Ronnie Bonner Archives

Unclicked Podcast – Ronnie Bonner

January 7, 2025

Ronnie Bonner sat down for an interview on the Unclicked Podcast!

The latest round of the Unclicked Podcast has arrived. This time around they have the one and only Ronnie Bonner on the show. Ronnie has so much going on in the BMX industry, and so much history as well. This covers a ton of ground over 3 and a half hours of time, so get on that play button and enjoy!

“Ron Bonner is in the building! Well, Kind of. Ronnie is joining us via Zoom from his home office in FLA. If you are not familiar, Ronnie is the man behind Sparky’s, which houses brands like Shadow, and Subrosa. He also started UGP in 1986, one of the first multi-sport apparel companies, and has over 30 years in the BMX industry making things happen. In this episode of the Unclicked podcast, We discuss the recent Sparky’s, and Source BMX merger, product innovation, the current state of the BMX industry, and Ronnie’s recent cancer diagnosis. Hit play and get to know Ronnie…

Thanks to Oskar Blues, and Source BMX, for supporting the Unclicked Podcast!
https://oskarblues.com / https://www.sourcebmx.com/

Hosts:
Ryan Fudger: / fyanrudger
Denis Enarson: / dennisenarson

Guest:
Ronnie Bonner: / ronniebonner

0:00 – Ronnie Bonner
11:00 – Health Update
23:00 – Legacy of Brands
1:43:00 – Product innovation
2:03:00 – Subrosa / Shadow
2:28:00 – Business
2:42:00 – Source Merger
3:49:00 – Relationships” – Our BMX

Moore BMX Podcast – Ronnie Bonner

February 19, 2023

Ronnie Bonner sits down for an interview on the Moore BMX Podcast.

There’s been a few double up podcasts lately, and that isn’t a bad thing. Ronnie Bonner recently did the Kanode Knows Podcast, and now he’s back for another round on the Moore BMX Podcast with Brant Moore. The first focused more on Ronnie’s past and how all of his businesses got started, and this one is more focused on all the events Ronnie has done, and what it takes to throw a good contest or jam, along with plenty of other topics over the course of an hour and 45 minutes. Ronnie has a ton of great stories and insights, making for a super good listen. Hit play and check it out!

“Ronnie Bonner is a legend in the BMX world. He started the also legendary company UGP and hosted Roots Jam. Today he is the owner of Shadow, Subrosa, Shadow Riding gear, Rant, Juvee Hall, And Sparky’s. Ronnie has had a legendary career in BMX and isn’t done yet! Let’s learn more” – Brant Moore

Kanode Knows – Ronnie Bonner

January 16, 2023

Ronnie Bonner sits down for an interview on the Kanode Knows podcast!

There’s a lot of really good people in BMX with interesting stories, and Ronnie Bonner is one of the best guys out there with such a wild history that has helped grow BMX so much. Bobby Kanode released a new episode of Kanode Knows where he sits down with Ronnie for a nearly 3 hour conversation getting his whole story and what he has on his plate right now. There’s plenty of awesome stories packed into this one, and if you’re interested in business in BMX, this is definitely one you’ll want to listen to from start to finish!

“Ronnie Bonner founded UGP, Sparky’s Distribution, The Shadow Conspiracy, Subrosa, Rant, and much more. He’s an OG in the BMX world and if you’re in the industry you’re definitely familiar with him. I had the privilege of working for Subrosa for a couple of years under Ronnie and it was so dope to catch up and chat for nearly 3 hours.” – Bobby Kanode

Owning A BMX Company In 2022 With Robbie Morales and Ronnie Bonner

May 2, 2022

Here’s an interesting video that Brant Moore put together during his time down in Florida for Swampfest a few weeks back. He caught up with Ronnie Bonner (Owner of The Shadow Conspiracy, Subrosa, Sparky’s, Rant) and Robbie Morales (Cult) to talk a little bit about what it’s like owning a BMX company in 2022 with this wild ride that has been going on thanks to COVID disrupting the supply chain. It’s interesting to get the take of what’s different now and how they’re working on navigating it, along with plenty of other insights. Hit play and take a look!

“As soon as I saw Robbie Morales and Ronnie Bonner hanging out at Swampfest, I knew I had to ask them the Asking BMX Icons questions. During that I realized this could be an awesome opportunity to talk to guys who have worked at and own some of the biggest and most legendary brands in all of BMX. What better topic to talk about that what it’s like to be the owner of a BMX company in 2022. Ronnie and Robbie were both awesome and open and I’m happy to make this my last interview video from Swampfest 2022! Until next year!!” – Brant Moore

Ronnie Bonner “The BMX In Our Blood” Podcast

February 22, 2018

The Shadow Consspiracy and Subrosa’s Ronnie Bonner sits down with Joe Dohrety for “The BMX In Our Blood” Podcast…

During the FloriDeah Swampfest, Joe Dohrety from “The BMX In Our Blood” Podcast caught up with The Shadow Conspiracy, Subrosa Brand, Sparky’s Distribution owner Ronnie Bonner to talk about everything from how he got his start in BMX, starting up UGP, then going on to start Shadow, Subrosa and a few other brands, the way BMX has evolved and more! This is two and a half hours long, so A LOT of ground is covered! Hit play, kick back and enjoy! It kicks a lot of ass.

History of The Shadow Conspiracy’s Half-Link Chain

December 26, 2016

Do you know the history of the Half-Link BMX Chain? The first half-link chain was the Interlock chain from The Shadow Conspiracy thanks to Byron Anderson and Ronnie Bonner. Here’s a video where Ronnie sits down to talk about how the half-link came to be, the challenges it had to get past and more. If you’re a product nerd, you’re going to be into this one for sure!

“The Shadow Conspiracy broke new ground when they released the first half link chain back in 2004, but it was no easy feat. From countless trips to Asia to meet with factory owners, to having to physically re-tool the pre-existing machines in order for them to produce these weird new half link style chains… it was a long road for Shadow. They truly innovated a product that changed the face of chains forever, even for bicycling inductors outside of BMX! This is the story of how the Shadow Half Link Chain came to be, told be the none other than the company’s founder/owner, Ron Bonner.” – Ride BMX

Sparky’s France Presentation

June 26, 2014

Here’s a rad video where Sparky’s Distribution’s (along with The Shadow Conspiracy and Subrosa) Ronnie Bonner sits down and talks about why they decided to expand Sparky’s and open a second location in France!

“Here is the Sparkys France details.. We are based at Lyon France. French distro for Shadow, Subrosa, Mutiny, Rant, Banned and Bone Deth. More infos at www.sparkysdistro.fr . Filmed and edited by Mayol, Greenfilms” – Sparky’s France

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Introducing Sparky’s France

April 29, 2014

Yesterday we saw some buzz about exciting news from the guys at Sparky’s Distribution, home of The Shadow Conspiracy and Subrosa along with the U.S distributor of Mutiny Bikes, Bone Deth and more, and today they have announced that they will be opening a second location in FRANCE. Things in France have definitely heated up a lot for BMX these past few years and it’s clear that this is going to be a great move to help grow the scene even more. Above is a video featuring their French connect, Joris Coulomb to bring the news and below is the official word from Ronnie Bonner. Definitely stoked on this one.

sparkys-france