22 inches of Love - it feels just right
- Thread starter oldtricks
- Start date
I contacted S&M last spring about a custom 22" and Moeller himself suggested I contact FBM and John Lee--before their welder left. He was willing to do the forks, but not the frame b/c of the costs involved. It appears that time and demand have given him a new outlook.
I hope they do decide to go beyond the prototype stage and go into full production--or at least custom production. My 20" and 24" are S&Ms. I'll be inquiring later this week about a frame.
I hope they do decide to go beyond the prototype stage and go into full production--or at least custom production. My 20" and 24" are S&Ms. I'll be inquiring later this week about a frame.
Well there ya go. He mentioned it to me at the Halloween party. I haven't thought too much about it since, but I suppose I'll have to get one after all...
Like some one said earlier in this post. The 22" frame and fork is nothing without a good set of rims, good set of dirt,park,street tires. Other than that I think a 22" is a very cool idea. And should be explored. I think there is a market for a 22" but dont know how much of a market
stop fence-sitting and ride one already ! where do you live?
i agree with the tires statement, but properly maintaining your wheelset will keep even the flimsiest rims running solid for a long time...
true. but in a way, the more interesting thing is when people stop scoffing.
* remember when bars taller than 8.25" were considered ludicrous and stupid?
* remember when people said 26" wheels were simply unsuitable for serious jumping/tricks/park riding?
* remember when bmx'ers scoffed at switching to 1 1/8" head tubes? (i distinctly remember circa 1995 a lot of bmx'ers saying F that mtb sht !)
* remember when brakeless was just a fringe thing a few Western state dirtbag riders were doing. (Gonz, Ratboy, Troy McMurray).
or in other parts of life. mp3 players didn't blow up until Apple re-designed and re-marketed them with the iPod. etc.
like i have said before, i don't 22" is a genius invention. it's just a necessary size option that has been missing and will definitely work for riders who dig it. what if surfing was just short boards and longboards, but no mediums?
If you get it, you get it. If not, meh.
There will always be people that are against anything different. Freestyle is all about trying new things.
*edit
Mark Noble said on Moellers FB page, something about it being an interesting development. I feel like TMZ mentioning that....
There will always be people that are against anything different. Freestyle is all about trying new things.
*edit
Mark Noble said on Moellers FB page, something about it being an interesting development. I feel like TMZ mentioning that....
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I guess I'm going to have to cart my ass over to s&m and talk them into letting me ride one huh?
Not me. I wasnt even sure that S&M built the one Moeller told me about. But I had about 80 oz of Olde English in me when we were talking so take my recollections for what they're worth.
I've been kind of lukewarm on the whole 22" thing but I'll admit I'm starting to succumb to the hype and I'm getting interested.
I've been kind of lukewarm on the whole 22" thing but I'll admit I'm starting to succumb to the hype and I'm getting interested.
I've put in my request for the 22" Dirtbike and have been working my connections @ The Building Distribution. If enough people are serious about getting one, S&M will eventually make them--at least as customs. They are already making the 22" Pitchforks.
I heard tonight from an S&M employee that the 22" frame and fork will be going into full production and it should be available for the summer!!!
had a nice delivery today! the guys at faction hooked me up with a spare amero prototype frame/forks and some old zeitgeist wheels. only managed a pedal on the road so far as its raining, feels comfortable even though its 1/2inch shorter than my 20" frame, will take it to the pump track tomorrow for a proper try out.
also put forks and wheels on my 20" frame. 22"top tube, 14.25 rear. think it looks a treat, deffinatly scope for bigger/longer frames with 22" wheels. defo the answer for us tall guys
also put forks and wheels on my 20" frame. 22"top tube, 14.25 rear. think it looks a treat, deffinatly scope for bigger/longer frames with 22" wheels. defo the answer for us tall guys
the Amero looks rad! what's the 20" frame? a MacNeil ?had a nice delivery today! the guys at faction hooked me up with a spare amero prototype frame/forks and some old zeitgeist wheels. only managed a pedal on the road so far as its raining, feels comfortable even though its 1/2inch shorter than my 20" frame, will take it to the pump track tomorrow for a proper try ...
also put forks and wheels on my 20" frame. 22"top tube, 14.25 rear. think it looks a treat, deffinatly scope for bigger/longer frames with 22" wheels. defo the answer for us tall guys
nope not a macneil, standard trail boss custom.
the amero rides nice, only had a 30 min ride on a little pump track though. could defo do with a larger tyre on the front than the 2.1, maybe a slightly lower bb as well.
other than that well impressed, well done faction for getting this started!
interestingly nobody noticed the wheels were larger until it was pointed out to them.
the amero rides nice, only had a 30 min ride on a little pump track though. could defo do with a larger tyre on the front than the 2.1, maybe a slightly lower bb as well.
other than that well impressed, well done faction for getting this started!
interestingly nobody noticed the wheels were larger until it was pointed out to them.
