Yess BMX 2017 Grands Concept Frame

Over the past several years, it’s almost as traditional as goodie bags and gravy to see the release of the latest concept bike from Yess BMX, served up fresh, right here on News, before its debut at the USA BMX Grands.

This year, we had a little appetizer to the reveal, in the form of the UCI rule change for 2018 that will expressly allow belt-driven bikes in BMX competition (but not other disciplines). That restarted the belt drive discussion (boy, did it ever).

That story was a good warm-up act for today’s news, as we reveal, for the first time anywhere, the Yess 2017 concept bike, code named: “Show Stopper.”

It’s a concept that lends itself to belt drive (in that it that does not require a split in the chain or seat stay). But you can slip a chain-driven drivetrain on there just-the-same.

Here is some back & forth with Yess BMX shot-callers Bill and Renny Husada on this project bike, and also the recent online discussion involving belt drive.

Tell us the motivation behind your annual Grands “concept bike.”

With our in-house manufacturing resources, we can contribute to the sport by promoting innovation, not gimmicks. We’ve said this before, but not everything that appears as a “concept” will end up in the marketplace. We like starting conversations about what’s next.

The USA BMX Grands is the “Interbike” of BMX Racing—the time when we showcase what we can do in our shop, and some of our ideas for the future.

We have treated the Grands as such for quite a while now, and seeing other brands showing off their concept work in Tulsa validates our reasoning. Hopefully, it brings things to a new level, both for the industry and the riders coming by our space.

We may or may not have something new to show every year, but we are very excited with what we have to offer this year.

This year, the “Show Stopper” breaks the tradition of what a typical race frame looks like. When critics say “why re-invent the wheel?,” there’s an equal amount of people saying “BMX has no innovation” and is stagnant. From the beginning of time, every inventor has had their detractors, and their fans.

Folks will visit the Yess BMX booth in Tulsa to see it in the flesh, but give us a paragraph or two on what you are trying to accomplish with this design?

It addresses few key points that can actually benefit today’s riders.

At first glance, some skeptics may dismiss the design, purely on aesthetic grounds. Just like our Elite World Cup frame, the initial version of which we unveiled as our 2013 Grands concept (the “no seat” bike, BMX News, November 25, 2013).

Today, that model is very successful, with satisfied customers around the world.

For the 2017 Grands design, we evolved last year’s “Jaw-Dropper” concept. The Show Stopper features an “abbreviated” seat stay on the drive side of the frame and, thus, no traditional brake mounts.

Disc brakes are starting to gain momentum in BMX racing, so we committed to building a disc-brake-only frame, allowing us to “abbreviate” this stay, with no separation needed to install a belt.

This design helps Chain drive users as well; you don’t need to separate the chain to remove it. You can carry a spare for popular gear changes without a chain break. Quite handy for traveling athletes.

 What is the one misconception you’d like to clear up about belt drive, as it applies to BMX?

One misconception that needs to be cleared about belts is that they are NOT indestructible. A belt can break, just as a chain can break. The biggest reason belts break is due to mishandling.

For the record, we do not work for, nor are we affiliated with Gates Corporation. Technical questions about the drive system should be directed to them, not Yess BMX.

The belts that Gates makes today are different from the original product initially tested. We’ve already had Gates address one of the initial weaknesses of the system by having them produce a stronger Belt ring. All of these steps will improve the technology, over time. 

There will be more trial and error to come, much like any developing technology.
 
 Can you give us a peek into any other concept project you’re working on? 

We want to continue moving forward where improvements can be made, but we never make something just for the sake of adding more products to sell. There needs to be a specific performance or ease-of-use achievement in each of those concepts.

There are a few projects on the “finishing table,” back at the shop, but too many items detracts from the “showcase” aspect of the Grands, so we’re focusing on the items that are ready for primetime.

Any final thoughts?

We believe the carbon belt drive has a bright future in BMX racing. Yeah, a lot of people disagree, but a lot of people are keeping an open mind to it.

Building a belt drive frame is not easy. It’s not like building a regular chain-drive frame. It takes a new level of precision and materials-management.

