Nathan Williams: Cinema Williams Tyre

Nathan has been at the sharp end of street BMX for a long time. His riding is fast, smooth and heavy without ever looking messy. He can fit huge tricks into proper lines, which is a different level of control from simply doing one big thing for the camera. BMX moves quickly and has never been especially good at sitting still, but that does not mean every old idea needs replacing. Some riders leave a mark because the riding, the bike setup or the way they carried themselves became part of how BMX looked for everyone after them. That sort of influence is hard to measure with a contest result. It shows up years later in the bars people choose, the lines they try and the clips they still go back to watch. Keeping those names and products around is not about pretending nothing has changed. It is about recognising where the good stuff came from and why riders still care about it now. There is no need to turn it into a motivational speech. Nathan Williams is simply very good at riding a BMX in a way that feels unmistakably personal. That is harder than it sounds. The tricks matter, but the way they are used is what gives the riding a bit of life and keeps people coming back for the next video.

Cinema Williams Tyre. Nathan's signature tyre is a big 2.5-inch street tyre with a smooth continuous centreline and micro-knurled side tread. Tyres change more of the bike than people give them credit for. Width, casing, tread and pressure all affect grip, speed and how harsh the ground feels. A smooth park tyre, a dirt-focused tread and a big street tyre can all be good, just for different jobs. The useful part of a signature tyre is seeing what the rider needed from that contact patch. It might be predictable grip, lower rolling resistance or enough volume to take the edge off rough spots. The sensible move is still to match the tyre to where you ride, check the clearance on your frame and fork, and run a pressure that suits the surface. 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. Nathan Williams'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. Watch: DIG BMX Setup - Nathan Williams Hero image: video still via Cinema BMX.