Home of the Super Monster T - Another Look Inside the Eastern European Vintage Freeride Scene

Dec 28, 2021
by Yegor  
The beginning of the Tales from Underground project. Coming soon the boring tags Karpiel Apocalypse Marzocchi Super Monster SDG Big Boy Grimeca System 17 Seismic Industries Hubs Halo SAS Purple Haze...
Filming the Tales From Underground (2021). More on that at the end of the article!

OH HELLO THERE.mp3

bigquotesAlright, pal: looks like you finally decided to build yourself a streetetz bike. Very well, your choice is wise, and worthy of respect.CityDownhiller, 2007
A while ago I was enjoying my occasional film nostalgia... on the watchlist was JIB. So, one Saturday evening I sat down and heard the familiar funky music start...

"...The word JIB was originally coined by snowboarders to describe trick-oriented riding in man-made environments. Now this same style of mountain-biking is usually been referred to as urban mountain-biking. The only problem I see with this is there are no mountains involved. I think this style of riding has really evolved into its own art form, and I think it reserves its own identity. And that's why I chose to call it: JIB-bing..." (Wixom, 2002).

I paused, as if it was the first time I heard him say this. Oh my. Thor knew. He really did know. Perhaps what he didn't know was that jibbing was to take off, and become a really big deal - across the ocean, in the Eastern Europe, on the other side of the world... back then so alien, so distant. Perhaps still so.
photo
Ionn on the Banshee Scream (2005)

bigquotesAllow me offer you my guidance, let me enlighten you.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
Fukel and the Rock Machine Adrenaline 6000 (2007)

bigquotesAt the head of streetetz bike is the fork. The theater begins with a hanger, streetetz begins with a fork. Axiom one: it must be a dual-crown.CityDownhiller, 2007

Without further ado: this is the sequel to the "Home of the Monster T", a blog post so popular that a translation was requested.

That time I told the story of a [now dead] riding style on our side of the globe, commonly referred to as streetetz. Ironically or not, its members worshiped the Apocalypses, and the Armageddons; tamed Banshees; prayed to Italian 40mm's.

You probably already know: streetetz was a big deal. Such a big deal, in fact, that at some point it was also studied by regional linguists.
photo
Simak's Stark Shooter and the Mr. Dirt (2010)

bigquotesSingle crown streetetz is like riding a bike with only a left crank: gets a job done, but looks stupid.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
MivMaster and the Atom Team Replica (2007)

bigquotesLet me help. Remember, pal: the first undeniably good sign is a fork's serious brutality, with legs (stanchions) fat and wide apart.CityDownhiller, 2007

Today I will continue telling you the story about the weird riding style streetetz, the closest analogy to which is Thor Wixom's legendary JIB (2002); riding style in the Eastern Europe to which entire forum clubs (equivalent to modern days sub-reddits) were devoted.

During its decade and a half life, it had its own fashion cycles; developed its own philosophy and a vision of building a certain kind of bike, in a very certain kind of way. Like all cults and followings must, streetetz had axioms and dogmas. These were, throughout the years, constantly questioned and challenged; fought for and against, and fought fiercely, viciously...

...but at the end, if the 100-page long thread wars taught us anything, it was this: surprisingly many who fought with blood, sweat, and tears; against, or for, didn't happen to exactly know why they so did. Surprisingly many. In fact, while working on a translation of "Home of the Monster T" I realized I myself didn't quite know everything. Sometimes things just aren't what they seem.
photo
Spet and Specialized Big Hit in Moscow (2009)

bigquotesThe fork must be the biggest, the fattest, and the heaviest. The undeniably second good sign is its huge travel: at least 8 inches or more.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
VIPBNG's Nicolai Nucleon DH (2009)

bigquotesNext: the frame. If choosing full-suspension, only two things matter: the size of its tubes and, obviously, its travel.CityDownhiller, 2007

You've probably read the original "Home of the Monster T", and perhaps still remember the holy scripts, the streetetz bible... the sets of rules to follow when building a streetetz bike, and the wars over them. You didn't? Here's the good news: it doesn't matter. If you are feeling nostalgic though... it's still an ok read.

"What would Freud say looking at your 24's, the Super Monsters, and the DoubleWides?" during one of such forum wars asked a user under the name of BlackBolt (2009). That, BlackBolt, is a wonderful question. What would Freud say?
photo
Chervinskiy and Giant Comp DH on Hell Track in Dubky, Kyiv (2004)

bigquotesTubes should be fat AF, travel should be more than 8, or 9, or 10 inches.CityDownhiller, 2007


Dan Beast s Specialized Big Hit with Marzocchi Monster 2 24 inch DoubleWides Loveseat and FSA Pounders.
Dan Beast's Specialized Big Hit III (2009)

bigquotesBefore you buy, ask if 3.0 at the back fits. Because if not - wrinkle your lips with disgust, be indignant!CityDownhiller, 2007

DISCLAIMER: "this is either for the entirely sober, or for the totally inadequate among you. Those who are in-between got nothing to catch here" (PreDOC, 2011). All quotes come from *our* forums, and were translated loosely for your better interpretation. They might not represent my personal opinion, but don't skip any - they are a huge part of the story!

This op-ed, dark-themed article is for the mature audiences who wear a helmet when riding, and who know things aren't always what they seem to be. This article kindly encourages to ask questions.
photo
Fush, he who built the legendary Fuzh drop on Smotrovaya in Moscow (2005)

bigquotesThe classics are Banshee Scream, DaBomb Projectile... or generic, cliche Specialized Big Hit or Demo; also some older Norcos...CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
PNTRZ Miha's and his mate's black Cocks in Moscow (2009)

bigquotesNow: the rear shock. There is only one important criterion: it should have a remote reservoir.CityDownhiller, 2007
Archive photos. Do not ask me to sell as the photos are few years old. But back in 2013... virgin Stratos El Jefe s and the virgin Fox Vanilla DH shock. Tasty.
El Hefes and Vanilla DH (2011)

2012 open season
Max and Colowrat, riding Rotec Pro and Balfa BB7, on the opening season night-ride in Moscow (2012)

bigquotesIf someone is selling you a shock, but it doesn't have a remote reservoir - they are trying to sell you a shock that is shit! Don't let them fool you, be vigilant!CityDownhiller, 2007
Avalanche DHS Stratos El Jefe Risse jupiter 7R
DHS, El Hefe, Jupiter 7R (2013)

photo
F.L.A.K.E.'s Corsain Crown (2012)

bigquotesNext is the bars: 800+ only, okay? Ideally you need Renthal motorcycle bars. First: because they're wide, and second: because moto is moto.CityDownhiller, 2007
photo
Stark Shooter (2011)

photo
Diman's and Kaban's Screams (2013)


bigquotesMoto is moto, pal. Oh! And make sure the bars come with a pillow pad: so that everyone knows you are *that* hardcore.CityDownhiller, 2007
photo
Tala and his Cock(2010)


photo
Koschei's and Snegurka's, both Bender's editions of course! - Banshee Screams (2007)

bigquotesThe seat: an Azonic Longseat or a Loveseat. Your butt will feel great, and you can take your girl for a spin... or your boy. All the other seats are just wannabe Loveseats.CityDownhiller, 2007


Karpiel Apocalypse Shimano Airlines Azonic Loveseat
Apocalypse, Airlines, Loveseat (2013)
photo
Yeltsin's Evil Imperial (2010)
bigquotesYou can also do the traditional Bender-style and tape 2 seats together, that'll also work. Again: this proves you are dropping hard, and that you treasure your huge balls.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
Tala's Cock (2009)

photo
Chaparral by Komaroff (2007)

bigquotesNext: the brakes. Brakes define who you are, pal. Rotor should be 8+, it's the law. Only 2 pistons? You can't be serious. Your only choice is 4+.CityDownhiller, 2007

