Dave Krone: S&M Sand Bar

Dave rides with a smooth, flowing style that looks closer to surfing than forcing tricks onto a spot. He finds lines, carries speed and lets the bike move underneath him. It is a simple idea, but very few riders make it look that natural. Being good on one kind of BMX setup is hard enough. Being able to turn up at different spots and still look comfortable is another level. Street, park, dirt and bowls all ask different things from the rider, and the bike never feels exactly the same once the speed or shape changes. The best all-round riders do not look like they are switching personalities every time the terrain changes. Their style carries through it. That range keeps BMX interesting and usually makes for a better session too, because the rider is looking at the whole place instead of waiting for one perfect obstacle. It is a properly useful kind of skill, even if it is harder to package into one neat label. You can pull the riding apart and talk about difficulty all day, but the simple version is better: Dave Krone makes BMX look good. Not polished for the sake of it and not serious for no reason. Just confident riding with enough personality that the clips still feel like somebody, not everybody.

S&M Sand Bar. Dave's signature bar is 9.25 inches high and 29 inches wide. Bars are a simple-looking part that riders can be unbelievably fussy about. Rise changes the front-end height, width changes leverage and the sweep affects how the wrists and shoulders sit on the bike. Even a small change can make manuals, hops or landings feel different. That is why signature bars are usually more personal than they first appear. The shape reflects what the rider has become comfortable with after years of riding. It is still worth comparing the numbers with your current bars before changing anything. A setup that feels perfect to one rider can feel completely wrong to somebody with a different build or style. If you are thinking about changing your setup, compare the actual measurements and compatibility first. A product can be excellent and still be wrong for your bike. Dave Krone's build is a good look at one end point, but the best setup for you is the one that feels right once the session gets going. It is also worth remembering that style is not something you can order with the parts. It comes from time on the bike, the spots available and the way a rider chooses to use them. The gear can help the bike feel right, but the interesting bit still has to come from the person holding the bars. Watch: Dave Krone - Black Sand Hero image: S&M Black Sand video still.