Business man by day, Dirt Bag by night - Steve Romaniuk Update

Romo Stills aka Steve Romaniuk has been hard charging on the Freeride Mountain bike scene since his feet first hit the pedals. Steve became an icon to kids on Sunday mornings as they followed him and all the other dirt bags that cruised the country on a stinky old bus, riding different zones and sending it. Steve's growing up, charging as hard as ever and is still the Dirt Bag we all like. We had a moment to sit down with him and chat about his moto back ground, future plans with his bike sponsor Mongoose and his new event this summer-Center of Gravity.

Here's a look at Romo's World:

Pinkbike: It's been a sick trip since those early days and Red Bull Rampage comps! You ever wish there were still some better comps for the senders out there?
Romo:Of course! When do we get to take it to the slope stylers? I am tired of loosing.



We all know you are a sick freeride pinner, any thoughts of giving a few races a go for 2008?
I have actually! For several years now, the problem is that if I'm going to do it, I want to be in downhill shred shape. Most of the season I spend filming and freeriding, instead of doing hot laps at Whistler for 2 months straight. So we will see how the season goes.


With the new Nugget out and about under other team riders and rumors of some new big bikes coming down the hills, are you pumped on the response Mongoose has shown to work with you and your fellow team riders on the new designs? Have you worked with a few team riders on the current designs?
I am on the phone with Mongoose every second week going over the bikes and how they are working and I am just one of their athletes. I am sure Andrew Needling, the Downhill star of the team has put a few words of advise into how to make the bikes goes fast. Haha! Scope his riding-he's quick!


Tell us about your new big travel protos?
What can I say, Mongoose killed it for 08. I first got on the bikes during March of last year and was impressed with what they already had going on. This year I worked closely with the team and the R/D boys at the super goose labs to produce without a doubt one of the best lineups of bikes for 2009. Something for everyone with the Boot'R being the 8 ½ inch downhill rig, to the Pinn'R running as a perfect 7 and 7 bike. Mongoose also now has a bike to cater to the slopestyle market with the Nugget, a 5-inch Single crown specific boneyard destroyer. There is a long list of improvements for 2009 starting right from the names to the tubing. The diameter, materials, and design of the hardware on the bikes is revamped for maximum longevity and strength. Mono-coque tubing is now utilized on the main frames. Solid MAXLE style 150 mm rear ends keep the bikes running stiff through the gnarl. ISCG mounts have been added for more options. The cable routing is slick as it comes down the mainframe and through the shock mounting area for nice clean lines. Furthermore the shock link is now a one-piece solid link. 1.5 head tubes are stock on the Pinn'R and Boot'R giving one the option of using the low stack reducer headset or a 1.5 headset. One thing about riding for this manufacturer; they take huge pride in what their athletes have to offer into the technology. Backing the product by the riders is what they are about. They feel if it is going to work for a 200-pound rider such as myself, then they are confident it is ready for the market, and yes I do abuse the bikes. They're free!


You used to dirt bike before you got into mtb? How did you get into that and at what level were you racing? Was it MX or enduro?
I originally started racing BMX actually. Won some races and had some fun, but lost interest in it for the moto and mountain bikes. I spent a few years riding moto mainly for fun, did poker races. But the problem was getting the bike to the hills and back without a driver's license. Also, not many friends my age owned a dirtbike. Mountain biking was so much easier to do. Everyone had a bike at some level and everyone was able to pedal to where we were riding that day.

Do you bring over skills from moto to mtb? What moto skills helped you in mtb? What was the biggest difference between the two sports?
I brought a lot of skills from moto in the speed in air department. Moto is about going fast and reacting to the terrain quick, and of course the jumps are generally big. The biggest difference between the two is the weight. Where the mountain bike is much more technical and you react to every bump on the trail. The moto is more about picking lines and getting the power down to the dirt.


Do you still ride moto? What moto bike do you have now?
06 Yamaha 450 F with all the toys into it. I also have the super motard kit for it so it is road legal on off road. Much different style as your drifting the bike instead of railing it.


Are the groupies hotter in moto or mtb?
Haha I think there is just a lot more in moto.

What's going on in Kelowna this summer? We heard you've started a whole event-what is that all about?
I have partnered up with the city and a fellow friend in town here to bring an outdoor extreme event to Kelowna. It's the first time Kelowna has had an official event for mountain biking so I am really stoked for it. It will also involve a national volleyball tour stop, Live music, DJ comps, beer gardens, and of course summertime in Kelowna on the LAKE! Come have a great weekend of riding and good times in Kelowna August long.

www.centerofgravity.ca


Got any plans for Romo Stills in the near future?
Haha, only a hobby. For now. But I did just sell a shot to Devinci for their catalog of Mike Kinrade sending it. Here is a shot I took late last summer on the Drop in tour of the good old bus “Rollin”.


Who are your sponsors for next year?

Romo:
Mongoose.com – Frame's
Rockstar69.com – Energy Drink
www.adidas.com/eyewear - Eye Wear
Sombriocartel.com - Clothing
Syncros.com - Components
SRAM.com – Suspensions, Drive train, Brakes
Lizardskins.com – Performance products
Lakecycling.com - Shoes
Skullcandy.com – Headphones and gear
Bellsports.com - Helmet
Dakine.com – Packs, travel gear, Gloves
Pinkbike.com – Media Sponsor
Gerick Cycle and Sports - My Local bike shop

I would like to thank everyone who supports this dream of mine. Support the people that support us! The big companies that utilize athletes for their image and product technology are moving forward!


It is tough to say where the future for myself is heading. I try to take life as it comes, and make the best time of it. I will always try and keep doing things my own way and will help keep the big mountain image in this sport. I really think a lot of the time mountain riding is what most people like to relate to most. I also would like to go on another adventure and make a rider produced series once again. Maybe this event in Kelowna will keep me busy this year as far as producing content myself. I'll leave the rest of the work for the real magic men of the industry that I am working with this year.

Check out some more info about "Romo Stills":
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Steve-Romaniuk-Romo-Stills.html