As we mentioned above, the belt drive system, itself, is not manufactured by Yess.  The system is patented by Gates Corporation, an American company located in Denver Colorado. Yess only builds the frame, which uses their system.

What do you think about the comments on the article last week for the UCI Belt Drive released?

We have had a lot of fun reading the comments this-past week, but we don’t understand why there are so many haters. No one is forcing them to use the belt drive, it’s just another option for riders to consider. Of course, we’ve seen similar threads on carbon forks, carbon frames and carbon rims, so it’s to be expected. People are running those items in greater numbers than ever.

Just like in those other cases, haters say carbon belt drive will make riders run, screaming, away from the sport, because it has become too expensive. The reality is that you can get the Carbon Belt “drive chassis” (belt drive compatible frame, tapered alloy fork, and Gates drivetrain, all for around $1,100.00— about the same price as a carbon frame, by itself.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Bill and Renny for giving News the scoop on their 2017 Grands concept. Be sure to stop by the Yess BMX booth when you hit town in Tulsa.

—Mike Carruth

Yess BMX Adds Taper to Fork Line

Yess BMX has been gradually, but gainfully, coming through the pack of top fork brands on the market. Whether you’re a connoisseur of carbon or a “steel is real,” you may-just want to take a look at what Yess BMX is offering up-front.

Their aluminum fork is one of the lightest out there, and has been available in nine sizes, from 18” micro to pro 24” in 20mm.

Today, News is pleased to bring you the scoop on two new models joining the Yess BMX fork line. A pro-sized aluminum fork with a Tapered steer tube.

Along with the joyous addition to the fork family, Yess BMX honcho, Renny Husada tells News that the fork line has also been re-branded as the “Reach” Fork. Here’s what he told us in an exclusive statement.

We are very excited to release the tapered fork to the public. After some serious on-track testing, it’s ready for the world. With the flexibility we have in running fabrication in-house, we can cater to pretty-much every BMXer, with the full-spectrum of sizes. This is the next logical extension.

The entire line of Yess BMX forks will now be known as the “Reach” Fork.

If you have a set with the Yess BMX logo on them, and want a free “Reach” decal kit, please send us a photo of your fork, as well as proof of purchase and your address to info@yessbmx.com.

Across the line, we offer Matte Black and Matte Silver as standard finishes, but custom colors are available.

Western Powersports will be receiving their shipment of the new pro taper model this week.

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Specs

Here are the specifics on the full line of Yess BMX Reach forks

Micro 18″ – 13.1oz – MSRP: $180
Mini 20″ – 14.8oz – MSRP: $180
MIni 24″ – 15.4oz – MSRP: $180
Expert 20″ – 1lb – MSRP: $180
Expert 24″ – 1lb 0.6oz – MSRP: $180
Pro 20″ 10mm – 1lb 6.2oz – MSRP: $200
Pro 24″ 10mm – 1lb 8oz – MSRP: $200
Pro 20″ 20mm – 1lb 6.4oz – MSRP: $200
Pro 24″ 20mm – 1lb 8.3oz – MSRP: $200
Pro Taper 20″ (20mm only) – 1lb 7.1oz – MSRP: $225
Pro Taper 24″ (20mm only) – 1lb 8.9oz – MSRP: $225

*Weights are based on the raw fork. Powder and top cap will add a bit to the above numbers. 20mm forks will adapters will also be additional.

The Reach fork cuts a nice jib for the profile of your race ride. It has the looks, lightweight and fabulous finish. Check out the links below for some of the in-stock models at J&R.

Links

Yess “Reach” Forks at J&R Bicycles

Yess BMX Announces 2018 West Coast Leader

As we get started on 2017 Grands season, the initial moves by teams are starting to take shape. Today, Yess BMX announced that they will have a new show-runner for their West Coast Factory Team in 2018.

Jean-Marc Durviaux, a Yess BMX Factory Team member will step-in to the West Coast Team Manager role after the Grands.

Yess BMX VP, Renny Husada told News:

With a new Year comes new changes. We are excited to formally announce the new Team Manager who will be taking on the reigns for our West Coast Factory program after Grands next month to be Jean Marc Durviaux.

