BMX UNION

The latest BMX Videos, Products and News!

  • BMX Videos & News
  • BMX Color App
  • Submissions
  • Home
  • Spoke Calculator
  • Products
    • BMX Frames
    • BMX Bars
    • BMX Fork
    • BMX Stem
    • BMX Grips
    • BMX Headset
    • BMX Cranks
    • BMX Pedals
    • BMX Sprocket
    • BMX Chain
    • BMX Bottom Bracket
    • BMX Seat
    • BMX Seat Post
    • BMX Hubs
    • BMX Rims
    • BMX Tires
    • BMX Pegs
    • BMX Hub Guard
  • Featured
    • Interviews
    • Bike Check
    • BMX Videos
    • Photogalleries
    • BMX Reviews
    • On the Horizon
    • Through The Lens

A Tour Inside Laird Frame

February 12, 2022

Here’s a really cool video Scotty Cranmer dropped from a trip he took to Mike Laird‘s shop to get a tour and learn all about Laird Frame and how his operation of building custom BMX frames all works. There aren’t too many guys doing custom BMX frames in the world, so it’s really cool seeing how this all goes. Mike also shares a ton of great information about what it takes to weld a titanium frame and what it actually takes to get it done right. Even Matty Cranmer gets some lessons in welding. Take a look!

“We got a tour of one of the most well known BMX frame maker’s shop and it was awesome! Mike Laird who is a former professional BMX rider has been building BMX frames since 2013 and has sent over 700 frames out to happy customers around the world! In this video he welds a titanium BMX frame and also gives Matty Cranmer some good advice on welding!

Order Your Own Custom BMX Frame Here! http://www.lairdframe.com” – Scotty Cranmer

Sneak Peek: Titanium Fork From Mike Laird

April 10, 2018

Mike Laird is starting to prototype test some new Titanium forks…

So I’m prototyping a handful of titanium lairdforks. The regular Ti-lairdfork weighs 1lb. 4ozs. and the front brake version weighs 1lb. 5ozs. The off-set will be 30mm. The legs are 1.125” in diameter and .065” wall thickness. After testing the Ti-lairdfork will retail for $450 regular and $500 for the front brake version. I will NOT be offering custom fork off-sets, there just isn’t enough time in my day to make custom forks and frames. And I will NOT be offering chromoly forks, there are plenty of chromoly forks already on the market. I’m not interested in producing just another average chromoly fork. I will say if there is interest in a zero off-set flatland Ti-lairdfork, that could possibly become a reality. • www.lairdframe.com • www.lairdframe.store • #lairdframe #lairdfork #eccmetal #bmx #furickcup #spwceramicseries #millerwelds #weldporn #framebuilding #madeinusa #lairdframedotcom #mirraforever #titanium ? @willstricklinphotography

A post shared by Mike Laird (@mike_laird) on Apr 9, 2018 at 6:21pm PDT

Here’s some interesting news for the riders out there that are looking to lighten things up on the front end and don’t mind paying a little extra for it. Mike Laird has been doing Titanium frames since 2016 that will set you back about $2,000, and based off his Instagram he’s done a few of them for customers. Now, it looks like he’s playing around with doing a Titanium fork that you can see in his Instagram post above. It looks like they will be available in regular and another version with front brake mounts, they weigh in at just a little over 1 pound and will cost $450 – $500. These will only come with a 30mm offset and he won’t be doing custom dimensions, so you’ll have to settle if you wanted something a little steeper or mellower.

There isn’t an option to buy these just yet on the Laird Frame website, but we would imagine it won’t be long before he starts making them available.

What do you think about a Titanium fork? Would you run it if you had the cash to spend on it? Anyone thinking about buying one? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below!



Want To Win A Custom Laird Frame?

June 17, 2017

Have you ever wanted a custom built BMX frame with your exact specs and geometry, but couldn’t afford the higher price tag? Well, you’re in luck because Dustin Grice just hit us up with news that he’s giving away a Laird Frame to one lucky subscriber / commenter on his Youtube Channel. Below is the video and the details on what you need to do to win your own custom frame ($450 value)… It’s free, it’s easy… Why not give it a shot? Details below!

