Taj Mihelich Archives – Page 3 of 5

Rest In Peace, Paul Buchanan

May 17, 2018

BMX has lost another legend… Rest In Peace, Paul Buchanan…

Cover Photo: Ed Doherty / DIG

I wrote a tribute for Paul over @digbmx. What I didn’t say in that is that I’m no stranger to the grips of depression and battle with it often. If anyone out there is in the same boat, I’m always here to talk, offer bad jokes and probably send an offensive text photo. Rip #paulbuchanan
A post shared by Brian Tunney (@briantunney) on May 17, 2018 at 2:10pm PDT

It’s always a bummer to hear about a rider passing away, especially one as influential and legendary as Paul Buchanan. Today we caught wind that Paul had passed away earlier this week. It’s not quite clear exactly what happened, but Brian Tunney‘s Instagram post offers some insight. You can check out his full write up on the DIG website — In Memory: Paul Buchanan.

Although we haven’t seen anything from Paul for quite some time, he was one of those riders who people still talked about frequently and his riding influenced a lot of riders and pushed BMX into new directions during his time riding for different brands, including Terrible One. Below you can find an old Prop’s bio with Joe Rich that has a Terrible One commercial featuring Paul that still to this day is downright amazing. We’ve embedded it to start at about the 9:20 mark where the commercial starts. You can also find the Terrible One “You Get What You Get” video that features riding from Paul at the bottom. After the Props commercial, we’ve embedded Taj Mihelich‘s Instagram post with some words about Paul…

Rest In Peace, Paul. You left your mark on BMX and will never be forgotten.

We lost a great one. Paul Buchanan was one of the first riders T1 sponsored. To me his riding was genius. His creativity, technical ability and all around burliness made him something really special. We (Joe and I at T1) wanted to support him. We knew he was never going to be a big contest rider (though he did ride X-games), he seemed to be happiest riding late at night, often alone, making up his own stuff without the influence of anyone else. And he did make up a lot of stuff. He was a huge influence on riders. He was quiet about it, probably no one filmed or shot photos but he brought new things to BMX all the time. – I’m strangely stuck on this memory I have of him standing out on the T1 ramp all alone with my dog Roscoe. He used to spend time back there with the dog and teach him weird tricks. He would never speak out loud while doing it. He’d just point and Roscoe would figure out what he wanted. He taught Roscoe to run up the big vert wall extension on the T1 ramp to retrieve things. That vert wall was amazingly high! That’s the image I have… Roscoe grabbing some ball off the top of that wall while Paul stands calmly at the bottom of the ramp pointing. – I found this bio I wrote about him back in 2001: “Paul seems really disjointed from a lot of the riding scene to me, but I think that’s a great thing. He is always testing and trying new things and I think that type of creativity is so often lost on a lot of today’s pro riders. Keeping his distance is a good way for him to maintain his own originality and his own direction. He’s able to take riding to new places that no one has ever thought of and that’s invaluable to the BMX world. In any event, I don’t think Paul is aware of any of that. I don’t think he has any idea how influential he is. The boundaries he has pushed and new directions he opens up have trickled down via the few people who spend time riding with him, to the rest of BMX. There are lot of trends and tricks in riding right now that start back with Paul, but I’d be willing to bet that not even he realizes it." Vid from @t1stagram and @stew1201. Not sure about the riding photo… @t1ers or @sandy_carson i think. From my old t1 files.
A post shared by Taj Mihelich (@tajlucas) on May 17, 2018 at 12:30pm PDT

Saddened to hear of one of the greats of bmx paul buchanan has gone, so elusive, with barely a photo or a video clip seen, and yet every time something did appear it was a total treat and memorable something perhaps today’s insta clip generation doesn’t get… a massive influence on many, actions speak louder than words perhaps. Section from @seventiesdistro from love to hate 2001, #terribleone t/shirt bought by me while in austin 2001 #rippaulbuchanan #bmx
A post shared by Gav Cope (@modebmx) on May 17, 2018 at 2:06pm PDT

10 BMX Tricks You Probably Shouldn’t Do by Taj Mihelich

February 28, 2018

Taj Mihelich coming through with some advice for everyone out there. Here’s 10 BMX Tricks You Probably Shouldn’t Do…

10 BMX tricks you probably shouldn't do… but rules are made to be broken! #bmx
A post shared by Taj Mihelich (@tajlucas) on Feb 28, 2018 at 9:20am PST

If for some reason it isn’t letting you slide through all 10 posts, view it on Instagram right here!