We graciously thank Jerry Bradford and David Velador for their total commitment to our factory program over the last 3 years and wish them well for the future.

As an end to one program and a beginning of a new, we are also stoked to have a fresh look for our factory pilots using a new design next season thanks to Rolando Camacho of Blotout Graphics. He would be the only one that can correctly evolve our identity which we have proudly worn around the world.

—Renny Husada

Lisa Motley, East Coast Factory Team Manager says, of her new West Coast counterpart:

I am really excited that Jean-Marc (John Mark) will be the new West Coast TM. What Jean-Marc brings to the Yess BMX family perfectly compliments our existing program.

His lifetime of Bmx racing experience is a new fresh perspective. I am very much looking forward to working with him. 

—Lisa Motley

And, last, but not least, it is great to hear from the in-coming West Coast Factory Team Manager, Jean-Marc:

I’m beyond stoked and very optimistic about the year ahead. Building a new Yess team on the West Coast is a very exciting prospect, indeed.

I have been involved in BMX for many many years, and this particular endeavor is a new level of involvement and investment in this sport that I love.

When Renny and Lisa presented me with this opportunity, I knew it was the right fit. I love Yess products and have raced on them for two years.

I believe in the power of the Yess brand — being out there, technologically, while at the same time, down to earth culturally.

I look forward to assembling a talented group of like-minded riders, and continuing to foster this Yess family spirit.

I have no doubt it will lead to more successes, memorable milestones and broader horizons for all involved.

—Jean-Marc Durviaux

We congratulate Factory Yess, and Jean-Marc for getting together, and for putting an early-stake in 2018. All-the-best!

TOP PHOTO: Jean-Marc Durviaux and Renny Husada at the 2016 USA BMX Grand National.

Links

Yess BMX Website

New Product: Yess Aluminum Pro Fork

Back on August 9, News reported the coming-to-market story of a new all-alloy mini fork from Yess BMX. Today, the fork family gets bigger by one, with the addition of a pro-size brother.

Like all the products in the Yess BMX line, their new aluminum pro fork is a thing of beauty, and gives burly BMXers a third choice between chromoly and carbon.

Here’s what Yess BMX VP, Renny Husada told News about the new blades.

As soon as we reintroduced our mini fork in August, there were numerous inquiries on when we would release an alloy Pro fork. There has been a lack of alloy forks in the marketplace when a majority of frames are still alloy.

The big brands have invested their efforts in promoting carbon as the material of choice for their fork offerings. We are excited to introduce a Pro Alloy fork. The development didn’t happen overnight, as we went through many different iterations in testing.

The fork above says #noglue because it is fully-welded 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum, which undergoes the same heat treatment process as all of our frames. We’ve seen too many failures where steer tubes and bonding sections fail, rendering the fork useless. Many of these failures occur on high end, high quality products.

This new design is equal to, or less than, the weight of carbon products available, while at the same time providing peace of mind to the rider that, in the event of beyond-the-scope conditions, any evidence of bending, cracking and/or stress marks will occur long before catastrophic failure.

The cost, the weight and the flexibility of colors will definitely help steer interested consumers back to Alloy.

All of our distributors and dealers will have access to these forks in the second quarter of 2017.

Until then, we are taking pre-orders at the Grands, so be the first in line when we start shipping them!

Sizes: 20″ and 24” (1-1/8 steer; no tapered-headtube option)
Weights: 20”: 617g 24”: 650g
MSRP: USD$199

We know that Renny and Bill have been laboring hard in their Vancouver-area workshop to dial-in all the details in time for the big face-to-face rollout next week in Tulsa. Be sure to stop by the Yess BMX pit to check them out in the proverbial flesh.

But Wait, There’s More!

Yess has been famous for showing a “concept” bike at the Grands in recent years. This year, it’s the “TypeX,” which is a concept-solution to the issue of a split-seatstay frame so a carbon belt can be slipped through. All-the-more reason to stop by the Yess BMX pit in Tulsa.