Servicing Grimeca System 17. Shoutout to BikePoint est. 2004
System 17 (2019)

photo
Koschei on a night ride-out in Moscow (2007)
bigquotesNext: the rims. Choose by looking exclusively at their weight, and their width. DoubleTrack isn't bad, it's heavy and strong. But the DoubleWide is also wide, and its width is known to please the eyes of real connoisseurs.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
Lucky Luciano (2009)

photo
Kosto and his Karpiel Armageddon (2012)


bigquotesThe tires? At least 2.8, up to 3.0. Can't find any 3.0's? Well, there is a cheat: on a DoubleWide even the narrower tires look wider than they are.CityDownhiller, 2007

photo
Unknown (2009)


Aloe s Specialized Big Hit with Super Monster T s. The Stritzenwagen
Aloe's Stritzenwagen from Kyiv (2016)
bigquotesAnd never forget: 2.8 DoubleTrack and 2.8 DoubleWide are not the same!CityDownhiller, 2007

Richi Hulk from Moscow
Kotik's Hulk (2011)

photo
Woodcutter (2010)

bigquotesOther components don't matter at all. Save money where you can. I wish you luck in your endeavors, brother. Enjoy the glances and the admiration!CityDownhiller, 2007

The Monster T gang
Zhytomyr, Ukraine (2020)


photo
Slayer22 and Mountaincycle Shockwave (2009)

bigquotesYears go by, I ride less, and less... but dirt.ru is like a childhood memory I keep coming back to. I remember taking the first steps; remember swinging on the swings for the first time; remember my first ever birthday cake; remember registering on dirt.ru...Morskoy kotik, 2017

photo
DCP (2006)
photo
TApoK and a Banshee Scream from Moscow (2019)
bigquotes...and ever since life was never the same: concussions, broken bones... prioritizing buying a bike fork over eating breakfasts in the school - to keep my teeth in place for slightly longer...Morskoy kotik, 2017
photo
photo
Plunsher (2007)
bigquotes...and next was motocross: higher, faster... but even that wasn't enough, and I bought a sportbike. And if I don't crash into a pole on the sportbike I take my GT-R the spin..;Morskoy kotik, 2017
photo
Unknown (2006)

bigquotes...and oh my, you just can't sell *these* rides; you and the gear been through so much, together. You love your ride as if you love a woman: but not some byproduct of crazy marketologists, designed to safely please the most, intended for general self-realization purposes.Morskoy kotik, 2017
photo
necrofreerider in Crimea (2011)

photo
Yojik in Vorobyovy Gory, Moscow (2012)

bigquotesI am talking about the gear, which crawls deep inside of you and tries to tear you apart; the gear which leaves you crippled and scarred. These little evils which patiently sit in your garage, but which are ready to shatter the dull ordinary life routine. The gear at which you stare at in fear...Morskoy kotik, 2017
photo
necrofreerider and his Santa Cruz V-10mk1 in Crimea (2012)

photo
Dan Beast and Chernovetskyi in Kyiv (2010)

bigquotesAnyway. Sorry for the very *emotional and dramatic* intro. Point is: dirt.ru is a place I keep coming back to, to relive the moment. And so: during one of these visits I casually stumbled upon a forum post by SEi... and pondered.Morskoy kotik, 2017
photo
necrofreerider in Crimea (2010)

photo
Banshee Driver from Moscow (2011)
bigquotes- When I was a little kid shitposting, SEi was patiently overseeing dirt.ru;
- When I was studying in the university, I was regularly bumping into SEi's posts;
- When SEi broke up with his wife, he was overseeing dirt.ru;
Morskoy kotik, 2017
Broken Rocky Mountain RM-7
Kostya and his broken RM7, on Bitzevsky Park's Mayak, Moscow (2007)
bigquotes- When I broke up with my wife, SEi, again, was still overseeing dirt.ru;
- When I graduated and found a job I then kept for years... SEi was here;
- Today I barely come online... but if I do, guess what I see? I still see SEi: he, like Cerberus, is still guiding the entrance to hell.
Morskoy kotik, 2017
BMW Rubber Duckie with Marzocchi Super Monster Grimeca System 17 Shimano Airlines Seismic Hub 4 shinburger pedals.
Brooklyn Machine Works. The Rubber Duck (2017)
bigquotesAT THIS POINT I LOST IT. Who is this all-seeing-eye man, who shares IP-addresses of scammers; actively reads books; time to time kisses a bottle; possesses minimalistic but expressive rhetoric? Who bans, teaches, and - educates? How do maintain your sanity, SEi?!Morskoy kotik, 2017

photo
Koschei and his little Monsters (2007)

photo
Necrofreerider's Santa Cruz V-10mk1 (2006)

bigquotesP.S. The legend says that if you collect enough warning points, SEi will arrive late night, on a black huck-bike; rolling on the dead-silent 3.0's you will not hear; will suck your soul out, and drive off into the darkness...Morskoy kotik, 2017

photo
DSP's VVC Force stickers (2009)

VVC - FORCE

bigquotesYegor, did you ever read the Deep Forest Tales?SEi, 2021

When the news about the Pinkbike article reached Moscow, SEi, for the last 18 years the moderator of dirt.ru forum, asked me whether I have read the Deep Forest Tales. Having read the book, I promptly quoted its introduction: "Memory - is like an artist, and to each it paints a painting of their own. Maybe things I told you were lies, deceptions, or delusions, which came from someone high as f*ck; or the memorials of times long gone - twisted and distorted by the mind of the storyteller, the chronicler...

...but maybe! - even if they are, you'll gain access to some extraordinary memories, even if these memories aren't exactly of your own. Imagine two people looking at a sandy beach: but one is looking through the pink-tinted glasses, while another - through a holographic sight. The perceptions and memories of the two will probably differ. I am just a focus lens; a kaleidoscope through which shines the magic, unique world - unique world of the universe of people
" (The Deep Forest Tales, 2007).
photo
Pil_ka in Moscow Underground (2003)

bigquotesSo to restore justice: 0. Streetetz was created; 1. And created it was on the VVC.SEi, 2021

The VVC
On the VVC (2009)

bigquotesYou know, there is a saying: every joke has some truth to it. It all started as trolling, but turned into religion...SEi, 2021

In the very late 1990s, "really long time ago, there was a web-portal: velozona [literally "bike zone"]. One could upload anyone one pleased, for public pleasure. That's were two brothers dwelled: one rode Street/Park, the second loved Brooklyn Machine Works. Actually, no: both liked Brooklyn Machine Works, and they both were actively uploading the photos of huck-bikes. Their efforts did not go in vain" (SEi, 2021).

Keep that in mind, but let's put things into perspective first. Post-USSR, the end of 1990s, the fall of the once eternal empire. Social inequality; soaring crime rates; hyper-inflation, which made people lose all of their savings. To say that 1990s were difficult times for ordinary mortals would be a rude understatement (things are slightly somewhat better now, apparently, but that's a discussion for another day). The early 2000s, too, were difficult; but somewhat liberating.
photo
Vasily and Batch Kot 26 in Moscow (2003)

bigquotesDoes VVC have its own ideology, philosophy of some sort? Well, I guess you can say so - the pinnacle is the "philosophy" pushed by Pilka, the Name, Smoke, 154! (from author: the invisible street people movement) and the others. LOLGAz67, 2006

The VVC
On the VVC (2006)

bigquotesDirt.ru was established in 2003. How did the idea of creating something like this come about?Kubas interviewing Dronix, 2010

The vast majority of post-soviet humans lived in poverty, or extreme poverty. But! At some point, in 2000s, the combination of once existing efficient democratic institutions combined and the rapid transition to an open world economy proved particularly fruitful. For a first time in years, for many it felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel. And it's true: in late 2000s things seemed to be going slightly better and better. In 2020, many years later, it's safe to say: no, they weren't.

