Edwin Delarosa Gets a Signature S&M
There’s a handful of BMX riders, no matter how little they might ride currently, that should always have at least 1–2 signature products, whether it’s a frame, handlebars, or small components.
Your list might vary from mine, but at the top, I’d put Mat Hoffman. And he’s pretty much making this possible through Hoffman Bikes and the Condor frame, his signature frame of the past 32 years.
Next up demonstrates my flatland bias, Kevin Jones. Considered the Godfather of modern day flatland, Jones invented much of the techniques and positions still being done today. Kevin may not be out riding every day anymore, but Hoffman Bikes reissued his classic frame, the Big Daddy, just a few years ago, and it was amazing to see the frame reissued for someone that truly deserves it.
Mike Aitken: Aitken doesn’t have a signature frame or complete currently from Fit, but he has had both in the past, and Fit still offers his signature stem.
Brian Foster: Same exact scenario as Mike Aitken, and respect to Fit for even caring to manufacture the signature stem of a 52-year-old physical therapist from New Jersey.
Dennis McCoy: As one of the only ’80s pros to transcend generations and still blow minds in his late 50s, I would love to see a signature frame or bike from Haro still. I know he’s had them in the not-too-distant past, but from the looks of Harobikes.com, I think they’re mostly concentrating on lower end intro bikes, in addition one Bob Haro signature Freestyler complete.
I could go on and on (I have many more names), but the sad truth is, the BMX market is small and giving signature products to older riders that aren’t pushing out regular clips on Instagram probably isn’t what the young market is seeking, despite how much respect it may give the brand.
This week in particular, I’ve been pondering the above list, as S&M released a new Edwin Delarosa color way of Mike Hoder’s BTM frame. Not exactly a signature frame, but still huge respect to S&M for putting Edwin’s name on an American-made frame, over a decade after releasing the Fited frame.
Edwin is also on my list of riders that should always have signature products. He still has an Animal grip, and even though we don’t see too much footage out of him currently, he essentially pioneered what it means to be a modern day urban street rider.
When he arrived on the scene, the BMX scene was still in the height of fufanus on back rails and chain wallets. Edwin showed the BMX world that East Coast BMX riding was its own flavor, and his classic video parts that are reaching the 20-year-old mark still stand the test of time.
Honestly, I was under the impression that Edwin was kinda over riding. Seeing S&M release a frame bearing his name gives me hope that we might see just one effortless feeble to hard 180 from Edwin in 2023, and I’ll leave it at that.
