BMX UNION

Let’s take a look at Leon Hoppe’s fresh Radio Bikes setup!

All Photos by Aaron Zwaal

There’s not much else better than building up a fresh bike! The other week Leon Hoppe dialed in a brand new Radio Bikes Nemesis setup decked out top to bottom in parts from Radio Bikes, Wethepeople, Eclat and Salt Plus parts to keep him rolling. The bike was looking too good not to do a quick bike check with Leon to talk about the bike, his travel plans, filming, a new signature sprocket that’s in the works and more! Check out the full bike check below!

Current Location: Krefeld, Germany

Sponsors: Radio Bikes, Saltplus Components, Peoples Store, The Fella BMX

Years riding: 8 years

Frame: Radio Bikes NEMESIS 20.75”
Bars: Wethepeople PATHFINDER sample, 9″ rise
Fork: Radio Bikes NEMESIS

Stem: Radio Bikes Axis
Headset: Saltplus Dual

Seat: Radio Bikes Tripod
Post: Radio Bikes Tripod

Sprocket: Éclat Vent Guard
Crank: Wethepeople Awake 170mm
Chain: Eclat Diesel 
Pedals: Éclat Plaza

Rear Wheel: Federal Freecoaster / Saltplus Mesa Rim
Front Wheel: Saltplus Trapez Hub / Saltplus Mesa Rim

Tires: Saltplus Sting 2.40”
Pegs: Salt AM Nylon Pegs

You just built up this bike, what would you say your favorite part of it is?
I think my favorite part of my current bike is the Radio Bikes Nemesis frame. It’s a very solid frame and it has a perfect geo for every type of riding, street, park, even trails. It’s a machine you can take everywhere and shred anything.

What’s the oldest part on your bike? Does it have any sort of sentimental value or anything?
I really don’t know. I got a complete new bike a few months ago so everything is still fresh really.

I know you’re a beast on a bike. How often do you like to build up a new bike? Do you swap things out early or run it until the wheels fall off?
There are some parts I change often like pedals, pegs and grips but everything else stays on the bike till its not readable anymore, which surprisingly isn’t that often.

It seems like the Radio Bikes crew are always working on something new. Do you have any signature parts or anything coming in the future?
Radio as a brand has grown so much in the past 2 years, Dave really kills it! I started working on my first signature product earlier this year, it is going to be a Guard Sprocket which will be super solid and perfect for the Streets, but also designed in a way so that it’s not too expensive which is great especially for younger riders. I’m super thankful for this opportunity and can’t be more stoked to be riding the prototype in a few weeks time. The sprocket will be available around October/November.

I saw you’re testing out a sample of the new Wethepeople Pathfinder bars. How are you liking those so far?
They are feeling great. I’ve always liked the look of 4pc bars and I really like the geo and the specs of the Pathfinder bar. Felix Prangenberg is also one of my best friends, it’s really cool to help him test some of his signature stuff.

Are you pretty particular about the way you have your bike setup? Bars in a certain spot, a specific tire pressure or anything like that?
Haha no, I’m not that talented at working on bikes in any way at all. I ride it even when it’s not perfect so I’m not that picky.

It looks like you have been real busy stacking clips and miles. How was your recent trip to Holland with the Radio Bikes team?
It was so much fun! Nothing but good times with the Radio crew. It was such a fun trip because we were able to ride so many different setups. We rode skateparks, bowls, street and even dirt all in one week, I can’t remember the last time I could do this all on one trip. It was also rad to meet new guys on the team like Brian Fox and hang out with them in The Hague. Rotterdam was so good definitely one of my favorite cities to ride . I’m super stoked on all that clips me and Robin Kachfi got there and I can’t wait for the edit to drop which should be any day now.

Now that summer is in full swing, what is your travel plans looking like? Anywhere in particular you would like to get out to?
I really would like to go back to Barcelona end of the year. I’ll be riding all the major street contests in Europe this Summer and for the rest of the year I’m going to try to travel as much as I can, filming some clips, meet some new people and just having a good time.

I saw you have hit up a few different contests this year already. Are you a big fan of riding in contests or is it more just for fun? Do you have any plans on hitting up a few more this summer?
I like the good vibe at Contests, you always travel to new places and meet so many new people. For me this is what makes contests so special, not the competitive side, but the ability to ride and meet new people in new places. I always try to hit up most of the bigger contests in Germany, Belgium and Holland this Summer and I’ll probably be going to Riga for Simple Summer Session.

You have been busy filming quite a bit lately and popping up in plenty of edits. Are you working on any video projects that you can tell us about? When can we expect to see a fresh video from you?
Yeah there is an edit of our Rotterdam trip with my Radio teammate Robin Kachfi coming which im pretty stoked on . I have a People’s Store edit droppijng pretty soon, and I’m going to be working on a promo for my signature sprocket later this year. I also did a couple of Trips withe the guys over at the Fella Bmx and the video should be out in a few weeks .

What have you been getting into when you aren’t riding these days? Any new hobbies or things keeping you busy?
No other hobbies just work to be honest haha! I’m working as a chef right now and it’s a pretty hard job but also super fun and I don’t have to work so long during the day so I have a lot of time to ride my bike than your average 9-5 job which is sick in the Summer.

How can people keep up with you?
Instagram: @leonbmx
Snapchat: Hoodboy47

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to all my sponsors, my friends and my parents for supporting me riding my bike. Special thanks to my man Dave Paterson for everything he’s done for me over the past few years.

Anything else you want to say?
Thank you Kurt for this interview and the bike check and thanks to my man Aaron Zwaal for the photos .