Links

Yess BMX Website

Yess Belt Drive Cruiser Ready For Duty

One of our top stories of 2015 was the “World Exclusive” we posted on the Yess BMX belt drive BMX race bike, powered by the Gates Carbon Drive system. The project made it through rigorous testing and even some real-deal race laps before Yess BMX president Bill Husada pronounced it ready for customer orders. That was a little before the 2015 Grands, and orders have been coming in at a pace about to be expected for a new-tech product like this one. Lots of folks weren’t sure ’bout this “Internet fad,” until they were.

Once the 20-inch was set up smooth and solid, and with some “here’s my credit card as a deposit” interest at the Grands for a cruiser version powered by the Gates Carbon Drive, Bill and Renny have sent BMX News this first look at the first complete build to come off the proverbial line.

For the two-four, Bill and Renny hand-picked a parts package that includes mostly BOX Components, but brings in the specially-fitted-for-Carbon-Drive Onyx rear hub (with matching front), and Arisun tires.

Yess BMX Belt Drive Cruiser Complete
Frame: Yess Type X – Beltdrive
Fork: 24″ Box X^2 20mm
Headset: Box Glide Carbon Headset
Bars: Box Maximus 5.5in
Stem: Box Delta 53mm
Spacers: Box 1-1/8
Seat: Box Echelon race Saddle
Seat Clamp: Yess 31.8mm Quick Release
Bottom Bracket: Box Extremum
Cranks: Box Vector
Brake Lever: Box
Grips: Yess Maxx Lock-on Grips
Rims: Box Focus Rims
Hubs: Onyx SS 36hole 10mm
Tires: Arisun XLR8
Brake: Avid rear disc brake system

Gates Carbon Drive Components
Front Gear: 50-tooth Gates Carbon Drive System Ring (Aluminum)
Belt: 108-tooth Gates Carbon Drive
Rear Cog: 22-tooth Gates Carbon Drive System Pulley (Aluminum)
Gear Ratio: 1 : 2.27 equivalent to 41/18

Complete Price: $2900, includes a $200 discount until May 1.

Bill and Renny have also put together a complete version of the 20-inch model, built up with their SEI build kit. Here are the specs on that:

SEI-Yess BMX Belt Drive 20″ Complete

Frame: Yess Type X – Belt Drive
Fork: SEI 20″ Cro-mo 10mm race equipped
Headset: Integrated sealed angular bearing 1-1/8 race
Bars: SEI 8″ 2degree rise, 10degree back
Stem: SEI Forged 53mm Aluminum
Spacers: Black 3 pc 1-1/8 Steer tube Alloy Spacers
Seat: SEI 1 pc 27.2mm lightweight padded Alloy post/Seat Combo
Seat Clamp: SEI 31.8mm Quick Release Clamp
Bottom Bracket: SEI sealed bearing out board threaded BB
Cranks: SEI 2 pc. Forged 4-bolt 175mm Crankset
Brake Lever: SEI Alloy Brake Lever
Grips: SEI 130mm Lock-on Grips
Rims: SEI 20×1.75 Alexrim
Hubs: SEI 36hole 102pt Cassette Hub w/ 10mm Axles
Tires: 20×1.75 Arisun XLR8 Race tires
Brake: SEI V-Brakes

Gates Carbon Drive Components
Front Gear: 55-tooth Gates Carbon Drive Ring (Aluminum)
Belt: 108-tooth Gates Carbon Drive
Rear Cog: 20-tooth Gates Carbon Drive Pulley (Aluminum)
Gear Ratio: Equivalent to 44/16

Complete Price: $1450.00, includes a $200 discount until May 1.

As a closing to our discussion, Bill told News:

Bill and Renny Husada of Yess with Yess Factory rider Christina Cunningham after her Saturday win at the 2016 Great Northwest Nationals.

I have been in the metals industry is more than 50 years, and in the bike industry for 28 years. In that time, there have been a lot of changes in consumer tastes.

The Gates Carbon Drive for BMX is here now–and is no longer a “future” product. It has been tested, perfected, and proven as a viable technology for high-performance BMX Racing.

