Conversing With Wonka
I’m sure almost everyone that tricks on a fixed gear knows who you are, but go ahead and introduce yourself anyway.
My name is Edward LaForte. I’m from Staten Island New York, and I’m 20 years old.
I know you’ve said it before, but why fixed, not BMX?
Umm, one man moving machine, period.
Hah good answer. Do you even own a BMX bike?
Yes I do I have a FBM Howler all laced up, but I recenly passed it off to my 10 year old brother.
So, on the subject of BMX, do you think that with all of this progression our bikes are going to end up nothing like track bikes and more like big bmx bikes?
Well, that’s already happened. Take a look at the top rider’s bikes; 40c or above, BMX
cranks, half link chains, yeah we’ve gone there already.
I want know about a bit about your bike. What size tires, gearing, how wide are you bars? I heard you run really short crank arms too.
I run 160 profile cranks on my BMX bike and my fixed. I never cut my bars and I run 39/15 with 47c tires.
Those are some big tires. The Kilroy fits them pretty easily?
You can fit up to like 52/53 on the Kilroy. The back end is WIDE!
That Kilroy seems pretty solid. You’re on a production model now, right?
Numero uno.
Nice. It’s been holding up well huh?
BOMB PROOF GUSSETLESS.
They’re pretty expensive though, you think a lot of people are going to get behind them?
I know a few people have ordered one. I mean, you pay for what you’re getting. It’s all Columbus tubing specially made for what wer’e doing and the bike’s beautiful.
You were in Tokyo recently, correct? I see a lot of strange looking set ups and some really fast riding going on over there. What do you think about the Japanese style?
I think there riding style is really cool, but they need to take it off the ground more.
About style…A lot of fixed riders just copy what everyone else is doing. Are you working on anything that hasn’t been seen yet? Any new lines?
Just watch Death Pedal 2. I’ll keep my lines to myself.
Ha, fair enough.
It seems like some people are only into one type of riding. I feel like it’s important to have a diverse style that’s a mix of BMX inspired riding and riding that uses the fixed drivertrain. What do you think?
I think all of the riding is fixed drive train. Everything is inspired from something. F*ck a diverse style I’m gonna do whatever I feel feels good.
I see a lot of kids getting props for hitting tricks that are way sketchy. You think they deserve it? Even if the trick is new/fresh?
No trick is fresh until you land it fresh. Don’t put it out if you land all wobbly.
It seems like a lot a of the big names in the ‘sport’ have been getting away from the fakie side of riding. What about you? What do you think about it?
I never rode fakie and I’ve been saying fuck riding backwards, shit is weak!
Is there anyone that you look up to for their riding? Who are your favorite fixed freestyle dudes?
Um, I started a while ago so I guess my friends. Tom Lamarche, Sam Miller and my best friend Torey. I dont really look up to anyone. Oh hell yeah, and Tyler Johnson
The Banks are closing soon right? You ride there a lot?
I ride everywhere in NY a lot
That’s good. Riding just one spot would get boring. What’s your favorite type of stuff to ride?
Handrails
Yeah? You’ve hit some?
Just two, but recently I’ve figured some things out so you’ll see a lot more, pegless.
That’s awesome. Do you grind driveside?
Yessir, righty
Me too. It’s weird for me to think of a pegless driveside grind on a rail.
You’ll see.
Will I see it in DP2?
Nope. Maybe in a Wrahw exclusive.
What do you think the 2010 holds for fixed freestyle? What do you want to see in 2010?
Road trips, make new friends and have a great time.
Any shout outs or thanks you want to give?
CHARI AND CO, THE ILLEST ONLINE SHOP/SHOP ON THE PLANET.
Good interview guys!
And in regards to the second to last question: Bring yo ass to Midwest Mayhem foo! You and Torey better go. Get John to go too.
i ordered one 1 month ago, but it hasnt arrived yet. I look forward in riding it.
Nice Interview !!!
He is an interesting character. I saw him in Japan out front of W-Base throwing bars with Tom last year. Definately a focused dude and thats inspiring shit to watch.
Interview questions need to be a bit more insightful though…Sounds too conversational with not much room for the guy to talk about interesting stuff.
More Fakie Less Forwards! If riding fakie is weak then why ride Fixed at all? You can go much bigger and much smoother on a freewheel… and if commuting on a bmx is your concern then do tricks on a brakeless 26 or 29er or something… Brakeless Bmx’ers race those bikes around Manhattan all the time. I am sure you could ride a faster freewheel brakeless… and do tricks on it.
No disrespect to Wonka (even tho there seems to be some serious disrespect toward everyone who enjoys riding fakie or doing spinning tricks), but 2 things really get at me with this comment.
1. I feel like comments like this put a cap on the direction of the sport. Tyler Johnson is one of the sickest riders because he does just about EVERYTHING. and he finds a good balance between the fakie, the spinny, and the big shit.
I feel like the biggest names in the sport are noticed because they do their own thing, and fuck the rest. They are creative with how they ride. Some choose not to ride fakie so they push it oneway. others simply have an eye for creative lines. some just have mad skills all around. Guys I really think you just need to push whats good for YOU. What is ‘weak’ is not doing what you think is fun.
2.Riding fixed is fun because it has unique opportunities for tricks that freewheels don’t. Riding fakie is one of them. We should be more creative and push the tricks that other bike can’t do.
But anyway, I’m not trying to get people to sensor their opinions or anything. There is a reason why 700cmx is interviewing Wonka and not me. He is a straight Killa on the Gorilla, and i have serious respect for him. I am sure he could give a fuck about what I think anyway. But since opinions are floating around I thought I would give mine. I’m sure I painted a target on myself with this one…
Edit:
Thanks Mark. Sorry I had to add this. I want clarify my point. It’s not so much about wanting him to ride fakie or about diversifying anyone’s riding. I think riders should push their strengths. Whatever they may be.
I guess the main reason I posted that comment was because of my general disappointment with that attitude and the needless disrespect. I think we get enough of if from the rest of the bike community. He doesn’t owe it to anyone to be polite or supportive about other styles, but that talk just reminds me of thecomeup. Unnecessary…
My last point… Aren’t all bikes “one man moving machines” (with exception to Tandems)? If it’s about eliminating extras (brake, cables, gears) then why not ride a singlespeed freewheel brakeless? Especially if you are about moving forward and not backwards… Nigel Silvester doesn’t have any trouble stopping his brakeless bmx. He just wears out the rubber on his shoe rather than the rubber on his tires.
I think the phrase “it’s fun” is a good enough reason to do tricks on ANY bike. No need to diss other styles.
Anyway… this is enough opinion for one day and one person.
Stopping a brakeless bmx is nothing like stopping a road/track frame. Most of the time you can easily bail off of it no problems.
holy keyboard warrior
i love you and chill. i hate on riding backwards because its not that cool and i cant do it ..hate on it mainly because its something i could never do but if i could do it i wouldnt be riding around in circles in parking lots id be hopping 180 onto ledges and fullcabing off high off shit. thats clip worthy stop getting so but hurt this is a conversation.
this is awesome i love how the internet lets us from all over the states/world talk about this, in away its helping evolve the sport. my opinion on all of this is just RIDE HOW YOU WANT AND RIDE WHAT YOU WANT. as long as your riding a bike your the bomb with me. big ups wonka keep killin it.
Yo Wonka, you suck fucking dick.
Learn to ride fakie, then talk to us.
You immature little fuck.
Learn to type too you fucking retard.
jeeez haha
You’re gay. LOLZ.