“Join Dustin Grice back in Scotland at Unit 23 Skatepark as he celebrates our most popular video on YouTube by giving away a brand new custom built signature BMX frame designed by YOU. Here is How to Enter the Contest:

1. Subscribe to Dustin Grice’s YouTube Channel via this link: SUBSCRIBE HERE
2. Click Like on this Video
3. Leave a Comment with the frame color you would choose if you win
4. OPTIONAL ENTRY BOOST: If you want to share this video, your entry will be MULTIPLIED by 5 TIMES. You just need to tag @DUSTINGRICE or hashtag #DUSTINGRICE so that he sees your share…

*Frame will be built via the normal order form via Laird Frame [dot] com. All design options, color, etc must be within the standard options that Laird Frame provides. Titanium can not be used as tubing. Contest will run for 2 weeks, at that point Dustin will randomly choose the winner and begin the winner’s custom frame design process. Please allow 3-6 months for delivery, Dustin waited nearly 6 months for his from start of his design to the final build & delivery. You must build your own bike once receiving your new custom built frame..”

The Rise Of 22″ Bikes

April 18, 2017

There’s a been an increasing number of 22″ Bikes popping up…

Faction Amero 22" Bikes BMX

Faction Amero 22″ BMX Bike

A few years ago when we personally first started hearing about 22″ Bikes we didn’t quite know what to think or if it would ever actually take off. The guys at Faction BMX were the first to start trying out this unique size that fit right between 20″ and 24″ bikes way back in 2002. It was a very small niche in the BMX industry that was geared toward riders that wanted something a little bigger than a traditional BMX bike, but didn’t want to go for an all out cruiser bike. It wasn’t a huge change, just slightly bigger wheels, fork and frames, really. This story of the rise of 22″ bikes originally started 15 years ago.

If you didn’t already know, there tends to be a bit of resistance to “new” things in BMX. Just like the first set of 8″, 9″ and 10″ rise BMX bars, there were a lot of people that were pretty hard stance. Either you like it and you are down to try it out, or you have zero interest at all and don’t see the point. Why change things if it already works the way it is, right? I still have friends that absolutely refuse to get bigger bars and I cannot for the life of me understand why they’re so against it. But, that’s why frames and parts come in so many different sizes; everyone has their own preference for a size that feels right.

In reality, that’s probably one of the hardest parts about innovation in BMX. You could have an amazing idea that works, but unless you convince enough people to try it, understand it and see the benefits, it will likely fail. I mean, how many times have we seen bash guards on the bottom bracket try and fail? The idea is great and it does work, but not enough people are into it to really see it become a “normal” part of BMX bikes. So, the idea goes back on the shelf and collects dust until somebody else decides to take a crack at it. Another example would be when Odyssey released their Twisted PC pedals. They were available for a few years before they actually started selling a notable amount of these plastic pedals compared to their metal options. Now the Twisted PC pedals are undoubtedly one of Odyssey’s most popular products and plastic pedals are more commonly found on a BMX bike than metal, but there was definitely a period of time where there was a weird rivalry between the two. The same could be said with plastic pegs… That was a weird time, too. Now it’s just a regular option for riders.

S&M Bikes 22" Bike Holmes Kit

S&M Bikes 22" Bike Holmes Prototype
A prototype build and the S&M 22″ Holmes kit from 2012

Just like the Twisted PC pedals, the 22″ Bike wasn’t exactly something that gained traction over night. After the Faction guys started working on 22″ designs and ultimately went on to release a frame, fork, tires and rims, it was close to 10 years before S&M Bikes decided to see what all the hype was about. In 2012 S&M designed a frame and fork to test out, which lead to the 22″ Holmes Kit that offered rims and tires being made under their sub-brand Revenge. The options for 22″ frames, forks, rims and tires have have remained a part of their line up ever since. Even after S&M and Revenge also threw their hat in the 22″ ring back in 2012, we didn’t see a big surge in the 22″ BMX bike category. I will admit having a notable brand like S&M getting into it did probably help make it a little more appealing and a little more known. But it still wasn’t something that really got much attention.

Even though S&M and Faction were offering kits to build your own 22″ bike, it didn’t seem like we were seeing a ton of riders rushing to pick up a kit to try out the larger size. A kit from Faction goes for around $750 and a frame from S&M is in the $349.99 – $419.99 range, so it’s hard to spend that kind of money just to see if you’re into the bigger size.

Indust BMX 22" Bikes Frame

UPDATE: Apparently we have been out of the loop! There’s another company based out of Austin, Texas called Indust that have been making 22″ frames, parts and some custom build bikes since around 2011 that we had never heard about until now. Shout out to Max Krauss for tipping us off. Crazy how we missed that! Technically these guys were doing 22″ before S&M.