What's the bb height? Is it the same relationship to the rear axle as the 20? Meaning the bb would be an inch higher off the ground than on a 20?
Interested to see how this goes. 5 or 10 yrs from now will this be the wheel size that dominates the parks and trails? Both groms and old heads on 22's?
Bigger question.... Is this the largest wheel size you could have that will STILL have the look and style of a 20 both sitting still and while riding?
Interested to see how this goes. 5 or 10 yrs from now will this be the wheel size that dominates the parks and trails? Both groms and old heads on 22's?
Bigger question.... Is this the largest wheel size you could have that will STILL have the look and style of a 20 both sitting still and while riding?
http://www.bmxunion.com/blog/interview/insight-sm-22-bikes/#more-21730
Bringing back the Holmes name with style...
Bringing back the Holmes name with style...
Faction is basically two guys paying for this stuff out of their own pockets. That's the reason it is taking them so long.
they own million dollar motorcycles. Sell them, build bikes, sell bikes. They could have pre-sold parts/frames and had them available sooner. I've been waiving a wallet full of cash around for nearly 2 years waiting for their new frame.
I don't think their ability to communicate is very strong. The word, 'Ketch' comes to mind for some reason.....
Honestly, I think if they can get parts made, they'll do fine.
I don't think their ability to communicate is very strong. The word, 'Ketch' comes to mind for some reason.....
Honestly, I think if they can get parts made, they'll do fine.
Keith owns million dollar motorcycles?
Don't get me wrong I own a Faction and love it. It will stay with me for life now as I think it is now much like a collectors item.
Sadly in today's competitive world I think if S&M come then that will be it. We have been waiting for the Amero for nearly 2 years now which for me is too long.
As a result I have gone down the 24" route with a model C and I have set it up exactly as I have my Faction - same size cockpit. It is simply a question of parts availability and choice.
I do hope Faction do well though.
Sadly in today's competitive world I think if S&M come then that will be it. We have been waiting for the Amero for nearly 2 years now which for me is too long.
As a result I have gone down the 24" route with a model C and I have set it up exactly as I have my Faction - same size cockpit. It is simply a question of parts availability and choice.
I do hope Faction do well though.
So, does the 20" frame work with the 22" forks and wheels? Does the brake work, or do you have to run it brake-less? I have custom S&M 22" Pitchforks on the way and will be trying this set-up out with a midschool Holmes frame. I'll post pics with reports on progress when I receive the forks.had a nice delivery today! the guys at faction hooked me up with a spare amero prototype frame/forks and some old zeitgeist wheels. only managed a pedal on the road so far as its raining, feels comfortable even though its 1/2inch shorter than my 20" frame, will take it to the pump track tomorrow for a proper try out.
View attachment 110163
also put forks and wheels on my 20" frame. 22"top tube, 14.25 rear. think it looks a treat, deffinatly scope for bigger/longer frames with 22" wheels. defo the answer for us tall guys
View attachment 110164
it does work, just. i can stretch the brake pads to the limit to hit the rim and the wheel sits ok, but the tyre is very close to the seat stay bridge.
will be riding this set up soon so i can compare it to the amero.
I just picked-up 3 of the Meghana 22" tires and they are ****! All three are warped/poorly molded and one of them blew-out at 60 PSI as I was inflating it with a hand pump! Amazing, considering the label says max PSI is 110. When Faction gets the new stuff going, I would go with those tires, as Keith and Kev have invested a lot of time and $ with the 22" set-up. There's also the future release of the S&M tires, as well.
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I'm just waiting on my forks from S&M to give this a shot. I'm a little leery to go all out with the tires that I have, since all 3 are piss-poor in material and craftsmanship. See the above post by me. Are you running Faction's old wire-bead tires or their new ones? Maybe another companies? Good luck, all the same.
ive got an old faction tire on the front and a meghana on the rear. i agree they are a very cheap quality tire, will be investing in new factions/s&m's as soon as they are available. the old faction dirt tires are ok, just a little too thin at 2.1, 2.3's or 2.4's would be sweet
I am going to put in an order for a 22" custom from standard. Think I might use the same geo as the one in earlier posts.(21tt,74.5 ht,14in rear,12.5 bb) I am only 5'6, anything bigger is silly. I see the biggest frustration is wheel/tire choice. I am having trouble tracking down a pair of Velocity Taipans as well.... I've found some decent looking tires, http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Innova_2505_BMX On Innova's website they have a few other 22" tires to check out. Supposedly kenda and Schwalbe also have 22 tires according to http://www.factionbikeco.com/contact.htm (top right side)