...But back then! The global developments in growing economic activity were catalyzed by sudden explosion of the internet, the true penetrator of the iron curtain. It was a game-changer before many realized it was (for example, it allowed borrowing pirated alien films from VHS rentals). Few could afford a computer; a handful could afford a bike, let alone - a downhill or a freeride bike. And yet, that time period was the MTB-boom many Russians and Ukrainians still treasure memories of; because back then there was still hope for a better future.
photo
In the middle: Vi5000 and VaDick (the couple), and Dronix (in sunglasses), creator of dirt.ru (2005)

bigquotesI was first hanging out on biketrials, but when I started freeriding it really annoyed me that no website was good enough for conversing, buy-sell, etc.; the name... well, "dirt" came by accident, but we kind of stuck to that. Took about a week to fire it up.Dronix, 2010

photo
On Krasnoarmejskaja (2001)
bigquotesIt all begun as conversations: from talks about the bikes, and talks about ride-outs. Perhaps all of that was an echo of the trials past, where everybody are obsessed about each and every gram; where every new, lighter piece of gear makes you ecstatic.Dronix, 2010
photo
Kona Contest in Orekhovo, Moscow (2005)
bigquotesIn retrospective, how did dirt.ru influence Russian mountainbiking?Kubas interviewing Dronix, 2010

Back then Russian Federation considered joining European Union, yes-yes. Needless to say, Russians and Ukrainians traveled and competed in sports peacefully, rode bikes together on either side of the borders. Hundreds took their rides and traveled on platzkarts back and forth between the capitals, and participated in races.

The explosion in the speed of change of information technology trends catalyzed the interactions. Yes, personal computers were less abundant than they are nowadays, but the sudden emergence of internet cafes played its role. In the early 2000s the sisters of Pinkbike (2000), like dirt.ru (2003) and x-bikers.ru (2003), became the social networks for those who suddenly wanted to use this unique opportunity to connect with peers.

The internet revolutionized commercial activity; made the information available to the masses; revolutionized social interactions, and suddenly gave opportunities for at-home endless conversations; the online interaction, after a while, brought the phenomenon of distance-decay.
Sapun-Gora race 2009
Lucky Luciano racing in Crimea, on Sapun-Gora (2009)
bigquotesWe actively participated in and influenced the endogenous MTB underground scene. We actively PR-ed magazines, and bike shows. We organized competitions, and provided sponsorship.Dronix, 2010
photo
DenveR next to a Banshee Scream and the UAZ (2009)
bigquotesWe also brought the f*ck-it Fridays. Working on countless other projects made me realize you must always keep them active and talking, entertain them...Dronix, 2010
photo
The only right way to spend your time on the VVC (2005)
bigquotesBut dirt.ru truly shined at the creation of cross-regional, inner local connections. Back then we didn't really have any other social networks, and dirt.ru became *the* network.Dronix, 2010
photo
The gathering of some streetseveds in Moscow (2011)
bigquotesThat's how many underground bike communities came to be. VVC - Force was one of such, and over the years it became really famous.Dronix, 2010

Pioneers at the VVC
Pioneers at the VVC

Pioneers at the VVC
Pioneers at the VVC
The VVC, photos by Proudav (2001)

bigquotesWho was I riding with on the VVC??? Help me find you!!! Where are y'all, who were riding back then? Max, Vanya, Tanya, Zhenya, Sanya, reply!!! Where is the VVC Force I once knew, parties with 30 to 60 people on the central??? Reply!!!proudav, 2006

There is a place in Moscow: the VVC, or the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy. The vast open space - the heavy benches, the stairs, the stone monuments, and the long alleys - were perfect for Street/Park riding. From that point onward, the VVC's central holding center number 69 became a hub, where dozens would gather every evening. "It all begun at the Central - the main VVC entrance in 2001. Most were riding BMX, spending most of their time on the VVC. We rode together, we learned new tricks together. Some came for the company and the community; some came to practice the art of sport, and tricks... everyone was catching the buzz their way.

It wasn't just about the VVC, too - we gathered in forests, on the dirts, and long distance trips on bikes; binge-drinkings; fights; theft... a little bit of everything. At some point we realized: the time we wasted on riding was no longer wasted time. The once difficult tricks became easy, and we realized we wanted to reach new heights: we realized we wanted to film our movie. And that's when "VVC - Force" truly begun
..." (VVC Force, 2015).
photo
Chernikov on Poklonka in Moscow (2009)

bigquotesLook, if you are really curious - just google it. The history of VVC (aka VDNH) is overall an interesting one. At first it was supposed to be a one-time event, equivalent to an "expo"; but during the process of its realization it would become empire's showcase.Yves, 2007
Pavel Vabishchevich s Japanese Bike
Vabishchevich on the VVC (2016)
bigquotesLong time ago - back when VDNH was VDNH, and not a bunch of stalls at every pavilion, - it showcased lots of models: of automobiles, and factories, and trains, and dams... I recall that back in mid-90s there was an exhibition of railway lines, railway switches, crossings... even some brake systems for the sorting stations (they actually brought those in!), but that was a one-timer.Mad_baD, 2007
photo
Casual Moscow nightride (2007)
bigquotesToday you can find and discover much, much more, with a help of internet. More than anything VDNH could have back then offered. Kind of sad, but I prefer new, which in itself is the echo of the retired and forgotten old...Mad_baD, 2007




photo
photo
Snegurka (2009)




bigquotesThe Russian MTB industry has a weird faith of its own. Before it was born, it started to die. All-year-round conditions of regular training? Regular competitions and events? Sponsorships, and professional contracts?Torch!, 2015

photo
On the Academy, Moscow (2007)

bigquotesNo. That's not about her. That's why, as riders age, even the most talented end up doing something else: living by riding in Russia is simply impossible.Torch!, 2015

Views: 45,700    Faves: 1,131    Comments: 142

bigquotesFor 5 long years we were accumulated our anger to help us finish this movie. We gathered everyone together, again, to show our middle finger to the system; which in reality nearly consumed us. We give you a chance to see and judge for yourself.Torch!, 2015
Views: 19,157    Faves: 531    Comments: 60

bigquotesThis movie is entirely non-commercial, and was carried on the shoulders of the enthusiasts to awaken this abomination of an industry in Russia! Hopefully you'll enjoy it so much you can't look away, wanting to see more. Live your life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to be a freak!Torch!, 2015
Views: 35,916    Faves: 465    Comments: 32

bigquotesLook, I get it. You've spent a lot of time on it, seriously. The technical side of things is absolutely not cheap... but there's no soul! Yes, the riding's decent; but that's not something I will watch again.Bocharov, 2011

What is Bocharov (2011) talking about? Well, let's find out. The movies I leave up for your viewing pleasure, but let's rewind back to the early 2000s, again: you have a communication boom in states once ideologically conservative. Suddenly everyone around you has a phone, and are sharing pictures, videos, music. Suddenly starts the epoch of primitive internet forms of life; the epoch of internet-cafes and ringtones.

Following is a sudden popularization of a previously [relatively] unheard of extreme sport; video rental shops borrow out Down, Double Down, JIB...
photo
Dada's .243 in Moscow (2005)

bigquotesThumping is great. Beer stimulates art!Monster T, 2004

photo
B.A.D. in Moscow (2003)

bigquotesFinally - our annual video is finished. As always - only the best Russian riders; only the professional equipment. Our white-collar approach allowed us to reach the entirely new heights, so If you don't throw up on twentieth minute - we failed in our intention!!!Pil_ka, 2004


bigquotesMega insane, especially how you opened the beer bottle with the Monster T!! Riding dirty wearing white, and hucks to flat, hucks to flat, hucks to flat... where can I pirate the song?! This kind of evil is the streetetz, upvotes!SINDIKAT, 2007


bigquotesStreetetz was born on the VVC. You deserve death by burning, for not knowing even the basics; the absolute prerequisites... without which you will never understand our mental depths. You don't choose to ride cross-country: you are stuck riding cross-country.GAz67, 2009

SEi (2021) recalls it because of the rapidly growing popularity of a new extreme sport, people on a la huck-bikes (dirt-cheap hardtails with dual crowns and thick tires) would regularly show up on the VVC, cruise around, huck to flat. When those who actually streeted/parked on VVC were asking a la huck-bikers: "what are you riding, precisely?", they answered, shrugging shoulders: "street".

That happened so regularly and was so funny that Pil_ka (2003) ultimately came up with an appropriate name. "Within days since the creation of the term, we ironically came up with an entire subculture, where the key ideological dogmas were summarized: Super Monster as the meaning of life; Gazzaloddi 3.0's; 24's and the widest rims; brakes with shitload of pistons and 200+ rotors; the Seatlaz-Loveseat-whatever; the motocross bars with skyscraping rise. The apogee, of course, was the mounted beer basket, to emphasize the uselessness and worthlessness of all this junk" (SEi, 2021).

