columbia named Justin Wyper has been throwing down some pretty wild stuff with mixed results. Some good... some not so good but he his always entertaining and pushing his riding. Lately Justin has been stepping up his game by filming with guys like Don Hampton for the upcoming DVD release... Here We Go Again.

Black Market will be hooking Justin with frames while he receives help from his other co-sponsors: NSMB, SRAM, Fox and Avid. Here's a look a Justin's new ride.

Justin Wyper Bike Check from Brock Anderson on Vimeo.

Those were the days...

2010-02-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

Brent clears the yard gap with style and grace.

I remember when all it took to have a sick session was a 6' piece of 3/4" plywood and 3 car tires, 2 stacked on top of each other and one about 3' back to act as a spring. You can get some serious pop but the flat landings always sucked.

I found this pic on PinkBike.com, these guys at least built a landing ramp...

Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival....

2010-02-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Two-Day Mountain Bike Festival in Santa Cruz Brings Professional Female Mountain Bike Riders Including Lisa Myklak, Emily Johnston, Tammy Donahugh and Kathy Pruitt

MBOSC presents the first Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival from February 27-28, 2010Featuring the California premier of Awesome Land: Women of Dirt.

Pending good weather, events held in conjunction with the premier include an open group ride through the Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF) and a Jump Jam at Depot Park in Santa Cruz with the pro women on Feb 28th.

There will a $1/ticket event raffle after the film with a lot of great prizes including an Intense 5.5 EVP frame, a Fox 36 Talas RC2 fork and a BlkMrkt Mob frame (Chrome). There are many other prizes offered by local businesses including cycling clothing, CamelBaks, Light and Motion bike lights and gift certificates. You must be present to win at the raffle

There will also be a $5/ticket raffle for a new 2010 Titus El Guapo All Mountain Bike. Raffle tickets will go on sale at the Bike Festival until the Sea Otter Classic in April. We will do the drawing for the bike at the Sea Otter at the MBOSC booth.

Proceeds from the festivities will go toward efforts to rebuild and reopen the SDSF parking lot - which has been closed due to environmental issues.

The Titus Group Ride at Soquel Demo State Forest - Feb 27th 9:30 am

There will be a group ride at Soquel Demonstration State Forest starting at 9:30 am with many of the women featured in the film.

Titus Bikes will be on hand to allow riders to demo the El Guapo - a 6" travel all mountain bike - perfect for the trails at SDSF.

The BlkMrk Bikes Jump Jam at Depot Park - Feb 28th 10-3pm

The pro women from the event will be participating in a Jump Jam held at Depot Park in Santa Cruz from 10-3pm. BlkMrkt Bikes will have several of their bikes on hand to demonstrate.

California Premier of Awesome Land: Women of Dirt - Feb 28th 7 pm

Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz has teamed up with Bones Over Metal to host the California Premier of Awesome Land: Women of Dirt. The event is scheduled to take place on Feb 28, 2010, at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz at 7 pm. This unique film spotlights some of the most talented women on knobby tires and the lifestyles that allow them to ride. Tickets can be purchased at the door or most local bike shops in Santa Cruz.

The film Awesome Land: Women Of Dirt looks through the eyes of the wondrous women that have helped grow the sports of gravity mountain biking, downhill racing, dirt jumping and free riding. Featured riders Lisa Myklak, Emily Johnston, Tammy Donahugh and Kathy Pruitt will be present at the premier, along with the filmmaker Mark Brent. There will be a Q&A session with the guests moderated Karen Kefauver, a freelance sports and travel journalist who authors the cycling column, Spin City for the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

"Our goal is to support local riding groups like MBoSC and cycling non-profits to host regional shows and share the 'awesomeness' the mountain bike has to offer. We want to give back to the community, and we want to do this in a way that the local organizations and promoters get to keep all the funds raised," said film producer Mark Brent.

Tickets for the film are $10 and can be purchased before hand at the following local bike shops:

Trailhead Cyclery, San Jose
Passion Trail Bikes, Belmont
Another Bike Shop (ABS), Westside Santa Cruz
Epicenter Cycling, Aptos
Aptos Bike Station, Aptos
The Spokesman, Downtown Santa Cruz
The Bicycle Trip, Seabright neighborhood Santa Cruz
Family Cycling Center, Eastside Santa Cruz
Scotts Valley Cycle Sport, Scotts Valley

We will be selling tickets to the film and the raffles at the SDSF ride and the Jump Jam.

Killswitch

2010-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

BLACK MARKET KILLSWITCH PROMO from Nick Brandreth on Vimeo.