Above is some artwork Taj Mihelich put together and dropped on Instagram earlier today. Scrolling through and catching this was definitely a highlight of the day considering this had us cracking up pretty good. The slides cover 10 BMX Tricks You Probably Shouldn’t do like the Thru The Handlebar Bar Hop, Lake Jumping with Cement Blocks, Naked Bow Legged Table Tops, Barspins with Switchblade Bar Ends and more. Take a look since this advice might just save your life someday!

Also, if you’re liking this, you should give Taj a follow on Instagram. He’s always posting up some great artwork!

Update: It looks like Taj built off the 10 BMX Tricks You Probably Shouldn’t Do, and did a 10 Skateboarding Tricks You Probably Shouldn’t Do!

10 skateboarding tricks you probably shouldn't do… but, rules are made to be broken! By request for @don_brown #skateboarding
A post shared by Taj Mihelich (@tajlucas) on Mar 2, 2018 at 7:55am PST

Odyssey BMX – “Electronical” Full Video

February 13, 2018

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the “Electronical” DVD, Odyssey have given it a re-up for your viewing pleasure! Like they say, time flies when you’re having fun! Odyssey released their “Electronical” DVD 10 years ago today and even after all these years it’s a complete banger! Hit play to check out this video featuring Jim Cielencki, Jimmy Levan, Matt Beringer, Aaron Ross, Taj Mihelich, Chase Hawk, KC Badger, Adam Banton, Danny Hickerson, Mike Aitken, Gary Young and many more (Talk about a completely legendary line up of riders) going to work on street spots, skateparks, trails and more! One fun fact about this video that always blows our minds is that this was the first full 1080P DVD that came out. Watching it for the first time made everyone’s minds melt since it was some of the highest quality BMX footage many had seen. Even though this version isn’t as high definition as the original DVD, it’s amazing.. Will Stroud did an amazing job on the filming and editing for this one!

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of the Electronical video premiere. Time flies! We have re-upped the video in case you have never seen it.

Taj Mihelich – Life After Pro

May 1, 2017

Here’s one we’ve been waiting for since we heard the project was in the works! Here is the story of Taj Mihelich and what life is like after being a professional rider. There’s not much that hasn’t already been said about Taj over the years, but his undeniable impact on the BMX industry from being a professional rider to being co-owner of one of BMX’s most respected brands,Terrible One, to becoming an artist and starting Fairdale. This covers everything from how he got into BMX, his Pro career, starting his brands, his back injury that ended his career and more. Taj might be living in northern Michigan and living a more low key life, but his impact is still very much a part of BMX today. Take a look! Amazing story and excellent riding!

“One of the most influential riders in the history of BMX, Taj Mihelich took a less is more, passionate approach to everything he did. After a chronic back injury forced Taj to put down the BMX bike, he’s found a new direction…here’s the story of the legendary Taj Mihelich and his Life After Pro.

Filmed/edited by Chris Rye.” – Ride BMX

Taj Mihelich – “Life After Pro” Teaser

April 26, 2017

We just posted up news about Kris Bennett getting a TV show about flipping houses, and then this trailer for a new video featuring Taj Mihelich talking life after being a Professional rider. Talk about a weird coincidence. Either way, this video that’s being produced by Chris Rye is bound to kick a whole bunch of ass! Get ready for next week because Monday is not going to be so bad!

“We’ve teamed up with Props BMX’s Chris Rye to bring you something very special this Monday May 1st.. A compelling piece on the legendary Taj Mihelich that tells the story of his Life After Pro.”