So riders from VVC were trolling people who were new to the sport, but knew very little about the sport; and the trolling was so deep-fried that people ironically came up with an entire subculture; with a bible, life philosophy, and religious sacredness.
photo
SSup (2007)

bigquotesIt has been my understanding that not everybody knows where Streetetz, the Streetsefer cult, the philosophy came from. Did it all begin on dirt.ru? Could you please tell us a little more?Kubas interviewing Dronix, 2010

photo
The sacred flame, the pinnacle of streetetz by Dronix (2003)

bigquotesYes-yes! I actually remember who came up with the term - Andrej Pil_ka. I think it's the Russian mentality: you must be cool, but what if you do don't know any tricks and don't have what it takes, the only thing left to do is to get a top-of-the-line bike.Dronix, 2010
photo
Unknowns (2007)

photo
Slava (2007)

bigquotesBut how does one know - that the bike is *top-of-the-top*? Oh, it must look *super-f*cking-insane*; in fact so that even the most distant from MTB people look at it, and say - "now *that* is a super-f*cking-insane bike, he simply *MUST* be *THAT* good!Dronix, 2010
photo
Art-tour (2010)

photo
"He loves hucking to flat, Gazza 3.0's, and Karpiel. Watching the sunsets he sits on his Loveseat, drinking beer, and thinking about him (streetetz). Lighters die from making eye-contact with him. He is so real, so pure... (Prohor, 2011)

bigquotesObviously those who were actually good and rode Street/Park were trolling and condemning; those who weren't good and neither had the super-f*cking-insane bike would condemn and troll doubly. We all had a good sense of humour - at some point Pil_ka just called it " Streetetz".Dronix, 2010
photo
DenveR and Colowrat (2011)

photo
PNTRZ Miha's and Streetcifer's rides (2007)

bigquotesThe Streetsefer, the God of Streetetz, came later - to please him you had to drink lots of beer in crowded places and put on a 2.7+ tire. The legend said that if one encountered the wrath of the Streetsefer, one would be cursed with tire punctures and fork leaks...Dronix, 2010
asdadadasd
Dan Beast (2013)

photo
Sergei, Mikhail, Kolya Komaroff and CTRAX from X-Bikers in Novorossiysk, Russia (2009)

bigquotesWait-wait-wait, WHAT? GAz, does it mean that all these LVNs and other Streetetzlovers were just puppets all along?! Those LIGHTERS YOU TALKED ABOUT CREATED YOU, the lighters you so sincerely troll and hate! Streetetz was just an insecurity! GUYS YOU GOT SHREKED!=lex=, 2009

And like =lex= (2009), you might go: "wait-wait-wait, WHAT? If all of that was deep fried trolling all along, what was the catch, if there ever was one"? Yes: there was a catch.

The catch was that quite few from the VVC Force and 154!, while trolling and having fun, would consciously, self-ironically indulge in streetetz; and even would go as far as make considerable efforts to popularize the movement. "...A year or two later Kubas and I decided to take the trolling to the next level - we intentionally took such bikes to the downhill races, and raced on them. At that point the artificially created synthetic streetetz, thanks to our continuous endeavors, became popular and was finally brought to the masses" (SEi, 2021).

There was once a time when regional linguists, together with sociologists, attempted to understand and operationalize streetetz (Polyphony of the Big City, 2014). They understood a lot, but they haven't understood everything. But, as it later turned out, it wasn't just them: remarkably few knew that things aren't always what they seem.
uknown s babushka admiring and respecting the Marzocchi Monster T and wide bars
Anon's babushka, admiring his choice to ride streetetz (year unknown)
bigquotesThe year 2004 was held under the auspices of the birth of the new style - streetetz. You might not think of it as you think of sport, but this is not true: do you know how much energy and effort you need to pedal your chunk boy way to a beer stand? And how much more - to go back?Dronix, 2005
Norco A-Line 2005 and this year s Rockshox Boxxer
Marzocchi Super Boxxers (2013)

bigquotesBut of course, pedalling to a beer stall is bike's secondary use, primary being - dropping to flat, and riding down the stairs... and we thought: how do we reward the streetetz enjoyers?Dronix, 2005

I made wheel stand from Disco.
Banz (2009)

photo
Behero and Aloe (2012)



bigquotesAnd so the decision is made: we are hosting Ultimate Streetetz Challenge of 2005! Аt the heart of streetetz is the bike, so that's exactly what we will be collectively evaluating. Pimp your ride. On April the 1st we will publish the rules, and the registration will begin. Jury will be awarding points, the points will then be summed. The winners will be blessed with some exclusive, original awards! The jury are the administrators of dirt.ru: Dronix, Torch!, Tallion, Heathen, SEi, Pil_ka, Air, GR. The main prize: a set of Arrow Racing PrimeBite, from our sponsor - BikeSport!Dronix, 2005
photo
Fuzh, the B.A.D. drop, Moscow (2004)

photo
Krosavcheg and his Scream (2013)

bigquotesWell, perhaps now you understand why I was asking you about the Deep Forest Tales, whether you have read this "magnificent" book.SEi, 2021

photo
Practice runs in Orekhovo, Moscow (2010)

INFERENCE

bigquotesKisses to everyone in the chat. Guess I should say a few words, myself. Streetetz, once created, has left a mark. It left it in Russia; in Ukraine; in Belarus; in the Baltic; pretty much all around post-USSR.SEi, 2021

And, like all things must, streetetz had a beginning; a meaning; and the end. Let's summarize the key pivotal points.

Point number one: streetetz can be traced back to the VVC, in Moscow, Russia. Point number two: streetetz didn't just appear out of the blue, it was invented by street riders like Pil_ka, the Name, and others from 154! and dirt.ru; point number three: it turned out that many streetseveds had no clue that the despised by them lighters were actually behind the very creation of streetetz culture.

Four: streetetz started as trolling those who unknowingly tried riding street on huck-bike inspired dual-crown hardtails. Five: streetetz took off as a self-ironic twisted joke. Six: the Holy Fathers themselves, despite all the trolling, were actually forcing the movement, and wanted it to take off. Seven: streetetz was the pinnacle of having a good time. And lastly, finally: streetetz was the closest we ever were to JIB, at least on this side of the globe.
photo
Profan (2005)

bigquotesSome say streetetz was absurd, but streetetz wasn't about bikes; it was about the people.SEi, 2021

photo
Nocrofreerider's V10mk1 and Hanabi's Big Hit (2011)


bigquotes...About those who decided not to wash the poison down their veins, or obtain hemorrhoids through Linage and WOW; those who went on the streets, took their bikes, and flexed; doing what they enjoyed.SEi, 2021
Banshee meetup in Moscow
Snegurka and the Banshees (2012)


photo
Konastab and his Kona Stab from Saint-Petersburg (2010)

bigquotesIt was as far away from the sport as mother's tit was from the soviet milk industry, and yet! And yet, it has left a mark. Through streetetz walked many, and after getting to know a few of them I can't confidently say they were bad people.SEi, 2021
photo
Unknown's Norco T-34, Photo by FPDen (2013)

photo
Kyiv's Mousetrap (2012)



bigquotesStreetetz died: like freeride and all-mountain did. But similar faith awaits enduro; down-country; trail gravel, and the rest. Because nothing is eternal under the moon. Streetetz was an epoch, but first and foremost it was a human epoch. Peace!SEi, 2021
photo
Unknowns (2005)

Balfa BB7 with Marzocchi Super Monster and Big Hit 2007 with Marzocchi Monster T2
Me with Aloe (2012)

bigquotesLong live streetetz!LVN, 2012

The Deep Forest Tales, while controversial, told a story about human lives. SEi (2021) correctly pointed out that streetetz, too, perhaps had different flavors - but the movement was about the people, and how these people interacted in the universe of anthropology.

In retrospective, this movement was probably the most fun we as the Eastern European biking community ever collectively had. It redefined mountain-biking, because it was as untraditional and as anti-sport as it could have possibly gotten.

