Elementary photo

Here is another angle of the Elementary stem on Jim's bike.

Also, if you head over to http://www.bmxonline.com/bmx/features/article/0,15737,690528,00.html there is a cool little interview with Matt Beringer.

Elementary Stem

Concept and engineering by George French. Designed and manufactured by Odyssey BMX. US and foreign utility patents are pending.

- One bolt simultaneously locks the handlebars and steerer tube into place.

- Available with or without Gyro tabs.

- Replaceable hardware and internal components.

- Forged and machined 2014 aluminum main U-Frame.

- Extruded and machined 2014 aluminum inner components.

- 8 ounce weight.

- 50 mm reach.

- Black anodized finish.

- 8 mm allen wrench included.

- Available in late 2004.

Your questions answered;

1."Why the secrecy?" Contrary to public opinion, the stem was not covered "to keep other companies from stealing it." The stem has an abnormal configuration that evolved through three basic prototypes. Covering the stem allowed us to work at our own pace, keeping the pressure to deliver off of the people involved with creating and selling our products - namely our distributors, our shops and ourselves. It needed to be ride tested without people questioning its availability date, so the box was used, and a lot of imaginations wandered. "How different can it be?", was the question heard the most often. Now you finally know.

2. "Isn�t that going to slip?" It has been repeatedly tested on virtually every possible fork and bar brand combination and ride tested for a year or more. It doesn�t slip.

3. "One bolt? Isn�t it hard to adjust the bars and stem at the same time?" It seems like it would be, but it�s actually easier. Only one bolt needs to be turned to clamp the bars and fork at the same time. The bolt takes an 8 mm allen wrench, so there�s no reason to be concerned about damaging that part either. It�s strong, and if you ever manage to strip the bolt or nut for some reason, all of the hardware is replaceable.

4. "Why does it look so strange?" You�ve probably never seen anything like it, so of course it looks strange. "Form follows function" is a motto repeated everyday in design and architecture schools around the world. This configuration couldn�t be a better example of form following function. In fact, it could be argued that its simplicity actually makes the traditional "block of aluminum stem" look strange.

5. "It�s like half the weight of a normal stem, so isn�t it weaker?" No, this is not a weaker lightweight alternative to the traditional part it�s replacing. It�s a full strength, full 50 mm reach, fully functioning stem that just happens to be half the weight of the "traditional" version. This was accomplished by rearranging and redesigning the stem�s assembly configuration.

6. "Why isn�t it a "drop" stem?" Drop stems are leftover from a time period when the only handlebars available were 8" or higher. In 2004 there are literally hundreds of bar sizes to choose from. This stem allows you to run shorter bars, ultimately saving weight in that area of the bike also. Combine the Elementary Stem with Civilian Low Bars and a Race Fork and you�ve shaved well over 1 lb. of weight (or even more) from the front end, and that�s without any significant sacrifice in strength.

7. "How much does it cost?" It will be in the same price range as a "normal" stem.

Shops with pedals

Albes, Dans Comp, Empire BMX and Staff BMX* have their Limited Editon Shop
Pedals.

*Staff only has yellow version, green version in a few weeks.

Back in action

Everyone is back in the office today. So if you were waiting for responses from Chris, Nuno, or I, we will try to get to them today.

In other news...
Adam Banton just came back from the latest MSS contest and is preparing for the Front Brake Revolution in England.

Gary Young is going up to the Metro Jam tomorrow via road trip in the Odyssey van. Brandon Turner, Chris Meyers, and Ryan Fudger are some that will be going along also.

Jimmy Levan is in Louisville runnin Metal and riding the park.

KC Badger is in Az, riding with Ryan Sher filming for the new Kink Video.

What do Adam, Gary, Jimmy, and KC(and me) have in common?

I will give you one hint.

Shop Pedals

Ultra-Limited edition Shop Pedals.
JC pedals calaborations with Shops.
These are ONLY available from thier respective shops.

listed in order of photo:
Staff- JDeere kelly green
Staff- JDeere safety yellow
Albes- VW Reflex yellow(pale yellow/green)
Dans- neon orange
Empire- fire-engine red

Coming soon...
I'm not going to tell you when.

Glow in the Dark! Dirt Path too..

The New Limited Edition JC pedal is here!
Glow in the Dark. Yeah, I said Glow in the Dark. Maybe your mom will change your curfew till after dark now. We can only hope.
Dirt Path is here also. We couldn't get those to glow in the dark, so they are just Black.
Shipping next week to distributors, then onto the shops.
Now go heckle your local shops until they get their shipment.

Adam Banton's Second CD

Adam's Second album has been released, and I think we are the first to have copies. 7 tracks, and 3 bonus tracks. Produced and collaborated by TJ Lavin. Keepin it in BMX, thats what I like to hear. Go to the online store to get your copy.
http://store.odysseybmx.com/

Mike Aitken Bike Check 8/04

The X Games ride of Bernell.

frame- Fit S2i AITKEN (chocolate)
fork- Fit
bars- Fit
stem- Fit
headset- Campy Internal
levers- Monolever Medium
saddle- shadow
seatpost- Fit
clamp- Odyssey GI
rims- Odyssey SevenKA/36 hole Front and Rear (HBK)
hubs- Odyssey Vandero front. Odyssey cassette rear (hollow axle/ 10 t driver)
sprocket- 28T Fit
cranks- Odyssey 41 thermal cranks
chain- generic black
pedals- Odyssey Jim C. signature (Sealed, Mag)
brakes- Odyssey Evolver
pads- Odyssey ABrake
tires- Odyssey 2.125 Overbite(F) 1.85 Path (R)
pegs- no pegs
cable- Odyssey Linear Slic
grips- Fit longneck

Xgames

It was the normal crazyness that is the X games. Kind of lame showings from some of the "top" guys, but still interesting none the less. Congratulations to Gary and Mike for riding awesome(like always). Gary had different lines than anyone else, and rode really fast(did I need to tell you that?). Mike would have won gold in the highest air/best style event, if there was one(again, did I need to tell you that?) If I am not mistaken, I think Gary and Mike were the only ones doing tricks off the Ski Jump take off in dirt(tailwhip/360 respectively). But you all saw this LIVE on espn, or ABC, or something. If you didn't, it will be replayed till next year.

Gary Young: Park 4th place, Dirt 4th place.
Mike Aitken: Dirt 6th place.

The best thing about the Xgames is the parties. Taj is the Best! Taj H. that is.

Liz(camera shy) Jim, Julie

Jim, TAJ!, Mike, Adam, Buddendeck, Mike Vincent

Jim and Adam hanging with Paris Hilton(camera shy)

Gary and Sarah

Shannon Elizabeth Rides BMX.

JIM C/PEDAL

photo:puck