SinisterBikes

photographer

hey there,

just wanted to let everyone know that Rory  Birt took those amazing photos of Shane Wode ripping it up in OZ! big shout out to a talented photog!
peace
s

R9 right drop out

On the right drop out on our 05/06 R9 frames, tightening the oinch bolt may cause a small crack to appear on the inside and outside of the dropout. These bolts do not need much more than a slight "snug" to prevent the axle from unscrewing (not likely anyway) . These slight cracks are not a structural problem but we will replace them at no charge upon our receiving the damaged part to any customers who are concerned.

back in the saddle

no, I never left it.. just got a new one.. a Brooks. It's hard as a rock. I am told that once you break it in it's worth the effort. I put it on a 4:30 this morning. My thought was if I was hardcore enough to work on my bike at that hour I could handle the break in period. My ass hurts. Could have been the work shorts and boxers that were gettin' sweaty on this most humid of mornings? Hardcore not.

I hope I get to ride enough at Pedrofest this weekend to either toughen up get that saddle broken in. Looks like the cooperation will have to come from my end. literally.

I am looking forward to not using my crap-0 night light on a night ride by borrowing one of the nice ones those “light guys” bring so I don’t cause problems again. Riding with no light is hard-core. Running out of juice and wishing you didn’t is not. (Battery power, not EPO or PBJ or PBR)

It was cool to Meet Lilias also.. I was surprised she noticed so much here. Most people are overwhelmed coming into a machine shop like this. You can tell by the photos this place is a Mind full.

Mind full it is.. Mind full of pride over how well we are represented at local events. This isn’t a pat on the back of Sinister staff but a high five for our customers having fun and racing hard. It’s a cool gig isn’t it?

Makes me glad that I still looked forward to getting back in the saddle.

sick video

check out this video of this little ripper! wow, looks like he needs a custom DNA!
http://media.putfile.com/Noah-Episode-III
cheers
skye

shane wode

Shane Wode has done it again, tearing up the Austrailian circuit. For those who aren't familiar with "Wodie", he's not only fast but is a world class freerider. check him out in the Red Bulll Rampage from Jindabyne video to see him tearing it up!  Go Shane!

Race Elements Kenilworth Classic

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Elite Men
1. Shane Wode - Sinister-ftr.com-Atomlab-ITS  3:29.38
2. Lindsay Klein - Santa Cruz-ftr.com-Farkin.net  3:37.12
3. Adam Smithson - GT Bicycles-Fox-Smith Optics  3:41.13
4. Mitch Afflick -  evil-psycho-violence  3:44.37
5. Tim McCullough - ftr.com-Santa Cruz  3:45.68
peace
skye

Lilias Ide field report

 I finally got to see the faces that go with the voices at Sinister Bikes. And just in case anyone reading this hasn’t been there, I’d like to describe the scene. 

Skye picked me up at the airport in his home on wheels. I don’t know if anyone knows this, but Skye has always been a van man. You know, back in the 80’s he was “that guy;” a mullet wearing, Journey blaring, Miller drinking, tinted window, shag interior “van man!” But by now, he as evolved into a “van man” of the 2000’s which is a more refined version in a Dodge Sprinter housing mostly bikes, surfboards, longboards and other extreme sports paraphernalia. Aaah, thanks goodness for evolution. But I am digressing, so I’ll get back to the story.

After driving over hill and dale, through quaint villages of steeples and town halls with views of trees, trees and more trees, past the John Deere dealership and the Massey Ferguson dealership (I heard they’re making a comeback,) we turn on the a dirt road and there we are at the factory. 

We go in and there is Frank- and what do you know, he’s welding! But he stops and shakes my hand, shoots the shit and gives me some breath mints. I try not to be offended, he gave some to the other guy there too and he says he gives them to everybody (just in case?) Anyhow, it was nice of him and I like him a lot. I heard he likes Stouts so if you get the chance and you want to thank him for dedicating his life to building amazing bikes, buy him one, I bet he’d like it.

Then there’s Rob and he’s really cool too! He’s the other guy who makes the frames come together. From what I hear, the place would have trouble running without him and he is an awesome rider.

Paul is the master machinist and he’s really smart. He is the guy who figures out exactly and I mean EXACTLY what size each part needs to be and how to tell the machines to make it. If you’ve ever though about tolerances and how important they are, you will know that each piece needs to fit together in a very precise manner. This guy makes it happen. The fact that Paul is right there making sure that every piece is machined to perfection, instills trust in me. I think it is a sign of high quality control. He even speaks English (as his native language.)

Skye, well he’s the rally man. I’ve never met anyone with a more positive energy and it’s all aimed towards Sinister. He keeps the ideas flowing and the word out on the streets and in the mountains.

