Deception of the Masses
Saturday, February 27, 1999. ABA "King of Dirt" Round 3.Ontario, Cal. -TJ, an 8 pack and ATi. |
---ATi advertisement---
After throwing on his first pair of Pistols, Lavin knew, that no one else had a chance!
The ABA "King of Dirt" Round 3 crown was his.
---ATi advertisement---
Wow, what a picture this ad paints. I wonder how many ten year old dirt jumpers with
X's in their eyes ran out and bought a good supply of ATi Pistol Grips so they too could
learn big superman seatgrabs, tailwhips, and all of the other moves that TJ does on his
gold Specialized that bring home all of the cash flow.
I guarentee you that all of the kids who did this, and all of the kids who will do this as
long as this ad runs will be disapointed.
Before you start preparing your hate mail, let me clarify acouple things.
I have nothing against TJ Lavin whatsoever.
He is an incredible dirt jumper, and obviously
does some things right.
Also, I have nothing against ATi.
For all I know they are just as fine a grip manufacturer as anyone else.
The ATi ad was simply an illustration for a big, scary trend
in freestyle journalism today.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but grips absolutley do not enable you to do any
tricks that you can't do with other ones.
TJ won the "King of Dirt" because of talent and practice, not because his grips
were designed by 4 time ABA number one pro, and current mountain bike kook,
"Pistol" Pete Loncravich.
Let me assure you that if that were the case I would probably be doing some demo in a
third world country for Mountain Dew myself, not sitting here writing this.
The simple fact is, all grips are the same.
(at least until Standard comes up with one with a lifetime guarantee)
Pick the one with the tread you like and go with it.
Personally I prefer the "swirling zagnut" of Jive grips, but that's just me.
In 1999 advertisers depend on the name of riders to sell bikes and components, not the
quality of the product.
And in 1999 the average 20" bike rider between the ages of 10-13 will fall for it.
It's not right but it's the way it is.
There is however a way to get around it.
Don't be fooled....
Read
between the lines....
Think
for yourself!
TJ Lavin won the ABA King of Dirt for the first time in 1995.
Then, he rode for Herda's Hotshots, and though I have no proof I would say that he was not
on the ATi flow list.
He was a rad rider then, and he is
now.
It isn't because he's on a Schwinn that Jay Miron does 540 tailwhips.
It's because he has ridden for years and continues to push freestyle's limits much the
same as he did in 1990 when he rode for Bully.
Available in red, black, blue, yellow, or clear- deception of the masses is up for the taking.
Protect yourself.
rodney bowcock
self help bike co.