It originated from a misunderstanding; begun as a trolling of such; but over the years, it became an MTB cult, a religion. As the time went by, and the knowledge was lost, some just started to believe differently; and into slightly different things. What remained unchanged was that at the heart of streetetz was the bike; but it was people who gave it a meaning of its own.

Streetetz is dead. Long live Streetetz.
photo
Repa (2010)

bigquotesWe are filming a first of its kind Ukrainian MTB documentary about oldschool freeride, social problems, and environmental destruction.BipolarExpress, 2021

A screenshot from what we are currently working on, the Tales From Underground (2021)

WHAT'S NEXT?

bigquotesWe gonna film Deathcycles, if you wish. Urban freeride on Super Monster T's, PDCs, and Karpiels; using Phantoms to record Super Monster and Apocalypse bottom-outs, filmed in the decaying suburbs, in the realities of life in the Ukraine.BipolarExpress, 2021
Tales From Underground is a project dedicated to documenting the quickly fading away life. It consists of many smaller projects: movie(s); articles; the Invisible People (hey, 154!) series... all of them coming from the underground scene of MTB.

While conducting interviews and talking to people I suddenly realized that there is a much bigger story to be told. A story that is uncomforting, depressing - but which appears to be the story of life itself, here in Ukraine.

I invite you to enter the void, to join me on an MTB journey to the other side of the world. To a state heavily wounded, but remarkably alive; to a state that is yet to legalize her mountain-biking trails; to a state where 95% of all the trash is still landfilled, and often in forests, equivalent to forests of the beautiful British Columbia; where locals dump their trash by the side of the highway, next to churches; where everything is bought and sold; where corruption is not a per se phenomenon, but rather - a fundamental institute.
photo
PNTRZ Miha (2009)

bigquotesI started filming, but I quickly realized I cannot afford it yet. KEK. I will stick to writing for now, but once I have enough support from the community - I continue to film. Perhaps a teaser or two, soon?BipolarExpress, 2021

photo
Dan Beast's and Wittman's Demo 9s (2010)

bigquotes...In the meantime, while the Tales from Underground are cooking: the Invisible People project. Each consecutive writing piece is a conversation with an extraordinary person. They will then tell you their stories - but they will not reveal their faces. For now.BipolarExpress, 2021

My family thinks I am totally insane, because I've invested an inappropriate amount of time (no, like seriously!) into something I am not even getting paid for. I argued it's for a noble cause, and that I know I can trust Pinkbike on this. They replied I should be more careful, and I shouldn't trust strangers, especially online strangers. Oh well.

I have been secretly filming future movie scenes and conducting interviews: I talked with engineers, anodizers, mechanics, advocates (who happen to freeride), environmentalists, pros, and many others. I invite you to support an underground project that will talk about the gear; about how the philosophies of life and contemporary economics changed over time, and influenced MTB; about life in Ukraine, and other depressing, soul-chilling things. We will also review the unobtainable, most sought-after bikes which happen to be in her possession, drawing the parallel to its modern counterparts. Tips, tutorials, thematic articles such as this one... fun!
photo
LVN and his Cock (2021)

bigquotesWhat happened to that guy on the Richi Hulk? Is he still riding? Is he selling?Maksimilian, 2021

photo
photo
Richi Hulk from Kyiv (2007)

bigquotesUgh. What's the point of discussing the RICHI HULK? The Hulk is self-sufficient. It - exists, and it's a reason good enough for it to exist. Many hate it, many love it - but it's big, it's from aluminium, and it gives zero shits about what someone is writing about it on the forums. I presume that the owner of the frame, too, couldn't care less.vollhala, 2007

So what's next? The first article from the Invisible People Series is, coincidentally, one of the best interviews I ever did. It is an excerpt from a conversation I had during a spontaneous midnight ride. Topics were diverse, were many; but there was one topic in particular that made it special.

Even after all these years, legends about Ukrainian Richi Hulk are exchanged at campfires. Many remember the 230-page forum sagas (yes, there were multiple threads). Some believed Hulk dwelled in a Volga trunk for years. Others - that Hulk was handed over to a pawnshop to wipe away the debt.

Where is it now? Is it true it has mercury bearings? Does it have a 5:1 ratio? What was its point, really? Oh, and can we do a slo-mo of the bottom-out?

Richi Hulk
Richi Hulk from Kyiv (2007)
bigquotesMaksimilian! Too early for a thread like this, the Friday is the day after tomorrow!jeka_kit, 2021

Servicing the NOS Marzocchi Super Monster T. Even NOS things deserve a service once every 20 years.
Filming the Tales From Underground (2022)
bigquotesNext thread: what happened to Kosto? Yeah, let's do another 20 of those, talking about each and every one who ever rode streetetz. You are going in a wrong direction, mate. They all got older, have families now; they work, and live the real life, in the reality. Go find something useful to do.TH0R26 to Maksimilian, 2021

Well, you will soon find out. Perhaps you will find out very soon - now that you know that then depends entirely on you.

I hope you're doing well. If not - then I hope this article shined things up. It also so happens that, during this particular rainy moment, your support is something I need. Things haven't been that sunny.

Find me on Patreon, buy me a coffee. Your donations give me freedom to write, freeride, and document. Oh, and to build the right bikes, the right way.

Merry Christmas. Happy 12022. Happy trails.
-Y.
photo
Seismic Industries 4" hubs, Big Hit, and Monster 2's (2012)
bigquotesShort stories, backstage, exclusives, tutorials - everything and more will be there! Extended streetetz tutorials, tips, behind the scenes, director's cuts, early access... subscribe to my Patreon and OnlyFans (coming 2022) to see more of that 12 inches of travel.BipolarExpress, 2021


Posted In:
Stories


Author Info:
bipolarexpress avatar

Member since Sep 13, 2011
10 articles

178 Comments
  • 93 1
 The first article a year ago or so was the catalyst for me to build a retro DH bike.

I spent a half of a year tying to find a Monster T with 200mm travel but I failed.

I ended up with an 888 RC3 EVO with 38mm legs and an MX damper.

Being an American I either wanted something obscure from Europe or a classy model from SoCal. After failing again to find a B1, Sunn, Ancilotti etc I found a Round Tube Turner DHR with all of its beautiful gussets and machine parts. I polished the hell out of it and made it a mini mullet with 27.5/26. I did the Pro Mod by drilling the linkage mount to lower it to current geo. Wide bars and new brakes, left the rest alone. I have 3 shocks for it so far but no remote reservoir yet!

I raced it last summer and rode the park a bunch here in Utah. The fork is the best I’ve ever ridden and the geo makes it super fun to ride! I get stares in the lift line like I’m from outer space.

Thanks for the inspiration Streetez!
Krispy
  • 6 0
 dude you inspired these people back in the day. go get the big fat fatty fat from suspension syndicate. it would make the russians proud.
  • 3 0
 You're the first person I thought of! Those Karpiels were something else back in the day. Was watching Down the other day, even.
  • 3 0
 Nice! I moved to place with a lot of cliffs a couple years ago and wanted to build a huck bike.
I ended up on a similar route. A Foes Hydro H2 with a Marzocchi 380. Stripped the paint. Collecting 10.5" coil shocks.
  • 5 3
 You can't write up a comment like that without having photos of the bike on your profile. smh.
  • 3 0
 Yo Krispy!

You built a champagne red Banshee Chaparral for me in the early 2000’s. It was my first real mtb and I loved it. Rode it for 10 years. Then a V1 Spitfire, now V3 Rune and Paradox.

