One of the best things in the world is building up a new bike. There’s just something about having everything all dialed in and running smooth without any problems. The other day, Roy Van Kempen received a package from Federal with a frame and a TON of new parts to build up a fresh new setup. We figured that it was more than a perfect time to get a look at this dialed new unit and find out what else is new with our friend since it’s been a while since we caught up! Let’s out the bike along with what he had to say!
Name: Roy van Kempen
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Sponsors: Federal Bikes, Animal Bikes, Vans, Soul Cycle BMX Shop, Orange Juice
Years riding: 11 years
Frame: Federal Bruno Frame 20.85 light grey
Bars: Federal Drop bars 9” blk
Fork: Federal Liquid forks blk
Stem: Federal Love stem polished/blk
Grips: Federal grips
Headset: Animal headset blk
Pedals: Odyssey JC PC pedals
Cranks: Animal Akimbo cranks blk
Sprocket: Animal M5 sprocket 25t
Chain: Shadow Interlock chain
Seat: Federal Lacey
Front Wheel / Tire: Animal rim, Primo spokes, Animal Javelin hub, Cult Dehart tire
Rear Wheel / Tire: Odyssey 7K rim, Primo spokes, Animal Javelin cassette, Cult Dehart tire
Pegs: Federal plastic pegs
Hub Guards: Front: Eclat, Back: Animal Bikes
Brakes? Vans Sk8-hi Pro
Modifications: Cut down my fork and bars a bit.
Based off the bike it looks like you have a ton of new parts. What all did you get for new items this time around?
Federal gave me a new frame, fork, bars, stem, seat and extra pegs sleeves. I love the look and feel of a new bike so when Federal sends over a new frame I always change the small parts too. Because of Soulcycle BMX shop and Animal Bikes I’m always able to get fresh parts for my new bikes as well.
What’s the oldest part on your bike? Any sentimental value?
Animal Akimbo cranks are definitely the best cranks I’ve ever ridden! I already had these cranks for over 2.5 years.
Last I checked you haven’t joined the freecoaster revolution. Why have you chosen to stick to the cassette?
I will never join the freecoaster revolution, haha. Every time I try my friends bike with a coaster I hit my knee on the stem so bad. Besides that it’s just not my style. You will never see me riding one.
Has you setup really changed much over the past few years or are you pretty consistent with how you like your bike setup?
I always struggle to find what geometry I like best. My first Federal frame was a 21”. I know now that that’s too long for me. After that I rode a 20.75 lacey frame with a 75.5 headtube angle it was perfect but now I wanted to try a longer toptube and a shorter back end. That’s why I ride a 20.85 Bruno frame now. With my new bike I went for 9” bars instead of 8.5” which feels way better already!
Are you one to keep your bike dialed in at all times or will you run shit until it’s dead then swap it out?
I love a clean and dialed bike. It’s pretty logical since I work at Soulcycle BMX shop.
What’s your favorite part of this bike?
Right now my new stem without a doubt! I really think this new color way is too dope, especially with the light grey Bruno frame.
How are things going with Federal these days? Wasn’t the team out in your area stacking clips for the new video?
Man, everything is going really well! I’m still so stoked that I’m part of such an amazing brand/family. And yeah correct, it was refreshing to see crazy good riders on the spots I ride every day. Amsterdam has tons of amazing spots but you won’t find them unless you have an Amsterdam local as your guide. Every time we arrived at a spot the whole team went nuts because they couldn’t believe nothing is been filmed on it so far.
How is your section for the video coming along? Will you have a full part in this one?
Nope, this video will be the same as the Barcelona video from last year. Everyone seriously killed it; we filmed so many clips in just 5 days. It’s going to be tough for Fernando to edit it all together. Seriously can’t wait to see the result!
I’d imagine you have a few filming trips lined up, huh? Where all will you be heading here in the near future?
Next thing on my agenda is an Orange Juice trip in Brussels, Belgium. I rented an apartment for 7 friends for a couple of days so that we can film for another Orange Juice video. After that I might go on another Federal bikes trip but nothing is confirmed yet.
How’s things going with Orange Juice? You guys just dropped your new line a few weeks back, right?
Yes, and again, it is almost completely sold out. We love to design new products and we want to stay exclusive so we will never make the same item twice. We are so stoked on the Federal collab hat, beanie and tee they came out really good! We love to work together with BMX brands so we hope to continue working together with dope brands in the future.
Haven’t you guys been throwing a bunch of jams around the Netherlands lately? Do you have any more coming up?
Yes, Street jams are a perfect way to bring the whole scene together. Also we really care about a good relationship with the shops that sell Orange Juice. With the Orange Juice street jams we always organize them together with the local BMX shop so that it will be a win-win. After the big success of the Amsterdam jam we still got two jams planed for this Summer. Next weekend we organize a Street jam in Brussels, Belgium and the very last jam will be in The Hague, Holland.
How are things going with Animal? Are you working on any projects with them at all?
I ride for Animal Bikes through RocknRoll distro so a lot of communication goes through them. My sister lives in New York so everytime I visit her I always take the train to the Animal warehouse to say hi. No projects with them right now but who knows what happens in the future.
What about Soul Cycle and Vans? Anything new with them you can tell us about or things you’re looking forward to that you can tell us about?
I started working/riding for Soulcycle 6 years ago. I started as an employee who worked in the shop. Now besides working at the store, I also help out with marketing, Social media, Team Manager etc. Soulcycle just dropped their new posters of me doing a ledge ride in Amsterdam, I’m really stoked on how it came out! The new poster comes free with every order at soulcycle.com.
Things with Vans (Holland, Belgium) are still in beginning phase. I’m working on my ‘Welcome to the team’ video which will come out soon.
When can we expect that video to drop?
I’m working really hard on my ‘Welcome to Vans’ video right now. It should be out somewhere next month I would guess.
Outside of riding and work, what’s new? Any new hobbies or things you’re doing to fill that time?
I don’t have much time left, haha. Besides riding and work all my time goes to Orange Juice both the blog and brand. When I do have time left I normally spent that time with my girl and my friends mostly.
How can people keep up with you these days? I know you’re on Instagram, Twitter and all that!
If you are interested in starting your own brand, spots in Amsterdam or riding pics you can follow me!
Instagram: @royvankempen
Twitter: @rvk_bmx
Facebook: Facebook.com/RoyVanKempen
If you want to follow the Orange Juice brand/blog:
Blog: WeAreOrangeJuice.com
Instagram: @orangejuice_
Twitter: @weorangejuice
Facebook: Facebook.com/WeAreOrangeJuice
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Big shout out to Joe and Stu over at Federal Bikes, Nick Benson and Mike Osso at Animal Bikes, Rik and Dominique at Vans, Jeroen and Koen from Soulcycle and my friend Tom (co-owner of Orange Juice). So proud to be part of such amazing brands. Also thanks to all the people/brands/shops that support We Are Orange Juice. Really means a lot!
Anything else you want to say?
Thanks Kurt for this bike check once again!
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