S&M ATF 22" Bike Frame BMX
2017 S&M 22″ ATF Frame

After another few years had passed with a few 22″ options but nothing really new being added, we saw something starting to happen in 2016. We started seeing some serious interest being put into these bigger bikes. The guys at FBM started offering a 22″ Steadfast Frame to give riders another option that could also be customized to your preference. Shortly after that it was announced that United Bike Co. were releasing the first 22″ complete, the 2017 KF22 Complete Bike and Fit Bike Co. were working on the Brian Foster signature 22″ complete. Some of you might be able to connect the dots with S&M, Fit, Revenge and United since all four are pretty closely related. S&M, Fit and Revenge are owned by Chris Moeller and The Building Distribution, which also distributes United Bike Co. in the United States. So now, we now have Faction, S&M, Revenge, Indust, Fit Bike Co., FBM and United offering 22″ products. Still, a fairly small circle of brands when looking at the overall number of brands in BMX.

Wethepeople BMX 22" Bikes tire
Sneak peek QBMX posted of a 22″ tire that Wethepeople are working on…

Things have started happening and it would appear that the wheels on the 22″ bikes are really starting to turn (pun intended) and the guys at Faction weren’t so crazy after all. If you have picked up a 22″ bike or you have been interested, it looks like 2017 might just be the year to jump on the train, because your options are about to grow. In the past few months we have seen or heard of a few other brands that are joining this “revolution” of sorts. We have spotted a prototype 22″ tire from Wethepeople, which leads us to believe they will be offering a complete bike or aftermarket frame and parts for 22″ bikes. We haven’t heard exact details yet, but we could see Wethepeople or their sub-brand Salt Plus having 22″ parts options. The guys at Deluxe BMX are working on 22″ frames now that they’re building frames in-house in Pennsylvania, so there’s another American made option.

Update: After we posted this Wethepeople confirmed that they will have a mid-range complete 22″ bike, along with aftermarket frame, fork, rims, tires and complete wheel sets coming soon. Wethepeople will be offering a frame and fork kit as well. Also, Salt will also be offering 22″ wheelsets at a more affordable price point.

FBM BMX 22" bikes Steadfast Frame

FBM’s 22″ Steadfast frame”

Brian Foster 22" Bikes Fit Bike Co.

2017 Brian Foster Signature 22″ Complete Bike

United Bike Co 2017 KF22 BMX Bike 22" Bikes

United’s KF22 Complete Bike

Pair of 22s got together this week! @michaelpotoczny battleship grey and @urrydayimshovelin custom. #whitegirlcoffee #cantlooseon22s #deluxebmx

A post shared by Deluxe BMX (@deluxebmx) on Apr 7, 2017 at 12:01pm PDT

We also have 100% confirmation from Stolen Bikes that they are going to be offering a full line up of parts between Stolen and Fiction. Both brands will be offering a Stolen “Spade Pro” 22″ Frame, along with a Spade Complete Bike and the Fiction Troop Tire will come in a 22 x 2.30″ size. Those will all be dropping in June. Stolen also have 22″ wheelsets and rims that are already shipping to distributors worldwide as we write this. You can expect to see those popping up soon.

Stolen BMX 22" Bike Wheels Rampage

Stolen Rampage 22″ Wheels

Let’s go over this one more time. Faction, S&M Bikes, Fit Bike Co., Revenge, United Bike Co., Indust, FBM, Deluxe, Wethepeople, Stolen and Fiction are all either offering or will be offering 22″ bikes, frames or parts. That’s just what we’re aware of. If there’s one thing we know, it’s once something starts getting popular, it won’t take look for the rest of the industry to get in on the mix. That’s not a bad thing, though. It doesn’t hurt to have options, right? Competition leads to innovation and had S&M not decided to give Faction a little competition back in 2012, we might not be seeing the growth we are seeing in 2017 for 22″ bikes. We would imagine that list will grow in the coming year.

Update: Thanks to the guys at 22-Inch BMX, we were filled in on a few other options for 22″ bikes that we were unaware one. DK Bicycles have their 22″ Vega complete and Canadian brand Encore Bikes have their 22″ Anthem complete as well. Two bikes we were unaware of. Also, Laird Frames, Dave Harrison, Standard Bykes and Stout Bikes all offer 22″ custom frames. It turns out that there is A LOT more 22″ bikes popping up than we actually thought. We have also been tipped off that it sounds like Subrosa will be offering a 22″ complete bike in their 2018 range of bikes later this year. That means there are at least 17 potential options for 22″ bikes, frames or parts in 2017? Talk about an explosion of these bikes becoming available. Once again, big thanks to 22-Inch BMX for the heads up!