Thanks for starting this awesome journey with Banshee!
~Brian
  • 2 0
 @Krispy-at-Go-Ride: The polished Turner looks awesome. I did the same to a nukeproof scalp last year.
m.pinkbike.com/photo/20240703
m.pinkbike.com/photo/21868356
  • 1 0
 @Krispy-at-Go-Ride: duuuuude. That looks freaking sick
  • 1 0
 @therook1110: yooooooooooooooooooo this is shiny AF!! God daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn bruh
  • 1 0
 @DimitarDimitrov: polished frame, fork, cranks, and factory polished brakes. Plus any other part aside from some bolts are gold or anodized red. Needless to say it's got some shine too it
  • 66 1
 Never been much into history, or geo-politics, or reading in general, but your articles have captured my attention and absolutely focused interest like not much else I've found. Towards the end of the article, I was thinking to myself, "man I wish he had a patreon or some kind of donation jar I could throw some money at, to try to make this movie/doc happen", and welp, guess I don't have much of a choice now lol.
  • 8 1
 This is a documentary!
  • 7 3
 He has a patreon. You can find it in his account page
  • 23 0
 I request PB content-filter that ONLY shows me STREETETZ content.
  • 3 0
 @funbox @derekbnorakim: that's what I was referencing with the "guess I don't have much of a choice now" part, lol
  • 2 0
 @thomas1965: Sweet, I wanted to make it easier for people to support instead of having to go to the profile…
  • 9 0
 PB oughta give this man a salary to become this site's "mountain bike historian". Imagine monthly articles detailing the history and culture of this sport. As well as highlights from various international scenes and interviews with the people that anchor those scenes. They would blow this site's regular content out of the water.
  • 49 0
 Meanwhile the future lost 'Chronicles of Squamish MTB Life in 2022' have been found:

'this week I have been creating a spreadsheet to ascertain which is better, the 720w or 900w battery for riding 5 laps of Half Nelson'.

'I planned on riding today but there were a few flecks of dirt on my fanny pack so I had to put it in the wash, and my spare pack isn't colour-matched to the gloves'.

'I bought the latest greatest 15ft long bike, only to find that it's too long to fit in the custom made bike storage compartment in the back of my Sprinter conversion'

Wink
  • 11 0
 LOL nail on the head

"sorry guys i cant ride today, i put the wrong lens in my carbon riding glasses"
  • 7 0
 "Sprintering right out of Squampton". "Get the ENEF off my lawn!" ---oops that's north van ;-)
  • 12 1
 People wonder how I "tolerate" the weight of a modern ebike on the downs. But the person asking the question doesn't understand I spent many days thrashing my Scream with a Monster T and 24x3 Gazzolodis down chairlift runs. A 50lb Bullit with DoubleWides and a couch for a seat. We took crew to Whistler for a week and broke 3 frames hucking to flat off things we had no business riding. We actually called our little crappytastic videos "Light Bikes Break" for exactly this articles reasoning. Wink

I never in my life enjoyed "earning my turns". We drove for hours to get to Whistler or Fernie or Sunpeaks and either rode the chair or shuttled.

I LOVED THIS ARTICLE! So much of my bike life lives in the pictures and the writing. What a trip down memory lane.

I was a clydesdale chairlift bike park junkie, turned miserable climber, turned ebiker who plans his descent on the climb. I'm back to my roots of what was free ride in 1996 without paying for a liftline.
  • 2 0
 @rokdktr: Here here! I don't comment on PB much 'cuz I don't know when to zip it. But this piece is the BEST thing I have ever read on PB. Hands down. Although my formative days were in the 60' and 70's surfing way off the mainstream radar in cold norther waters I have much empathy for the soul of this. If I had been farther inland or near a legit lift served bike park it may have turned out differently...? I love the 'down" part of this sport. Have always been in pain on the 'up' part. I'm sure you would appreciate the shit my young friend Dave and few others do on our e-bikes. The weight issue? Pfffttt! I love the *plant* and still go pretty big for a 71 year old geezer.
  • 37 2
 Best article I have read on here, since like, ever. Great mix of history, pics, and passion. I bet their first aid kits consissted of duct tape, vodka, and a TIG welder. my kind of fellow humans!
  • 30 1
 Who ever wrote boxxer on that super monster has got to be an interesting fella.
  • 5 0
 The other super monster in the corner of that pic is even more, uh ... creative
  • 1 0
 @erg6k: oh wow I never even noticed that at first lol
  • 25 0
 Читаешь все это и думаешь- вот черт разменял уже четвертый десяток и то что единственный на сотни километров с таким байком,идеологией и как же это было давно. Все изменилось,но потом осознаешь что все так же,нужно лишь оглянуться, а одна из тех самых адских повозок стоит за спиной у стены как и в те времена и есть еще дух стритеца. Спасибо автору
  • 6 0
 зарегистрировался, чтобы ответить? я очень ценю.
  • 6 0
 да,не хочу пропустить второе пришествие стритцефера,уже натер хром на монстре для последней битвы)
это лучший контент на пост советском за многие годы
  • 165 0
 Was literally just about to say this
  • 19 0
 @dexterfawkes: great minds think alike
  • 24 1
 Я читал все это сквозь слезы, я вспомнил имена и никнеймы, у меня многие из этих фоток в оригинале... Вспомнил как мы снимали и монтировали видео ВВС Форсе 2003. Как мы придумали название ВВФ ФОРСЕ и стритец. Мне почти 40, я уже меньше катаюсь на велосипеде... но это все еще хардтейл, 150 хода вилки и хуквормы. Моя старая рама Норко 4хьун 2003 все еще лежит у кого-то из людей, упомянутых сдесь)
Я знал что ВВС Форсе с временем стали узнаваемы в мире, в велосипедной среде, благодаря этому сайту. Но я не мог представить себе на сколько...
Большое спасибо автору, всем упомянутым тут и забытым. Всем коментаторам. Хоть что-то в моей жизни можно считать успехом, если у стольких людей это вызывает хорошие воспоминания, эмоции и даже желание двигаться дальше)

Pil_ka gave a link to this article on Instagram: - we are all there!
I read all this through tears, I remembered the names and nicknames (greetings to dirt.ru). I have many of these photos in the original ... I remembered how we filmed and edited the VVC Force 2003 video. How we came up with the name VVC force and streetetz. I'm almost 40, I cycle less now ... but it's still a hardtail, 150 forks and hookworms. My old frame Norko 4hun 2003 is still in the possession of one of the people mentioned here)
I knew that VVC Force over time became recognizable in the world, in the mtb environment, thanks to this site. But I couldn't imagine how much ...
Many thanks to the author, everyone mentioned here and forgotten. To all commentators. At least something in my life can be considered a success if so many people have good memories, emotions and even a desire to move on)
Long live streetetz! -154!
  • 20 1
 Ahhh! Brought back so much memories! Living in Latvia, next to all these crazy riders, it gave me a lot of inspiration. Big double crown fork guys to dig big jumps and make drops, and do crazy stunts in forest. And VVC guys pushed me to get better in park and dirts! Respekt to all these legends, who made eastern European MTB scene as it is today!
  • 18 0
 I remember stumblin on to dirt.ru back in the day and being amazed. It was full of words I didn't understand and photos of places I could never visit but the riding smashed through any language barrier and told it's own story.
  • 23 1
 Literally the best article I have ever read on Pinkbike
  • 8 0
 I'm guessing the biggest,too.
  • 15 0
 This makes the industry and culture of 2021 look shallow and full of sissies in suits. I want to beat my head against a wall for commenting on the water bottle article yesterday
  • 13 0
 PINKBIKE HIRE THIS MAN. Yegor is clearly as gifted a writer as any of your staff and such a talented historian. Mountain biking seriously lacks historians who document any scene besides the top racing/freeride events. What about counterculture? What about rare international riding scenes? If it wasn't for these two articles I would've never known about this scene, and its just as fascinating as any other in our sport. Why are we only talking about the race cars when there are lowriders, donks, slammers and CULTURE out there?
  • 10 0
 Yes, Pinkbike! Hire this man!
  • 12 0
 Turn of the century street riding was so much fun. People casually turning up in jeans in and a t or dressed as a Redman padded suit. Either way, everyone chipped in to get some tank onto a bus shelter so it could be ridden off at no speed by some stoner chav that assumed his Gazalodis and Monster Ts would compensate for no skill. They often did. I direct you to Sprung 1 for some viewing pleasure.
  • 18 3
 NICE! finally something worth reading about
  • 8 1
 Agree 100%! Popped on Pinkbike expecting to be bored by Best of 2021 stuff...
  • 12 0
 @mikelevy we need a podcast just to deal with all of the stuff going on in this article please!!
  • 10 0
 Came here to say this was the best article I’ve read on Pinkbike in years or possibly ever. Glad others thought the same appreciating good journalism, story telling and true culture of mountain biking.
  • 3 0
 It's a great honor to hear this from you.
  • 14 1
 Article of the Year.
  • 8 0
 Целая эпоха. А статья реальный научный труд, собрать все это во едино!
Помню как с dada123 aka back154, сидели на централке и придумали название ввцфорсе) видосы снимали еще на пленочную камеру о поездке в Питер , кассета даже еще осталась ) много чего было, можно книги писать .

