I remember back in the day when I started riding, my brothers friends all had or wanted an STA 500, if you know what that is, then you know of Rick, if you don’t you probably just started riding. Rick is the man behind Standard and has been in the game a while, hes been a big infuence on BMX, especially in the midwest. This interview was a must do.
Name:
Rick Moliterno
Location:
Davenport, Iowa
Sponsors:
None
Years riding?
37
Word on the street is Standard is going to be coming back big soon?
I don’t know about “back” or “big” but we are making huge changes to be better than ever by far. These changes will enable us to better supply riders and shops and therefore promote more so we may appear back and bigger media wise.
You guys are doing all in house, hows that coming along and when can we expect to see it at full force?
It is coming along great. We have already made many improvements over what we were getting from Waterford so I am pretty happy with that. I can pay more attention to detail now with it right here. We should be full force within a month or so. We have already started on our new 125R frames.
Do you have any plans for new frames or anything like that?
Like I mentioned above, there is an all new 125R race frame. We will be restyling all models and creating a few new ones including a new STA and an ultra light freestyle frame and fork for John Rodgers. The new stuff we are working on will blow away anything we have done previously.
Stronger Than All has been out for a little while, how long was that in the works at what did people expect from it?
It was only in the works for a long time because we all slack. I would expect really good riding from a diverse group of styles. Nothing too artsy, just good riding.
Any other big Standard news you care to share?
Everything is currently wrapped up in the in house project. We plan a large expansion of products we offer and improvements all around. Our hands were tied pretty tight for about five years so I am ready to get back to innovation along with quality. I am looking forward to getting out to more events and helping out where I can. We have a couple of real good road trips planned as well.
Rampage closed down a few years ago, I heard you were planning on opening up a new park since the Iowa winters suck?
The Iowa winters sure do suck, especially without Rampage.I do want to open a new and improved Rampage if I have energy left after this project is full speed. I now know we absolutely need an indoor park here for the scene. We not only need it for the winter but to have events, a controlled enviroment, demos, windy days, rainy days, etc.
Wait, why live in Iowa of all places? Do they even have a professional sports team besides Standard?
Iowa has everything a bike rider needs. Pro sports aren’t important to me in deciding on a place to live. We have great spots to ride, a well developed scene with history, a byke company, and some good shops.
What is your typical day like?
I really don’t have a typical day. Each day is seriously different from the one before. With the in house needing so much time and Goodtimes already established, along with riding time, my days are pretty well booked.
Do you have a lot of time to ride?
Not as much as I would like but it is getting better. My neck injury is improving so I am trying to build up some skills agian.
Where are some of your spots you ride since there is snow?
Here inside Standard and at the barn in Iowa City. Sometimes we go to Madison, Wi.
A pretty big outdoor cement park opened up in Davenport about a year ago or so, hows that and is it worth a road trip to ride it?
It is smooth with good variety and is certainly worth a road trip.You could include a few other spots plus Standard is 4 blocks away….always good to see first hand how bikes and parts are made. Goodtimes is a good spot to visit too.
How is your riding now days compared to riding lets say 20 years ago?
Well, I don’t spend 12 hours a day on my bike! 20 years ago I was a paid pro on Haro and riding was all that mattered. Now I don’t get paid, riding is just as important but less of my time us spent on it. In that 20 yeras I have been riding, I started Rampage, Standard, helped start Props, started Goodtimes, and have been an many great road trips.
What is one trick you have never been able to do?
The one I never tried. I figure anyone can do any trick if they honestly try to learn it. Some tricks just don’t go along with a given riders’ style so that can be limiting I guess.
Who are some of the riders you think highly of?
That list would reach into the thousands. I would say every rider that came through or is currently on Standard plus about a thousand others who impress me constantly with innovation, energy, and skill.
What was your first BMX bike?
Home made Schwinn. Leopard banana seat for sure!
What is your current set up?
2004 Bullitt, traditional headset with Ti cups, Sun prototype freecoaster, one brake (rear), two pegs on the right, Profile 170’s, Animal pedals, 28-10.
What is your favorite trip or tour you have ever been on?
They are all good. Every time I am on one I don’t want to go home because it is such a blast. Maybe the best one was the 25 rider UK/ US team trip a couple years ago. It is tough to say. I guess any trip with the UK guys.
What is the hardest part about running a business?
Riding less and worrying about the well being of others.
Outside of work and riding what are you into?
Drag racing has seemed pretty interesting lately. Motorcycles. I am pretty much deep into BMX at the moment so ask me again in 6 months!
Some of your favorite bands?
Too many to list. My answer to this changes as soon as the song changes.
What are some of your favorite websites you check?
I don’t check web sites.
Where are some of your favorite places you have travelled?
England, Colorado, Las Vegas, two lane highways of Iowa, NYC.
Where are some places you would like to go you haven’t been to yet?
Alaska, Austarlia, all over Europe. All over Asia. India.
If you won the lottery what would you do with the money?
Buy a new truck, an Airstream, a Road King, and hit the road with Jessie for a while. We would come back and keep on improving Standard. Build an indoor skatepark. Help clean up some of our neighborhoods in town here. Maybe build a kick ass BMX track.
If you could spend the day with anybody, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Alive: a carefree chill day with Jess.
Dead: maybe Elvis. Just to see how crazy it was.
Who are you going to vote for Obama, Hillary, or somebody else?
Obama as of today.
If Iowa was condemed because of a massive corn virus and you had to move, where would you move and why?
Corn virus? How far reaching would that be? Is this a trick question? If I could live close, Moline, IL. If far, Somewhere in Colorado would seem likely. Somewhere between Fort Collins and Denver.
After all the years of riding and everything, what hurts the most?
Physically, my neck.
What is your lady situation?
Long term girlfriend. Completely comitted.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Just keep living healthy and improving.
If you and Chuck Norris got in a fight who would win?
I would of course. He can’t even ride a spine.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza!
What is with Standard and fully automatic weapons?
Nothing. That comes from various art types who seem to think they go with the company.
What is the coolest thing you have shot?
It is pretty fun shooting anything not living.
What kind of advice do you have for kids just getting into BMX?
Have fun riding. Do your own thing. Have your own style. Go everywhere. Try everything.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Currently, Jessie, Ryan, Southwick, Roger, the team, everyone that helped get SBC rolling on the business side, all riders that are pushing the riding envelope.
Past, Kurt, TeddEx, C-Dub, JV, all former team riders. Plus many, many others. Nobody can do it alone.
The Lex Alamannorum is preserved in some 50 manuscripts dating to xmeets between the 8th and 12th centuries.