BLACK MARKET BIKES PRESS RELEASE:

The 2010 Black Market Killswitch Promo Video Online Today

And Production Sample In Hand.

There's almost nothing better than when you’re expecting something new and exciting to show-up. Today just happened to be one of those days and the waiting is over!!!! We just received the first production sample of our most ambitious project to date...

So, without further adieu... I give you the Black Market Killswitch exactly as you will see it in approximately 40 days... that's right, 40 days!!!

The Killswitch.

Thought out touches like cable routing, replaceable threaded inserts or nuts at every bolt location and a replaceable BB shell combine to make this, one bad mutha...

The Hammer-Link is the epicenter of our suspension technology providing 100mm of extremely versatile travel. After months of successful testing it has undergone some additional machining to reduce weight in non-structural areas.

Note: This is your first look at the 2010 X Fusion 02 RCX which has been tuned to match our frames demands and has preformed extremely well during testing!!!

Replaceable drop outs in horizontal, vertical or Maxle versions. Drop outs are "Lego Fit" into the drop out lug and held firm with 2 x 8mm bolts... no chain ring bolts here.

Killswitch Features:

Handmade from a custom 6061 T6 tubeset with precision CNC'd linkages & yokes.

Black Market's own proprietary Hammer-Link design with 100mm travel.

Replaceable Nylock nuts and threaded inserts milled into the frame at all bolt locations and shock mount points protect against over zealous mechanics and owners a like.

Custom Killswitch tuned X-Fusion 02 RCX shock.

All hardware and bearings are easily accessible for ease of maintenance and repairs.

Blk Mrkt Cartidge Zero Stack headset (included) design to allow for the lowest front end possible.

Replaceable BB shell also acts as massive 30mm pivot axle.

Replaceable drop outs in horizontal (included), vertical or maxle versions(sold separately).

Sizes: S (21"), M (22") & L (23")
Colors: Flat Black, Flat Grey, Flat Purple

Weight: 7lbs. 10 oz. with shock and hardware.

For more info or dealer inquiries please e mail

Mondo@BlackMarketBikes.com

5 hours at Woodward...

2010-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

Jim shreds everything in sight...

Last week Lisa Myklak and Jim Tharp drove down to Woodward West from Aptos so they could get out of the week long rain delay.

Since they were gonna be there for a while to ride and it was raining here I headed up there to hang and ride with them... here's a short edit and a couple of pics from the afternoon.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Short Woodward Edit from carter holland on Vimeo.

VVC Force... Vishneviy

2010-02-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

I've been waiting for this video to be finished for a bit... check it out. Vishneviy kills on his Contraband... V.O.D. on PinkBike.com right now...

Lock your doors, he's got a gun!!!

2010-02-05T22:18:00.000-08:00

Don Hampton has a lot of experience making MTB films but here he takes his life in his own hands... giving Adam a shotgun with live rounds. I've seen him with an airsoft gun... no fun.

Don has been keeping the riding shots close to his vest during his preparation for the release of his 25th film... "HERE WE GO AGAIN" which will premiere at the Sea Otter in Monterey, Ca.

Be there...

The real Ray's Odd Couple Results... with videos!

2010-02-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Here we go again... this time with fervor!!!

1st PLACE... ROCCO QUINTILIANI & BRIAN KACHINSKY

1st Place Ray's Odd Couple 2010 - Rocco Quintiliani & Brian Kachinsky from RaysMTB on Vimeo.

2ND PLACE ADAM HAUCK & KRIS MARCUM & JEFF KOCSIS

2nd Place Ray's Odd Couple 2010 - Adam Hauck, Kris Marcum, & Jeff Kocsis from RaysMTB on Vimeo.

3RD PLACE JEFF LENOSKY & CHRIS ACETO

3rd Place Ray's Odd Couple 2010 - Jeff Lenosky & Chris Aceto from RaysMTB on Vimeo.

Summer in (NOT IN) New Zealand... ummm, turns out... I meant to say Australia

2010-01-31T19:36:00.000-08:00

Karl Benseman sent in some photos from where it's hot and sunny... (not) New Zealand... Australia!

So, while you may be under a foot or more of snow or still baling the water out of your local skatepark because it was built at the bottom of a 200' hill that WAS covered by 2" of wood chips like so...

Laguna Hills wakeboard park is now open daily...

Still not NZ...

Ummm, you may need more than a broom.

Here's how they're gettin' on down there...

Ryan "Squid" Chesney throws a mean tuck no hander when he's not bangin' bars in 4X... In Australia.

Karl divin' in...

In Australia.

One mo' time... Karl dumps a 3... by Tim Kerr

In Australia.