Сейчас 90% моих друзей и в целом круг общения, состоит практически полностью из людей, с которыми я познакомился в то время, так так и дожили практически до 2022 ) Спасибо автору , это правда круто проделанная работа .
  • 11 0
 Someone please send this to Jordanov Boostmasterov from ze youtubes.
  • 4 0
 Boostmaster might be the streetetz ambassador: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSzeLwuNWBI
  • 11 0
 Yes I have been talking with them for a while now haha
  • 8 0
 @fjopsys: my approach is different from streetetz though, they were going with full on old school builds, while I am more into combining the old with the new for the best performance while still using certain oldschool parts.
  • 1 0
 @boostmaster: Jordanov Boostmasterov would the term mountenetz be more appropriate
  • 8 1
 I miss those days! I was riding a 2000 Stab Primo. One of my friends had one of those Brooklyn Machine Works bikes with full chromolly frame and Avalanche front and rear suspension. The bike weight in at 62 lbs. Bikes back then were overbuilt and they were tanks. I love the old school bikes.
  • 2 0
 I also remember those days of overbuilt frames, too much travel and people scared of going down a 30cm (one foot in US measurements) drop. Hehe. At least these Russian guys rock it in the riding department.
  • 1 0
 @zonoskar: The Russians have balls to do shit essentially
  • 7 0
 This was the mountain bike version of lookatthisrussuian.

I’ll remember I though it was weird when I sold my Norco Aline it was a Russian dude who was filling a shipping container to ship it back. I wonder what happened to that bike now.
  • 7 0
 THIS... This is content. The quotes just kept getting better and better. To the extent I can't pick a best one. These people are really part of something. That is their own. So good. I wish the title of the article was simply "Size Matters"
  • 12 3
 I'm curious to know how many frames or components come from the Ukrainian theft market in Europe Smile
  • 7 1
 Pretty much all xD
  • 12 1
 That Richie Hulk!!!!!!!
  • 4 1
 That’s what I’m saying!!

It’s the aluminum equivalent of two 2x8 boards with a hinge and a spring, and I love it.

Say what you want about the Grim Donut, but make mine a Richi Hulk!
  • 4 1
 Best looking Huck bike ever imo. The dual rear shock is just *chefs kiss*.
  • 6 0
 хех, был свидетелем всего этого, но никогда не участвовал, такие велосипеды всегда нравились внешне, но на деле были чертовски неудобными Smile
  • 4 0
 Такая же фигня. В те времена я смотрел со стороны, восхищался монструозностью байков, но даже не задумывался о покупке чего-то похожего.
А сейчас смотрю со стороны и такое тёплое чувство ностальгии накатывает!

UPD felt it would be polite to write in a way that English speakers could understand too.
Same. In those days, I looked, admired the monstrousness of bikes, but did not even think about buying something similar.
And today I look and have such a warm feeling of nostalgia!
  • 3 0
 I NOW DAT FILL BRO! )
Тоже лицезрел всё это, в 2005-2008годах )
  • 6 0
 This was a great read. There’s a lot of great insight into what mountain biking really is. I know understand why Henry doesn’t like flight attendant. Lol. But to each there own. There is a place for everything in this sport. Sometimes I think I had way more fun on my old school dh doing skinnies and jumps than I do now with my ultimate tricked out bike.
  • 11 1
 Top pinkbike article of 2021.
  • 9 0
 Delightfully off-brand for Outside! Can we get this guy on site for the next downcountry field test?
  • 6 0
 Yegor doesn't write for PB, he published this article on his own but he really should be on payroll. If there was an article of the year I would so battle for this one to win. PB should hire him as a mountain bike historian of sorts.
  • 6 0
 Я фанатом стритца не был, Скрим с Монстром для меня был реально инструментом для катания) Правда в процессе стало понятно, что 3.0 не нужны, монстр тяжел и скрим в дальнейшем отлично везде справлялся на обычной резине и 888. Но иногда все таки скучаю по тому катку, который четко летел вперед с любого вылета) Спасибо за статью!
  • 8 1
 These articles are insane...in a good way! I actually used to own an Evil Imperial with DC Shivers and Gazzaloddi tyres...am I allowed in? Big Grin
  • 4 0
 One of these guys may well have that bike now. No wonder all the old Marzocchi forks have disappearead from these shores - they've all gone east.
  • 2 1
 @jaame: I parted out the bike. Forks went to a friend, frame went on eBay I think... I do wonder if the frame still gets ridden, or if it's just an art piece for someone now
  • 2 1
 @Tambo: I would love to know too. It would be super interesting to see a Carl Meyer style strack and trace exercise over 20 years with a few bikes instead of sharks.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: it would be simple enough to ID the frame - I drilled a hole in the dropouts for an extra axle position to lower the BB a tad. Would be cool to see where it had been etc, yeah
  • 9 1
 This is pure excellence. All those bikes. Urban free ride, what a time to be alive.
  • 6 0
 Some of these pictures could have been Boston in the early 2000s. So glad to have lived through this crazy mtb era. These articles never disappoint
  • 4 0
 Looking at my 2004 Armageddon with a 2004 Monster Triple, 36 spoke 24 inch Sun Ringlé Doublewide wheel set with Gazzaloddi 3.0’s, Azonic risers with a cross bar, Loveseat, Azonic 3 piece chromo cranks and flat pedals with a MRP chain guide, right now. Cut down Thompson seat post and XTR 9 speed rear mech for some bling, and Hayes nine disc brakes that always felt like they needed a nine inch rotor in the front. 52 pounds of pure pleasure.
  • 4 0
 I can’t quite get my head around what I’m seeing here. It’s like somehow a portal from Ski Plattekill in NY circa 2000 opened up and teleported bikes and culture to Russia. This is spooky. I’m seriously curious about how all of this very niche gear made its way to Russia - Seismic hubs? Tons of Shimano Airlines kits?! A Brooklyn Rubber Duck?!(WTF), a boatload of Monster Ts? It seems legitimately curious and suspect to me. Regardless, thanks for carrying the torch of the late 90s/early 2000s east coast free ride scene.
  • 7 1
 Here's to the mountainbike equivalent of stancing! Cheers to the neighbours in the north! Wink
  • 4 0
 Nice analogy, maybe I'd also go with bosozoku. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @adam102: I have a full opinion on that, but I'm not sure people want to read it. :-D
  • 3 0
 Ps сегодня утром Игорян Руднев сказал по другой теме, но подошло и сюда )

"...тех кто 15-20 лет назад положил свою молодость и здоровье на то чтоб хоть какая то велосипедная культура сформировалась "
  • 3 0
 Epic article! During this vintage, I had a GT DH-I with a Boxxer and had one of the smaller bikes amongst my buds. Super T, Monster T forks and VPS, Specialized, Kangaroo, ChumbaWumba and FOES frames. One buddy was super pimp with an inverted White Bros fork on a BigHit with custom linkage for more travel. Back when Silverstar was accessed by the old green 2 person lift, with the bike strapped between the stem and seatpost, dangling from the hook on the front of the chair. After breaking the DHI's rear triangle for the third time after being repaired twice previous, I retired the frame and got into an 03 Demo 9 and brought all my parts over. Over time, buddies had Intense, Stab Primo, Azonic, and Balfas - and I upgraded to a Team DH w 888WC, ROCO WC. Such good times in the 2000's.
  • 7 0
 a trip to my memories...
  • 5 0
 Happy Sailing, Pavel
  • 1 0
 @bipolarexpress: i still want mz monster)
  • 3 0
 @bipolarexpress: у Талы кока не было (Tala and his Cock(2010)) у него даже на фотке видно что это прожектиль
  • 6 0
 Vilke hody, stakany svobody!
  • 2 0
 Hmm. So they shout out catch phrases like "freedom!" "Ride your own way!" "Do what you want!" : Send it your way!" But then the bike criteria to get into this club is very specific...
Sounds like 99% of 'freedom movements' available to the human being these days.

