Brooklyn Machine Works Gangsta, opinions?
 

Anyone ever ridden one of these suckers. I dig the chunky aesthetic they've got going on, and I think they'd make a mean street bike. Way heavy as well I'm guessing.

I'd be keen to hear if anyone's ridden one? How's the weight? Is the geometry aggressive enough, or does it have that relaxed feel to it? Are they stiff (4130 Cro-Mo? I don't know anything about materials)?

So yeah, who owns or has ridden one?

I've ridden one. They are pretty nice. Relatively light. I'd say the weight is comparable to any other mid-range steel frame (bareknuckle, etc) Talked with one of the guys who builds them, they are straight-gauge 4130, but it is a thinner tubing than the straight-gauge BMX/MTB stuff. It's pretty difficult to weld that thin stuff properly. They tweak the design a little bit all the time.

Geometry is nice. It's just really nice. I was lucky and the one I test rode was just about exactly my size, but it was very responsive fun. Stiffer than a fuji track... I've never really ridden an AL tarck bike, so I coldn't compare it to that.

If you like that look, save yourself a couple of hundred dollars and get a Langster.

AL.

i own one. got the frame a few weeks ago and it is all built except for the cranks. (waiting on a set of Paul cranks). I had it painted olive green and all my components are black. When it gets finished, I'll post pics. If you like it, buy it. there are those that will say it is not worth the money but you should ride what you like, not what everyone says you should like.
I'm sure I'll get ranked on by a few when I post pics, but that's okay. I liked it, I wanted one so I bought one. It is sweet.

These things are just ugly.
End of story.
They cant even make it look good then why buy it? Seriously.
That's the easy part of making a bike frame, right?

Aside from the sloping top-tube, what does it visually have in common with a langster?

absolutely nil.

It's ugly.

i don't think Sect asked if you thought is was ugly, he just asked some questions on weight and geometry. I think from previous posts we all know that some think the BMW frame is ugly. If you think is ugly fine. If you've got some personal knowledge of the frames weight and geometry to answer the question then give it, otherwise, pipe down.

i had a dream last night i bought one. i've been harassing luke at bmw to give me a frame and he says as soon as i'm good at tricks like tom its mine. uggg, i am just going to save up for one

Huh? No one asked him that.

No YOU pipe down.
Did you even read the topic of the thread? The operative word is "OPINIONS".
You fail.

they're dope. the reason why they're "ugly" is because there are only two sizes and the upward sloping TT compensates for a large number of size ranges.

I know 3 people that have them and one dude that has the fork on his Sword. They all love them. My boy Tom from Cadence abuses the **** out of his and it's bulletproof.

i thought they were ugly too, but after talking to luke and austin, i fell in love with it. even the sloping top tube. they cut up austin's old bmw to look at the welds and they held up just fine. if u want to abuse a bike and aren't a big ***** about looks, bmw is def. a great options.
what makes a bike hot anyway.

did you even read his questions that he asked? he didn't ask about if anyone thought it was ugly.

you fail.

buy the F-ing think and bunny hop on the HATERS F-ing HEADS.
they are kinda ugly but dope at the same time if you are going to ride track with it I wouldn't buy it if you are going to do barspins and street mash on it grab one.
I need on for my stable for sure

+1

ok everybody, quit bickerin' over here. its not even noon!

i've seen these frames raced rather competitively on the track, in alleycats, doing messenger work and doing the craziest street ride tricks and bmx type stuff ever between three people i know who own them. they're much lighter than they look, but honestly they're about what's to be expected from a steel frame. i wouldn't call them heavy, but they make up for it by being extremely stiff and really responsive. i've ridden austin's and even with his high gearing it moves really nicely. i've also watched him straight up devour people during an australian pursuit at kissena on it. ...then there's that whole taking first in every alleycat in the last year thing...

i don't mind the look of the compact geometry, but they aren't really pretty bikes. that's fine by me though. i'd rock the hell out of one.

I picked up somebody's BMW at MT and it wasn't heavy at all, probably lighter than my Rob Roy.

Um, I don't think we can go any slower, you're going to have to keep up.

I was asked...
And I responded...

F- for you.

uuuummmmmmmm...................whatever.......******.

for real. theyre a bit goofy looking but ive seen them used on both the street and track to excellent results. everyone ive met whos owned one has been happy with it. i am a fan, and i normally hate **** like that.

They only come in 55 and 57cm top tubes. If those fit you, great. If you're small or huge, don't buy one. Fit is what matters!

I personally think they are overpriced, but I'm not a trick rider. If I was, they'd be a better value for me.

Also remember that a lot of NY people are friends with the BMW guys and people sponsored by BMW, so keep that in mind when reading these opinions.