Many manufacturers design new shapes and sizes of frames, design new decals, and spray-on some new paint, but all these cosmetic changes are done in the hopes that consumers won’t get bored with the same-old products being offered.

Belt drive provides light weight, and excellent power-transfer. The belt, cog and front sprocket (called a “pulley” in belt-drive speak) is about half of the weight of a conventional setup. The belts don’t stretch, don’t need lubrication, and the pulleys maintain perfect-pitch profile.

After 28 years of seeing the “latest and greatest” thing, this application has me very excited and confident we are bringing something truly new to the BMX market.

We’re stoked that Bill’s stoked, and think you’ll be stoked too–so get on the horn and engage the Warp Carbon Drive today. For more information, or to place your order, email Renny Husada (renny@yesspro.com)

—Mike Carruth

Links

Yess BMX Website

SEI-Yess Build Kit

On May 25, 2015, BMX News reported the launch of a sister brand to Yess BMX, called SEI (pronounced “Say”…get it? “Say Yess!”). In the article, Yess BMX VP Renny Husada talked about the company’s vision for creating a “build kit” that would help riders who had their prefered frame picked out, but wanted a prime parts package, without hand-picking every last valve cap.

Well, that vision has come into focus in recent months–first with a showing at the Interbike trade show last fall, then at the Grands in November. Now, we get to see the full-kit, unboxed, in a new video, hosted by local British Columbia hero, “BMX Dad.”

Here is what the full kit includes:
130mm Lock on Grip
8″ Bar (2°Rise, 10°Back)
53mm Alloy Stem
45/45 1-1/8 Headset Sealed bearing w/ Starnut
3 pc Steer Alloy Spacer
20″ Cromo 10mm Dropout Fork
102pt Cassette hub on Alexrim Wheelset 10mm axles
20×1.75 Arisun XLR8 Tires
175mm 2-Pc Forged Crankset w/ external BB
1 pc post/seat 27.2mm Alloy
Black SEI V-brake & Brake Lever
Brake Cable
KMC K810 3/32 Chain
31.8 QR Clamp

We had our eyes on the unboxing, for sure, and there are some solid components in there to help make any build extra-bueno. But we were also eyeing that giant rack of Yess World Cup frames. We’re going to bring you a Product Spotlight on that frame next week or two, so keep an eye out for it.

Thanks to Renny and Bill at Yess for giving News readers a first look at the unboxing video.

This kit is so new that it is not-yet posted on he J&R website, but you can call them at 727-545-1580 to order one by phone. Be sure to mention BMX News Product Spotlight discount code “JRSPOT15″ in your call to receive 15% off your order.

Links

Use Discount Code JRSPOT15 for 15% off your order over $75

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Yess BMX Opens Up East Coast Team

Bill and Renny Husada at Yess BMX have been making some big moves lately, and the stage is set for a very solid 2016. On the heels of a successful showing at the Grands, both in the pits and on the track, the company officially announced today that they will be teaming up with former Morphine Read more

Yess BMX Showing Tech in Tulsa

Bill and Renny Husada at Yess BMX have been working to perfect a number of BMX innovations for quite some time. We first saw the disc brake prototype at the Grands a few years ago. After lots of tweaking, tinkering and test riding, the system is finally ready for your close inspection this weekend. Only you don’t have to wait for the first look, because we have it right here!

As you can see, the actuating unit is perched atop a tasty hanger instead of milling a slot for it directly on the dropout. This “dropout saver” method keeps the unit firmly in place, and gives easy access for adjusting things.

Also on display is the production version of the Yess frame that is compatible with the Gates CarbonDrive belt drive system. We showed you the prototype back on June 10, along with notes on the test sessions that took place up in Canada with both Renny and Bill and the Gates engineers looking-on. The project has moved forward since then, with more Elite-level testing to prove-out the claim that the belt drive is able to withstand the highest demands a rider can put on it.

To let you see for yourself, the belt drive bike will be available for free test rides at the Yess pit area. They will even let you take the rig over to Pro Gate and rip a few gates–on them! After that, if you are sufficiently sold on the system, you can place a pre-order at the race for delivery in Q1 2016.