Cool bikes though!
  • 2 0
 So happy to have witnessed this with my eyes. I was too young to take part in the craziest parts of it, but I did crack several cheap forks trying to look up to the monsters of streetetz. Fondly remember lucky, Dino, manifesto and others from the Kiev gang.
  • 1 0
 Also, TIL xbikers is still alive. And it looks exactly as it did 15 years ago
  • 6 1
 Oh Yegor Facepalm I love you!!! This is amazing.
  • 5 0
 Стритец сила!!!
  • 5 1
 I really enjoyed that article, so cool. Wish I kept my Norco Aline with the Monster T just to jump on every once in a while.
  • 5 0
 perfect time, no garmins, fox live, etc. pure ride
  • 2 0
 This brings be back to all the fun times, when I had time to ride bikes everyday and so did my friends, dropping to flat off things that shouldn't have been ridden. I miss those years...
  • 1 0
 Success was measured in how many zipties or shock bolts exploded off your bike upon landing.
  • 1 0
 Man I forgot about my 2009 specialized big hit 2 ..I had for 3 months but I blew the suspension out jumping off 10 foot cliffs pretty much to flat and the local bike shop let me trade it in for 2010 Specialized Demo ..and with that i also started the local shops DH race program .shop name is Bikeway
  • 2 0
 well, nice piece of history, but I wonder how many of these bikes and parts took a long route stuffed in an old van from a DH race or a bikeshop somewhere in Western Europe...you know what I mean... Smile
  • 5 0
 Those were great days! I wish pinkbike was only this.
  • 1 0
 im a very trully happy that i own a pair of Bomber Triple ( i hate calling them monster it too cheesy )

on a my devinci Wilson FR

all that for 500$ !!!!


also i own a Foes Mono DHS 2001 i could pair them up .....
  • 3 0
 Thank you for the article ))) really brings back all the warm feelings of that time. Dirt.ru introduced me to the cycling and enlightened my mind )
  • 2 0
 This is content worthy of the old Pinkbike, no nonsense about which professional athlete signed with what company, just good ole mountain biking history with a dash of wierd mixed in. Nice stuff!
  • 2 0
 Спасибо воспоминания, у меня внутри чувство что я вернулся назад. Помню это время и фото с журналов)) Очень круто)
  • 1 0
 I had never heard of dirt.ru or streetetz, but holy shit this resonates so deep with how I love bikes. I love smaller bikes with smaller wheels, tall handlebars, big rotors, big brakes, a ton of travel and super heavy parts that don't break, and I ride around in a flat forest in the city with my seatpost all the way down. And yes, nobody in my area wants to ride with me. But wow, seeing this Russian scene is so incredible, please pinkbike put up @bipolarexpress's stuff! Subscribed to the patreon. And this is another reason I need to learn russian.. And shoutout to Craig Seekins, he is my hero.
  • 3 0
 Много готина статия браво момчета monster forever
  • 5 0
 Can't wait for the film!
  • 6 2
 This is nothing short of fascinating.
  • 3 0
 I used to roll like this when I was a younger man. m.pinkbike.com/photo/14615916
  • 5 0
 moto is moto
  • 4 0
 No matter how it looks - this is our history Smile
  • 6 2
 "Other components don't matter at all."

Best advice I've ever read.
  • 4 0
 I would rock that Nicolai
  • 4 1
 Retro stuff looks wicked as hell. But man is it ever shit to ride to today's standards.
  • 2 0
 Lowriders aren't performance vehicles but what they lack in speed they more than make up for in style and cultural relevance. I'd say this is the mountain biking equivalent.
  • 2 0
 I mean, two-piston brakes are good enough as long as they are Magura Gustav, right? Asking for a friend.

The best reading this year along with the first part.
  • 3 0
 Lots of booze,crazy riding,bj'ing grips,calling bikes cocks,only in russia..oldschoolcool
  • 3 0
 Great article. In my experience the sun-ringle double wide rims were not very strong. Arrow Racing rims were much stronger.
  • 4 0
 necrofreerider looks pretty scary :-0
  • 2 0
 This article isn't making me feel any better about giving that nos 26x3" gazzy away... Luckily I have a freshly rebuilt shiver to help
  • 2 0
 I miss the good old days of BOSTON BIKE BATTLE. Still have my NICOLAI 2MXTB frame. Miss the complete sometimes. And definitely miss my old LAMBDA.
  • 4 0
 This is the best article I’ve seen on PB In a long time.
  • 1 0
 These articles are fucking awesome! I picked up one of those old BigHit last year and have been figuring out what I want to do with it. This absolutely has given me the inspiration and ideas of what to do!
  • 2 0
 If the legs are fat , even if they’re wide apart 3 won’t fit in the back .
  • 2 0
 That was such a rad read. Reminds me of when mountain biking was all about crazy sends with friends.
  • 3 0
 Thus artical is longer then the travel on those bikes
  • 4 1
 Well this was interesting
  • 3 0
 *scours pinkbike buysell for monster ts*
  • 3 0
 I feel like a ZZYZX would fit in
  • 4 0
 Worst fork ever but looked amazing! 45mm forks legs were bigger than the KYB’s on my CR250 MX bike!
  • 1 0
 shit i temember those i saw 1 at my local bike store where they also sell Foes bike with Azonic too !!!
  • 1 0
 @NickBit: indeed they are
  • 2 0
 great love from Ukraine! We've got here a great mtb culture based on it roofs Yegor is a big fan of it! Big hug man
  • 3 0
 This is the only mtb scene that even matters.
  • 2 1
 This is great! Riding since 30+ Years, this is making me goinig into the Basement, to see what is hiding there...
  • 2 1
 This is as amazing as the first part! 3 And JIB is one of the most influential movies ever
  • 4 1
 because moto
  • 1 0
 a real time capsule thanks for that It pushed me to go through my old pink bike pictures...
  • 2 0
 Necrofreerider, sending all the evil stuff! \m/
  • 3 2
 I’ve finally gotten my hands on a Shiver and a Monster T2. On the hunt for a Super Monster and a Dorado now!
  • 1 0
 This has inspired me to get the old azonic eliminator out and completely rebuild it.
  • 1 0
 this is one of my fav articles ive read in quite some time lol loved it. brings back memories!!!
  • 3 1
 Overforking bikes before overforking bikes was cool.
  • 2 0
 Nekrofreerider is my fucking hero
  • 2 1
 can you fit a water bottle ?
  • 2 0
 In the spokes according to the pictures. LOL
  • 6 4
 Tldr
  • 4 0
 "Home of the Super Monster T - Another Look Inside the Eastern European Vintage Freeride Scene"
  • 1 0
 If only this level of analysis was put into that fastest bike article
  • 1 0
 I threw my back back working on an Evil Imperial once.
  • 1 0
 I see one Monster T for sale on eBay rn. It's in Chico, CA for $600
  • 1 0
 Thats a bargain!
  • 3 2
 most exceptional read. one of the best reads I’ve found on bike culture.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely love these articles.
  • 2 0
 "stritzenwagen" lol
  • 1 0
 Woh yeah, Rad bike with a BadRadAss Dude.
  • 2 0
 Brilliant!
  • 1 0
 Also suspicious is the complete lack of Santa Cruz Super 8s….
  • 2 1
 Amazing piece!
  • 2 2
 Can't get enough of this. More please!!!
  • 2 1
 LEGENDS!!!
  • 1 0
 The good ol days.
  • 1 0
 Respect
  • 1 0
 Super cool!
  • 1 0
 Photo from Zhitomir 2014
  • 4 4
 Wild Russians....
  • 13 0
 Cheers, my Austrian friend!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.064498
Mobile Version of Website