It’s kind of crazy to think that it took 15 years before these bikes really became a force in BMX. We give Faction big props for sticking it out and proving to all of us that there is a place for the 22″ bikes in this sport.

What do you think? Have you tried out a 22″ bike? How do you like it? Haven’t tried one? What do you think about this? Could you see yourself trying one? Let us know in the comments below!



A $2,000 Titanium Frame By Laird Frame

November 11, 2016

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-head-tube

It’s not every day that you see the word “Titanium” in BMX, especially when it comes to BMX frames. Years ago, Eastern Bikes offered a Titanium Grim Reaper frame that retailed for over $1,000 and Terrible One dabbled with a Titanium Barcode frame before that. There was also a brand called RNC that made Titanium cranks, pegs, bars and more that eventually went out of business as the price of this type of metal skyrocketed. You can find Titanium spokes and bolts these days, but that’s about it for what is available. The price of Titanium has come down a little bit in recent years, but it’s still spendy! Even though it’s pricey, it turns out there has been some demand for another BMX frame made from the material because it looks like there are two options available. The crew at Eastern were showing off a Titanium frame that they are doing one off custom builds of at Interbike and it looks like Mike Laird over at Laird Frame has decided to give it a go, too. If you follow Mike on Instagram you probably have been checking out the photos he has been posting giving you the look at the progress of his first go at playing around with welding on Titanium. It looks like he has it dialed in and has decided to add Titanium frames to his custom frame options.

Like we mentioned above, the cost of Titanium has come down in recent years and pricing varies quite a bit. In short, it’s still a spendy material that is tricky to work with. But, some times people have a little more money to work with and this is why this frame exists.

As you might have noticed by the title, it looks like you can have a custom Titanium frame made by Laird frame starting at $1,965.00 with your choice of geometry, brakeless or welded on brakes and color. It sounds like Mike will be offering free powder coating if you for some reason want to cover up that clean Titanium look. Add in shipping and you’ll be over that $2,000 mark.

Like we mentioned above, each frame can be customized and it looks like he’s also doing 16″, 18″, 22″, 24″ and 26″ frames for those of you looking for something other than your standard 20″ version. Above and below you can find photos of the first two frames Mike has made from Titanium and it looks like the first one weighed in at 2lb. 14oz., which is quite a bit lighter than 4130 chromoly frames that are hovering around the 5 lb. mark these days.

If you are into this, you can take a look at ordering a frame on the Laird Frame website

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-side

A look at one of the first Laird Frame Titanium frames.

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-head-tube-tabs

You can get welded gyro tabs. Unfortunately you cannot do removable brake mounts and guides on these frames.

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-jig

This is the jig setup Mike’s using to weld these frames together.

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-seat-stay

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-seat-stay-2

Unlike the other Laird Frames, you can’t do a custom seat stay bridge since these bridges have to be cut using water and laser jets that another company is doing prior to receiving the tubing.

laird-frame-titanium-bmx-frame-tubing

Some of the tubing laid out before it gets put together.

The Merged – Custom Frames with Mike Laird and Laird Frames

February 25, 2015

mike-laird-bmx-frames

The guys over at The Merged just dropped an interview with Mike Laird talking about custom frame building and what sets his operation apart from the other options available. Hit this LINK to give it a read!

[Read more…]



Home
Daily BMX Videos & News
BMX Color App
BMX Spoke Calculator
Submissions
Advertise
What Is BMX? What Does It Mean?
What Does A Warranty Cover?
BMX Frame Geometry Guide
BMX Handlebar Geometry Guide
BMX Tool Guide
BMX Multi-Tool Guide
BMX Frame and Parts Guide
5 Keys To Keeping Your BMX Bike Dialed
Rad - Full Movie
Privacy Policy
Affiliate Disclosure
Join Our Email List
Affiliates & Supporters
Vans
Source BMX
Etnies
Dan's Comp
Life Brand
35th Anniversary RAD Posters
Note: This site contains affiliate links and we could receive a small commission that supports this site if you were to make a purchase on their websites using our links for no extra charge to you.

Copyright © 2023 · BMX UNION - All Rights Are Reserved.

pixel