Yess BMX president, Bill Husada extends a special invitation to the Elites in the house, to come by and test out the belt drive setup (and the sweet-and-stable Yess frame that the belt drive is built around).

One thing we know for sure: Yess never disappoints when it comes to Grands goodies. We’re looking forward to seeing the refined finery they have on-offer for 2016.

—Mike Carruth

Links

Yess BMX Website

Yess BMX Rolling on Micro-Rollers

As part of our story on the new SEI component package, News unearthed another scoop on future product coming out of the Yess BMX development lab in Canada.

Here’s an early peek at the Yess BMX micro-rollers. Portable, and “totally-rollable” (as the saying goes). The product does not have an official name yet, and is expected to be available to BMXers world wide, sometime this fall. That gives plenty of time for the testing, tweaking and real-world training that all the Yess products are famous for.

But, looking at the spy photos, we can tell that the foldable design (above) will make them easy to pack and pull-out when the “spin to win” warmup needs to happen. From the looks of the prototype, they’ll fit well inside your air-travel “golf bag,” or tucked-neatly in your over-packed road-trip ride.

Too early to tell on pricing, but the skinny is that the micros will street for $130-$145.

Yess BMX VP, Renny Husada gave us a brief comment, saying:

We wanted to create something that complimented our seat post extenders, and have had some prototypes around the shop for a while, but wanted to improve them. This is the final, just-finished, prototype we’re moving into the testing phase.

Keep an eye on News for more on the Yess micro-rollers, including final street-date, and pricing.

Links

Yess BMX Website

Say Hello to SEI

Late last week, News got some early word on a new BMX components brand in the making. It took us a couple days to verify all the chit-chatter to distill it down to only what matters, but we are finally able to give you the low-down on the down-low.

SEI, pronounced “say,” is being developed to be a sister brand to Yess BMX out of Canada. “SEI Yess,” get it?

Friend of News, and Yess BMX VP, Renny Husada told us that they have been keeping things fairly low-key as the line is developing and product is in the final phases of manufacturing, and also promised us a first look at the line when it’s ready for prime time.

We tried to sweet talk him into a sneak peek at some of the product to post along with this article, but he said “we’ll leave that as ‘coming soon’.” Here’s what Renny said about the project:

SEI BMX is a project we’ve been planning for a while now. There’s a big void in the market space between riders who are a good-fit for entry-level complete bikes, and riders who can “shoot the works” and go full-custom. If you want to choose your own frame, there really isn’t a complete “build kit” of parts to get on the track fast.

There are plenty of choices for complete bikes (lower-end components), and more than enough options for custom builds with aftermarket parts (higher-end of the price spectrum). SEI will address the space where riders want the frame of their choice, but want to build it up with a simple-and-complete, high-performance parts package. There is nothing else being offered as a complete kit, and early feedback from the industry has been very positive.

The parts in the SEI build kit have been designed to work together for maximum performance and efficiency, at a very approachable price.

The SEI BMX Mission

Simplicity. We will create a kit that is easier to assemble and even provides how-to videos for the first-time builders out there.

Value. The SEI build kits will come as complete sets, allowing us to pass on economy-of-scale savings to the rider.

Growing the Sport. We love BMX Racing, and want to do our part to ensure continued growth.
How can a parts kit do that? By making the process of building a semi-custom race bike a simple process. Pick your favorite frame. Pick the SEI build kit. Done. Now, watch the assembly vids (if needed) to learn how to put it all together.

We’re acting together with BMXers around the world to develop new ways to spread the word, and there’s no BMX without getting new riders on quality bikes.

Our Brand Director, Roy Husada, has experience working with well established brands such as Nike and Puma, experience he brings to SEI to move us forward. There is incredible potential for our sport to go mainstream, and maintain the charismatic look & feel we love about it. With our extensive experience in the bicycle industry and new design thinking, we will launch this new brand with all pistons firing.

More details, and some first photos will be available to us soon, and you know that as soon as we have ‘em, you’ll have ‘em, so keep it right here on News

Thanks to Renny, Bill and Roy for giving News this exclusive peek into what’s next from the Great North.

—Mike Carruth

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