Sometimes things just don't go as planned in Hazard County as you'd like'em too.

Nor Cal reppin'...

2010-01-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

I found these photos by Brian Raphael on PinkBike... Brian, Sergio and Trevor are always up to something and they usually are making it look fun. Here's a small example of their antics... you can find more at BrianRaphaelPhotography.blogspot.com.

Sergio drift...

How's that feel???

Trevor top side no can.

Scenic SF railhop. Trevor

Brian knows how to impress the ladies.

Brian steps out from behind the camera for a big railhop...

Ray's Odd Couple Results

2010-01-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

Adam just checked in from Cleveland to let me know who made the podium at the 2nd Annual Ray's Odd Couple contest.

Ray's Odd Couple Podium

1st Rocco Quintiliani/ Brian Kachinski

2nd Adam Hauck/ Kris Markum

3rd Jeff Lenosky/ Chris Aceto

I'll post the videos as soon as they're available...

Ray's Odd Couple Contest this weekend!!!!

2010-01-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

It's time for Ray's to throw their 2nd annual Odd Couple contest where one 20'er, one 26'er & one filmer team up to film and edit an impromptu riding video. If you haven't been to Ray's and you're close enough to get there... do it!!! This is possibly the coolest contest to be there for.... not only can you watch all the teams film their parts but you get to see their debut's at the party. So, get to Ray's and go cheer on your favorite riders as they ride the raddest indoor spot ever built.

Just a preview of what you will see this weekend...

ChaseLife 4 (Rays Comp) from Aaron Chase on Vimeo.

Cheap Thrills!!!

2010-01-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

Robert Angle get flat over K.O.D.

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

If there's one thing I've missed over the last few years it was the massive Sheep Hills sessions of 30 + riders and the huge trains that ensue... Well, I'm very happy to report that Sheep has definitely still has it's magic in full effect!

It's crazy, everything has changed... the bikes, the riders, the style of the jumps. Everything!!! But, nothing has changed!!! Everyday the trails and weather permit there's a good size session and everyone is there for the same reason... to have fun on their bikes no matter the size.

Here's a few pics from the last days before today's all day downpour with more coming all week...

Oh well, I'm glad I got to ride until the rain started.

I don't know this guy but he throws a Griz air against a rad sky at night.

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

The Wildman is always ready to bring back the classics with a stretched 1 foot X thru Spoon.

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

Pedro has gone from a weird little kid to weird big kid with a talent for riding anything with style and building rat rods.

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

Gee Atherton took sometime out of his abdominal training to come enjoy some Sheep Dirt just before the week long downpour... Damn you El Nino!!!

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

Dan Atherton is the only guy who does as many laps as I do in a day at the trails... and more.

Dan is a shredder!

Photo: Eiichi Yabu

Jake Kinney made it up from SD and threw down until he came up short on K.O.D. and choppered his fork... ouch.

Photo: Erik Winkler

Devin cracks the whip for Eiichi's lens

Eiichi catches me mid, "Holy ffffff!!!" during a first run over-shoot into a very tight left hand hairpin on K.O.D.

Just a guess but I think Zeus likes it here.

Photo Eiichi Yabu

Love to flow Spoon.

Photo Eiichi Yabu

Zeus has Sheep Hill wired... he's actually able to keep up with me for an entire lap... sometimes catching me in the "Kiddie Pack" berm.

Photo Eiichi Yabu

Skills...

2010-01-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

Just found this on Transworld... Ian Mcomber definitely is riding to the beat of a different drummer.

Gotta Blast: Ian Mcomber - watch more skate, snow, surf, and moto videos

Contraband build for Ray's

2010-01-15T17:20:00.000-08:00

Side on, ride on, right on. And to answer all the questions about the seat... that's a stripped down version of the SDG Patriot I Beam. Seat and 4.5" Post weigh in at 8.8 oz.

Straight on.

Contraband art by Chad Carother's of Index Ink.

Somehow we're calling this dark orange... hmmmm, it's more a burnt umber, but it's growing on me... Note: This is the 395mm Tech 9 in clear raw.

Since we are very new to the 24" market and seeing as it is a very small market as well, with many, many skeptics and critics a like. I was never a fan of throwing a set of 24's on a 26" frame because, well... it just looked off. When I was racing 20", I always preferred and rode my cruiser better than my 20". So, for me 24's seem to have a natural feel and since I'm vertically challenged... 26's can be a bit much to get away from when things go bad riding park and street, specially learning new shit.

Why am I babbling about this you ask??? Well, with all these factors against the poor 24", I've decided I'm building up a sweet rigid Contraband and send it to a place where countless riders will have an opportunity to throw a leg over and taker her for a spin... literally. I'm sending this machine to Ray's MTB in sunny Cleveland, Ohio. Only a few more components and it's ready to roll...

