Old School Throwback: Hammertime

Mar 31, 2013
by Matt Wragg  
In 1995, renowned BMX director Eddie Roman brought us Hammer Time. It’s one of the earliest known “freeride” videos, showcasing the most progressive riding back in the proverbial day. This video has it all - pump tracks, dirt jumping, skinnies, hucks, and some of the earliest known backflips and 360s. Note that most of these moves had never before been seen on a mountain bike. Crossover BMX riders on grown-up bikes gave us a glimpse into what was possible. Of course there is the mandatory Moab segment and observed trials bit, plus the collection of broken parts that was de rigueur in ‘90s. You’ll never forget Matt Hoffman’s groundbreaking mega ramp which eventually defined the X-Games. This is a must see part of history. Watch for Fuzzy’s John Travolta and did Herrington really put his foot through the main triangle? - Jason Chamberlain – Cinema Gravity (video courtesy of Eddie Roman)



Posted In:



Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

60 Comments
  • 15 1
 And now tell me that u need sick 15mm thru axle in front,vpp suspension,wheels made of carbon and 4 piston brake calipers or 13" street/dirt frames,10mm stem,hollowtech cranks etc. to ride like crazy on the bike.They doesnt have these things and still they makes things i can only think of.Smile
  • 2 1
 well done[said]
  • 4 0
 I have to agree! Now I feel like a little pussy on my SX...
  • 3 0
 Better tech helps but it's no substitue for talent. A lot of the "progression" in our sport is more or less to make money.
  • 8 0
 wtf! 1ft x up, 360, backflip, 360 knack, backflip no hander, almost a double backflip, barspin, knack knack, and the list goes on!! all way back then? we haven't come that far with the tricks! sheesh! imagine what they would be doing now if they had the bikes we have?
  • 2 0
 You can`t reinvent the wheel. But you can make it better.
  • 3 0
 so many tacos
  • 1 0
 They shouldn't be on chainguides though
  • 6 0
 Yeah!!! Hammertime!!!
Thanks Matt, I know I requested this weeks ago and you pulled through. Cheers! Beer

(and first post to boot!)
This Vid is/was sole reason I got into MTB from BMX. I even set up my bike just like Eddies Blue GT...

And Dayum Ryan Vanderveen is SMOOTH!
  • 3 0
 You need to thank Jason for this beauty!
  • 4 0
 To the guy in the vid who wanted 100 gauge rims, not to worry we now have these things called mavic deemax rims. They're pretty good you could say.
  • 1 0
 Vander always was smooth as hell. R.I.P. old buddy.
  • 1 0
 R.I.P.?? What the hell? Is Vander no longer ripping it up on a 20" or 26"? What happened? So many awesome BMX guys passing before their time... Mario Soto, Kyle Bennett among many and now I can add Vander to that list? Bummer...
  • 1 0
 Eddie has some great moves in there. The ghost ride, etc. Hilarious.
  • 5 0
 Ha bike shops back in the day must have made a killing off those horrible rims
  • 4 2
 bravo! so much awesomeness in this. a lot of the tricks looked so awkward...like the one-hander karate chop into the no footer pedal grab...but some of it looked really relevant to modern freeride. spandex galore! and those bikes! I will never complain that my bars aren't wide enough after watching that. thanks for posting PB.
  • 5 1
 To everyone with a 7000 dollar bike today, ur a pussy... I'm gonna go find my dads old gt
  • 1 0
 When I started racing (last year), I started on a '98 Trek, hardtail, v-brakes, 3x7. Then someone convinced me to "upgrade" to a 29er with disc, 8 spd, etc. I didn't race any faster because of the bike, but it sure felt more comfortable to ride. Kudo's for anyone still rocking an old school bike!
  • 3 0
 i just love the Matt Hoffman throw back!! JUst goes to show you how old this vid actually is...
  • 2 0
 Any riders remember sheep hills from the video? That is old school. Part of the video was also filmed in Eric Carter's backyard. That was in my old home town.
  • 1 0
 YES! I grew up on this video! my pops got it for me for my 7th birthday I think. Was wondering when this was going to pop up on PB old school throwback.
  • 1 0
 5:40 was just me that used to have v-brakes that didn't brake at all? because that ones seem to be better than my Avid Elixir R...
  • 3 0
 wow Hoffman this still looks good
  • 4 0
 The Condor !
  • 3 0
 HOFFMAN final scene is too much!!!!
  • 1 0
 Thanks PB for posting this video and perfect timing! I picked this one up in the mid 90's, but haven't watched in many years. Still one of my all time favorites!
  • 1 0
 I like the Christian rock and Truth brand clothing mixed in, fitting for an Easter Throwback. Can't believe what those guys where doing with those bikes.
  • 2 0
 "Dang! You got shocks, pegs... lucky! You ever take it off any sweet jumps?" Awesome!
  • 1 0
 I remember getting this when it came out and watching it with my friends. We then went out and tried it and broke bikes, wheels, and ourselves.
  • 3 0
 Збс!
  • 2 0
 24 minutes of old school awesome-ness Smile
  • 1 0
 What I like most about these older vids is that bikes sounded like actual bikes.
  • 2 0
 My old GT LTS-1 must be defective b/c it has never seen air like that.
  • 1 0
 this is soooo dope and so 90s remindes me of the old skateboarding footage back then
  • 1 0
 I love those old school mountain bikes. I miss my 1988 Suteki with its fat IRC Super 8 tires.
  • 1 0
 The strength of those wheels are shockingly bad lol. Reminds me of the crazy 80's and 90's skate videos. Awsome
  • 2 0
 Damn how long has Brian Lopes been kickin' ass?
  • 1 0
 Damnit, why isn't my alpinestars retro build finished yet? I'm off to get some cables tomorrow I think.
  • 1 0
 these videos remind me riding (whatever you ride) is about fun first and foremost
  • 1 0
 makes me want to dust off my tighest pair of lycra shorts, hike that seat up, and try to slay my dads old hardrock.
  • 2 0
 hahah this is so awesome
  • 2 0
 Woh f*ck!! Legendary!!
  • 1 0
 What a hiK!!! like it so much...tnx a lot
  • 1 0
 I have this on vhs. 100 gauge spokes would be like piano wire.. ha.ha!
  • 1 0
 all those bent rims, straight bars and matt Hoffman, pretty sweet
  • 1 0
 Hans Rey...No seagull for you today,,,
  • 2 0
 Olds Cool
  • 4 0
 ^lock up your grannys!
  • 1 0
 I am NOT even CLOSE to those SKiiiLZ ! and we re 18 years ahead !
  • 1 0
 I got death grip from watching that.
  • 1 0
 Modern bikes are for pussies
  • 1 0
 awesome. great old skool tunes and whack samples. enjoyable
  • 1 0
 rock hop at 5:50...wowsa, wowsa, wowsa
  • 2 1
 Crazy Bastards!
  • 1 1
 Err ma grr that brought me back
  • 1 0
 way to long video
  • 1 0
 hahaha damnn
  • 1 0
 holy shit lol
  • 2 2
 I see a trek session!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.061325
Mobile Version of Website