And then there’s the steady flow of riders that stop in and hang out. Because Frank, Rob and Skye ride too and everyone knows how important that is. They put their heart and soul in to the company and then they walk the walk (or ride the ride,) they don’t just talk the talk.

By this time, it is pouring down rain and it has become obvious that our ride is not going to happen. But, never a dull moment, Skye and I retire to his office and I am given the honored task of cutting a stencil out of cardboard with a dull matte knife. Although the ride would have been fun, could it have been that much fun? Probably not.

Although I could go on and on about the fun times I had, my point is that this is why I ride with Sinister; because they make ass kicking bikes, they don’t compromise quality and they’re super nice guys.

Cheers
Lilias

more domination

well, the bikes won't stop!
here is a race report fromBrian Price from team 9.8/sinister bikes/germantown cycles, our kick ass satellite team from the DC area. and Jamie Ford rips again!

Pretty awesome weekend for team 9.8 and Sinister at the second race of the Snowshoe series, though the first actually raced. Team 9.8 ruled the podium of the dual with a fourth place from B.J. Treglia, a third from me, and a victory from Jason Beckley. The downhill was more of the same domination by Sinister with a fourth place for 9.8er Trevyn Newpher, who also served as race promoter; a third by teammate Josh Clark and another dominated performance and victory for Jamie Ford, whe edged out national team rider Chris Herndon earning him a sweet $1600. I told him he should not only buy us dinner, but should also give us some gas money. He thought I was joking.

-bp

good egg

Lars borrowed my pedals for his race run. Years of racing here and there, for this brand or that team and always flying the flag of sportsmanship and healthy competitiveness this world champion still schools the young guns when push comes to shove.

            Paying his own way much of the time, this racer’s sponsors always get their monies worth. From record setting gap jumps over RV's to traveling all over the world in pursuit of the podium this guy has done it all and still has more to offer. A spokesman for the “put up or shut up” school of ethics this racer never performs up to his own expectations and always exceeds ours. And he needed a little help.

            I got to spend a little time with Lars and his family at the recent Mid-Atlantic race at Wisp resort in

Maryland

this past weekend. A consummate gentleman and a class clown rolled into one, hanging with Lars is always a pleasure. After 12 hours of solo driving while still feeling the 60 hour pull from the week before nothing beats a breakfast with likes of Lars and Derek to keep you looking over your shoulder for the rest of the day.

            Though Lars might say It was I who did him a favor with use of my pedals, this is not true my friend, I was just returning one favor long overdue.

rep land

We got to finally all meet Lilias Ide, our pacific northwest rep in person when she came out to the northeast last week. we got rained out on the ride so we just put her to work! anyone out in that neck of the woods(oregon, wash, BC etc) who needs a demo or advice should look her up. here she is jumping on her beloved DNA.
  and she builds some mean trails too......

     I've been hurt for almost 2 weeks and decided enough was enough!

I got out at the Bolton Valley freeride weekend(we're a sponsor) and the arm felt ok. the next day hit attitash in 100 degree weather and then got a few fun runs in at Killington with the man, Vin Q. and his bro, Eben. I love Vermont man, the vibe is sooo good!  We met up with Mark from Highland and his beautiful wife and daughter and hung at his winter crib for a while and then hit the Outlook for some eats. great to get to know  Mark and Lauren more and hear the story of how Highland was created. They are super motivated and I know Highland will be more amazing as time goes on.
here's Mark testing out my r-9 earlier in the season during a work weekend up on the hill.

Here's his business partner Will shredding on my old MXS

Matt Eramo, Jamie Ford and crew go off!

well after the claremont DH, Matt and Jamie and the crew put on a show. pictures courtesy of Yeti 187 from BustedSpoke.com thanks much bro, we owe you some swag!

Eramo pulled a move that many people are still talking about, gap to hip onto a log ride and out ...smooth and people say perfect!@ here's a couple shots of Matt hitting a jump after the race which he ripped in despite unearthing a tree on one run! Matt is one of the most talented riders that I have ever seen, so smooth!

the jump was a homemade contraption handbuilt by  Vermont legendary freerider, "Stompy". He builds like he rides....scary! anyone who ever had the privelege of riding his trails know what i'm talking about! Here's he is giving matt's r-9 a spin. 

stompy going for it!

well, thats when things got interesting and Jamie Ford got some bright ideas that he would just skip riding the whole thing and just boost it! check the distance on this! it was amazing to watch dude! guess he wasn't happy to just win the race.....

but jamie still wanted more so he decided to step it up and nail a jump that many people will be talking about for years to come!  54 foot jump to a non-existent tranny from a non-existent teeter! so sick!

holy shiite!