Author Topic: Faction 22" vs 20" racers. is it a fair fight? (Read 2575 times)

JT71 · « **on:** October 28, 2009, 04:37 PM »

I dunno, but here's Keith, one of the designers of the Faction bikes, racing.

Not a valid vimeo URL

HEYWOOD BMX · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2009, 06:13 PM »

The Faction Bikes seem OK,but doubt I`d buy one.The rider probably would`ve got the same result on a 20" or a regular cruiser.Props to them for trying something different but they haven`t exactly reinvented the wheel.It`s also time the BCF clarified/updated the rules on wheel size....

ron burgundy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:18 PM »

but why?...

CD17 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:27 PM »

There doing something similar in MTBing, they have brought out a 29" wheel which is supposed to be a bit smoother over the rough stuff

Philbert · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:39 PM »

If something ain't broke. Don't fix it!

HEYWOOD BMX · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:57 PM »

Maybe they were inspired by the 22" wheel "BMXs" that Toys R Us have been selling for years?

Dingobmxer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2009, 05:55 AM »

And actually our own BMXMatt1974 won Masters at the Midlands Champs

frankenstiens monster only won that lap

DINGO

JT71 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:12 AM »

I like what they are doing, do I need/want a 22"? nope, but I like their ideas and passion for their sport.

good luck to em, but I wonder what the advantages are of a 22" over a 20", other than it's a touch bigger.

what ever, it's more bmx than a 24" !

and certainly more bmx than a 26"

(in my opinion)

what do the racers feel about a 22" racing in with 20s? or with 24s? should it be just 20s? but then should all racers run the same tyres to get the same wheel diameter/circumference? does it make much difference? not being a racer I don't know.

as for the if it ain't broke don't fix it thing, I think innovation and new ideas are to be welcomed in all walks of life. They might not be needed
but life would be boring if we just stood still and accepted what we already had.

(and I'm in no way connected to Faction, they didn't flow my any stuff, and I only rode a prototype at creation, cos it had pegs on, and it was heavy, I just like what they do and figured this would be good for debate)

HEYWOOD BMX · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:56 AM »

Not sure of the ad/disadvantages of a 22".As for the racing thing,bikes should stick to their own class regardless of BCF bull****.It`d be a good few years for a 22" class to be needed though! Maybe I`m just an old stick in the mud,but I don`t see why MTBs are sometimes allowed to race at BMX events? Surely MTB has enough UK events? I don`t think BMX should be exclusive BUT if the riders want to ride in BMX races they should go and buy a BMX.

Spen69 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2009, 02:51 PM »

I'll put the cat amogst the pigeons as I've just been and picked one of these 22" Faction Zeitgeist's to try it for myself. I figured that if I'm gonna go to the dark-side and buy a NS bike to try, I might as well go full-on Sith-lord and try something really fookin' radical......

Keep you posted

sanderson · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:14 PM »

shite,why bother.

were you going to get tyres from,unless mike aikten starts riding one.

stick with my 20 inch or 24.

bmxmatt1974 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:17 PM »

no mention on there about the first 2 races where he was beaten by 2 olympic standard 20" bikes in each race

Spen69 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:54 PM »

Just got in - tightened it all up and took it for a spin..... fook me, it's wierd

Then again, I've never ridden a NS bike before, so I'll see what it's like at the weekend in the day light so I don't injure myself

Spen

ps - Faction sell the tyres & tubes, so if I like it, I'm gonna buy some spares in case they go out of business

Peter J · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:57 PM »

So are you gona come for a roll around the track them........big boy........

Well you'll have two inch more than me

Spen69 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:02 PM »

It's the size of the hammer you hit the nail with that counts chunky, so you kick my ass still no problem

Dunno. Bought it as I felt like it. You'll have to have a go, see what you think bud

Spen

Peter J · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:11 PM »

Give me a shout when you and your bro are free..........we'll have a wobble round chesterfield track

dialledbikes · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:34 PM »

Quote from: JT71 on October 29, 2009, 08:12 AM

what ever, it's more bmx than a 24" !

and certainly more bmx than a 26"

24s and 26s were around in the early days of BMX.

It's all BMX, but just like 26s became extinct, I can't see 22" wheels catching on.

K-A-E · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:47 PM »

xcuse me chippin in, the faction rider didn't win the first two heats because he's a total newb to racing, the rest of the field were race-fit and experienced, on the best 20" kit money could buy- getting a great result like that in one of your first races in nineteen years says a lot about why 22" bikes are so damn good- that massive lead makes them old 20's look pretty 'broke' to me.

HEYWOOD BMX · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:00 AM »

For sure that`s a good result-doubt it has anything to do with the bike being "so damn good."Doesn`t come close to making 20" being broke either.Next we`ll be hearing that they cure AIDS and bring peace to the world....

Don`t get me wrong,Faction are doing their own thing pretty well and if I get the opportunity I`d like to try one before passing too much of a final judgement.

Dingobmxer · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2009, 06:13 AM »

Quote from: K-A-E on October 29, 2009, 10:47 PM

xcuse me chippin in, the faction rider didn't win the first two heats because he's a total newb to racing, the rest of the field were race-fit and experienced, on the best 20" kit money could buy- getting a great result like that in one of your first races in nineteen years says a lot about why 22" bikes are so damn good- that massive lead makes them old 20's look pretty 'broke' to me.

I dont think these bikes have a place in bmx racing at the moment, what do the rules say?

The only place I can see them being legal are in the "30+ open wheel class" at Nottingham on Sunday

DINGO

baldbmxer · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2009, 08:31 AM »

Quote from: JT71 on October 28, 2009, 04:37 PM

I dunno, but here's Keith, one of the designers of the Faction bikes, racing.

Not a valid vimeo URL

I dont know about the bike but call in the fashion police cos its definatley a crime to be wearing that helmet whether its BITD or right now!!!!

JT71 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 30, 2009, 08:42 AM »

Quote from: mike@dialledbikes on October 29, 2009, 09:34 PM

Quote from: JT71 on October 29, 2009, 08:12 AM
what ever, it's more bmx than a 24" !

and certainly more bmx than a 26"

24s and 26s were around in the early days of BMX.

It's all BMX, but just like 26s became extinct, I can't see 22" wheels catching on.

OH I totally agree that 22" is unlikey to catch on big time, but I wonder if there's room for them amongst peeps who find a 20" a bit too small but don't want a cruiser.

and Baldbmxer is sooo right about that lid.

subversion · « **Reply #22 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:29 PM »

20" = BMX

But I'd still love you Joe if you wanted to ride a '+2' dude

monkian · « **Reply #23 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:44 PM »

On a technical note how come it's allowed to compete against 20" or 24".
Surely it should have to race in it's own 22" class? or am I missing the point?

Size wise it seems to make sense it terms of getting a greater distance covered with the same amount of effort over a typical track (subject to gearing). 20" maybe too small, 24" maybe too big, perhaps they could call it Goldilocks Class

I guess it could exist in it's own right without being a threat to 20". Whatever the outcome good to see constant innovation in the sport (or is 22" a concept from the past?)