Malice and Soldier... Part II

2010-01-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

Kenda K-Rad's and a 26:12 featuring the Revolver Lite 7075 sporocket and close engagement cassestte hub keep the Malice ahead of the pack.

The new improved Marzocchi DJ1 looks great and feels better than years past.

30 lbs. of bad attitude and good times waiting for you here.

2010 Blk Mrkt Malice available Spring 2010

Upgraded spec and a lower price tag for 2010... US MSRP $999.99

thru your local BlkMrkt dealer Spring 2010.

Embossed Brass Knuckle slim seat with the new BlkMrkt Billy Club 1 bolt action seat post and Collar seat clamp all help round out this out of the box killer.

Real BlkMrkt Bada Boom 25.4mm bars with Adam Hauck grips, Underboss stem, Hayes brakes and the new improved Marzocchi DJ3 help keep the bumps to a minimum.

2010 Blk Mrkt SOLDIER available Spring 2010

I am so relieved to finally be able to show you the final 2 color ways for the 2010 completes and have them not be computer generated or mocked up in my garage with spray paint while downing a PBR at 2 AM.

So without further adieu... here are the 2010 SOLDIER & MALICE in their 2nd color ways.

Featuring graphics by Index Ink's Chad Carothers... Hope you dig.

Women Of Dirt Trailer

2010-01-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

Lisa Myklak and Emily Johnston called last night on their drive home from a day of riding Woodward West and let me know about a new video coming soon... "Women of Dirt"

What's different about this movie? Foregoing the obvious title give away... It's all about the chicks getting dirrty on their bikes. Look for Lisa, Emily and a bevy of female shredders to brighten your day as they rip a turn or hit a 60 footer at race speed... Some girls, got balls???

New Malice & Soldier pics...

2010-01-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

Soldier controls... Hayes MX4 brakes

Rim art detail.

Soldier drive train

2010 Soldier US MSRP $999.99

BlkMrkt bar/stem combo with Hayes Stroker Ryde & Adam Hauck grips.

Malice rear detail

The 2010 Malice US MSRP $1300.00

We've started receiving our first run of our own products after a long wait... but they'll be rolling in on a regular basis for the next few months. As the weather warms up we'll be releasing all the 2010 line-up. This shipment brought in the Contraband's, Bada Boom bars and 2 samples of each complete.

Here's our first real look at the 2010 Malice in tan & purple and the Soldier in blue & grey. Hope you like these... I'll have the other 2 colorways for you eyes this week.

Please Note: The 2010 Soldier in blue will come with 2 blue rims instead of 1 grey.

Chase Life Vol. 10.... 2009 Wrap Up

2010-01-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

ChaseLife 10 (wrap up) from Aaron Chase on Vimeo.

Cult Bikes

2010-01-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

I just saw this up on Ride BMX'x website and it made me smile.

Dakota Roche's new Cult

DAK

I'm very happy for Rob O and Neal Wood as they have both made the split from tyrannical world. I spoke with Neal the on Saturday who actually made it out to Sheep Hills to ride his bike for the first time in many months...

Good luck guys!!!

The Contraband is here...

2010-01-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

The new Lock-Down lock-on grip with integrated lock guard to keep your hands from coming into contact with those comfy bolts.

Field of bars.

It's official... We are finally taking delivery of our first shipment of products that belong to us and not the man. Thank F'N something!!!

Our first shipment is small and only handful what we will offer in the 2010 BlkMrkt product line... this shipment will include the new Contraband 24" frame in 3 colors, 21.5" or 22" TT. We'll also have BADA BOOM bars back in stock in 4 colors... and finally a few production samples of the Malice & Soldier completes.

The next boat will be here in Feb. and that will contain most of our small parts, grips, pedals... yada yada. More info on that when the time comes.

Killswitch update

2010-01-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick update on the Killswitch. After several months of successful testing, we made a few adjustments. Most notably was removing the adjustable head angle steer tube. Testing proved to me the 90* headset is too temperamental for our application. Other than that we lost some weight in several overbuilt areas and I'm looking forward to the new production sample.

Until then here's the new Killswitch webpage.

Cartel... Japan part 2

2009-12-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

Like I said... "Clean."

Sorry for my lack of reader rides... I've been slammed with tons of other thangs like web edits and photo editing but I'll try to be more diligent about it in 2010 as we'll have a section dedicated to your pics.

Until then, here's Tetsuwa's clean 06 Mob out of Chiba, Japan.