Jonny Mackellar: S&M ATF XL Frame

Jonny is family, but that is not the only reason he belongs here. He can ride trails, bowls, street and strange DIY spots with the same loose, powerful style. He also digs, helps at events and gives back to the scene rather than just turning up for a clip. Progression is easy to judge by the biggest trick, but that is only one part of a rider's story. Showing up, helping with the spot, riding with the crew and keeping the next generation keen matters just as much. BMX scenes survive because people put time into them when there is no trophy, camera or free product involved. That is especially true around local dirt jumps and small events, where a few reliable people can be the difference between something growing and disappearing. We rate the riding, obviously, but we also rate the effort around it. Seeing family, mates and different generations sharing the same session is the part that makes BMX feel like more than another sport. Jonny Mackellar also makes a good case for watching full sections instead of judging riders from one short clip. A proper part shows the pace, the choices and the way the riding fits together. That is where style becomes obvious. It is not one pose or one trick. It is the decisions that keep turning up from the first clip to the last.

S&M ATF XL Jonny Mackellar Frame. His Termite colourway pulls the red and yellow from his van. The frame is the taller, stretched-out ATF XL, not a whole new Jonny-only geometry. A frame is the part that sets the basic mood of the whole bike. A few millimetres at the rear end, a slightly different head angle or a bit more room up front can completely change how it behaves. Short and steep can feel lively. Longer and calmer can feel far better once the speed comes up. Neither direction is automatically right. The point of a signature frame is that the choices should make sense for the rider behind it. That does not mean everybody needs to copy the exact setup. It means the product has a reason to exist beyond a colourway and a name on the sticker. We like signature gear most when you can watch the rider and understand the product without needing a massive sales pitch. That is the case here. The link between the riding and the setup is clear. Whether it belongs on your bike comes down to fit, feel and what you actually ride. Watch: Jonny Mackellar - Welcome to S&M Hero photo: Tyson Jones-Peni / Back Bone BMX.