It’s been a bit of a whirlwind past year for Dan Kruk. In that time he’s been bumped up to the Wethepeople and Madera, had his first batch of signature products like the Konfetti Battleship frame colorway and Madera Party Paint Colorway, made the official move out to California, traveling a bunch and staying super busy stacking clips. Now that his signature colorway for the Battleship frame is available, we figured it was a good time to catch up with Dan and get a look at his current setup and talk a little bit about the bike, a new signature part he has in the works and more. Let’s get into it!
Current Location: Long Beach, California
Sponsors: Dan’s Comp, Wethepeople, Madera, MPEG, Cement Face, 4Seasons
Frame: Wtp Battleship in Konfetti
Fork: Wtp Switch
Bars: Wtp Buck 25.4mm
Grips: Wtp Helix XL
Stem: Wtp Hydra 25.4mm
Headset: Wtp Compact
Cranks: Profile Column 22mm 165mm
Pedals: Eclat AK
Sprocket: Madera Signet 25t in Party Paint
Chain: Shadow Supreme
Seat / Seat Post: Madera Crusier and Wtp Pivotal Post
Front Wheel: Madera Pilot hub / Eclat Polar rim
Front Tire: Wtp Stickin’ 2.4
Rear Wheel: Profile Z-Coaster, 9t, Eclat Polar rim
Rear Tire: Wtp Stickin’
Pegs: Wtp Dill Pickle 4.5″
Hub Guards: Madera C4 plastic
Modifications: Bars cut down a little on both sides
What’s the newest part on your bike?
Newest part is probably some spokes!
What’s the oldest? Does it have any sentimental value?
Oldest part is probably the peg cores and they just work good so I keep using them!
You’re running your signature Battleship frame colorway that Wethepeople just released. What are some of your favorite parts about the frame?
Well, I really like the color first of all, and I love how responsive the geometry is. It’s pretty much what I would choose if I had my own signature frame so I was very fortunate to have my colorway on it!
Actually, how crazy is it for you to have your name on the bike you’re riding?
I actually always forget I have signature anything, I just still do the same stuff I’ve been doing since I was 12 and really don’t think about the signature aspect of it. It is pretty cool to make my bike look how I want it, pretty crazy feeling.
What do you usually change out the most on your bike?
I think I go through grips the most because I always end up ripping them right away some how!
Are you the kind of rider that likes working on your bike, or do you try to avoid it as much as possible?
I really like to make sure my bike is pretty dialed, it works the best that way. Any weird noises or movements feel bad to me, so I just make sure everything is tight and greased up.
How often do you get the chance to build up a new bike?
I try to build a new bike twice a year, usually just to switch up the color scheme and having a fresh whip is never a bad thing
Do you like the swap out parts on a regular schedule or do you kind of run things until they’re dead?
Usually run them till they are dead, I feel bad asking for new stuff if I don’t really need it.
We’ve noticed that you have fully embraced the Chicago lifestyle. What are some of the benefits to running the bars forward like that for you?
There always has to be a bar question haha. It honestly makes spinning and whip tricks way easier. Just the positions your bike can get in are way crazier and really unlocks all kinds of stuff.
Are you pretty particular about the way you have your bike setup or do you like to change things up to see how it feels?
I pretty much keep my bike the same always, my bars definitely have to be in the right spot though otherwise my bike feels so bad
We actually heard a little something about a pair of signature bars that you’re working on with Wethepeople. Can you tell us a little bit about those and when people can expect to see some prototypes?
Yes! I am getting my first signature product in the form of bars! Some quick specs are 9.25 tall, 11 back and 2.666 upsweep. They are named the Stallis bars because that is a nickname of the city I grew up in, West Allis, Wisconsin. I should be receiving my first protoypes in the next few weeks and I can’t wait to try them out!
Will the bars be designed to run Chicago or is that optional?
Haha, Chicago position and even more forward are the only angles!
So you have your signature frame colorway and signature hub colorway from Madera, the new bars¦ Any other signature products you’re able to let us in on?
As of right now those are the only things I have on my plate, I am very thankful for everything I have at the moment. It’s still crazy to me that I have anything!
We caught up with you not too long ago, but we might as well ask! Any news you can tell us about as far as trips, video projects or anything with the sponsors you can tell us about?
Heading to Fresno, CA in a few weeks for a quick WTP trip, then hopefully Ecuador in May. My new Dan’s Comp edit should be dropping any day now. Just keep your eyes peeled for more!
How can people keep up with you these days?
Follow me on Instagram @dankrukbmx
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to all my sponsors, friends and family for all the support. Shout out to Kurt for the interview!
Anything else you want to say?
Anyone have a 6mm I think my bars slipped.