“Blueprint” – Friends Section #2

November 22, 2016

Snakebite have released another section from the “Blueprint” video online for your viewing pleasure. This has a few Northwest legends along with straight up legends like Taj Mihelich getting down on street spots, skateparks, trails and more! Hit play and enjoy! Good vibes for sure.

“Derrick Hughes, Austin Helmer, Taj Mihelich, James Potter, Ben Hucke, Forrest Berkey, Mike Lund, Jeremy Croft, & Brennan Britton all hold it down in the second friends part in Blueprint!“

Fairdale Bikes – 2017 Taj Complete

August 15, 2016

The crew at Fairdale Bikes have released their 2017 bike range. As expected, they have done another phenomenal job on the Taj Milhelich hybrid bike that mixes 20″ BMX with a 26″ cruiser. The 2017 Taj starts out with a 100% Track Certified chromoly frame, along with a 100% chromoly fork with a one-piece CNC machined steerer tube and full chromoly BMX inspired two-piece handlebars. The rest of the bike is decked out with Fairdale, Odyssey and Sunday Bikes parts walking the line of BMX and road bike.

STEM: Sunday Freeze, Top-Load
HEADSET: Sealed Integrated, Campagnolo Spec 45º/45º
BRAKE LEVER: Odyssey Monolever, Left and Right
BRAKE: Odyssey Springfield, Front and Rear
GRIPS: Fairdale Swan
SEAT: Odyssey Monogram Principal, Pivotal
SEAT POST: Pivotal, 27.2mm
SEAT CLAMP: Fairdale, 30mm
CRANKS: Chromoly 3-Piece, Chromoly, 175mm
CHAINWHEEL: Fairdale, 33T
BB: Mid, 19mm, Press-fit, Sealed
PEDALS: Odyssey Twisted PC
RIMS: Double wall, 36-Hole, Aluminum
FRONT HUB: 36-Hole 3/8” Axle
REAR HUB: 36-Hole 3/8” Axle
TIRES: Maxxis Holy Roller, 26” x 2.2”
CHAIN: KMC, 1/8”
COG: Odyssey 13T Freewheel (M30)

It’s safe to say this bike could hold up just fine during a session at the skatepark or trails or just out cruising around. The 2017 Taj complete from Fairdale Bikes is available in Army Green only with a price tag of $629.99. You can pick this bike up by hitting up your favorite BMX shop or mail-order that carry Fairdale, Odyssey or Sunday, or by having that shop contact Full Factory Distribution

Fairdale’s Swan grips.

Sunday Bikes Freeze topload stem.

The classic Odyssey Twisted PC Pedals!

Custom graphics by Taj himself.

Pivotal seat giving you plenty of options for finding the seat right angle.

33-tooth sprocket to match the 13-tooth freewheel in the back making for an easy to pedal gear ratio that will still let you get some good speed.

Maxxis Holy Rollers in a 26″ size.

The popular Odyssey Springfield brakes that uses a single spring to give you solid braking.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Fairdale France

July 9, 2016

No, this isn’t BMX, but it’s always interesting seeing what a few BMX legends are getting into these days. Some of the Fairdale Bikes crew took a trip over to France to do some touring around the French Alps and came back with this new video. There’s some awesome sights to take in, in this one and it looks like the guys had an amazing time. Take a look!

“We took Taj Mihelich, Leif Valin, Sandy Carson, and Chris Cotsonas to the French Alps and celebrated Chris’ birthday in one of the best ways imaginable.

—

starring
CHRIS COTSONAS, TAJ MIHELICH, LEIF VALIN, SANDY CARSON

—

directed by
TAJ MIHELICH
FRANCIS DELAPENA

filmed and edited by
FRANCIS DELAPENA

additional filming by
TAJ MIHELICH
LEIF VALIN

illustrations and narration by
TAJ MIHELICH

—

Music by

Don’t Bring it to Life
SOUNDER

Donna Donna
TENNIS COATS

I Want To Ride My Bicycle
OLIVER COTSONAS

Check out the AUGUST 2016
issue of BICYCLING for the full article.

Visit our website for bonus photos and doodles.
HTTP://FAIRDALEBIKES.COM/FAIRDALEFRANCE”
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