Nice Set Up

NICE SET UP: UK Legend – ‘Mad‘ Jon Taylor

A fresh whip with some of Federal's latest parts

Words, Photography & Video by: Scott Connor

John Taylor aka Mad Jon needs little introduction. He was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the 2014 RideUK Reader Awards. But, just to enlighten the slow and the newcomers to the BMX world, I’ll make one anyway. Jon’s a certified BMX legend, or ‘O.G’ to you young roadmen. He’s been around the world more times than the last five generations of your family combined and competed in more contests than you can name. He rode for GT & Hoffman during the height of the pro vert era and then went on to become an integral part of the team at Seventies Distro, while also managing the Vans UK team. Ask your favourite pro rider about Mad Jon, I bet he’ll have a story about some awesome riding trip or wild adventure involving Jon.

Well, if you don’t know, now you know… – Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

Jon, you’ve owned, ridden and probably broken more bikes than anyone in England. Would you say the current level of engineering with BMX components has reached a new level, in regards to quality and design?

“(Laughs) That might be true. Yeah, it is so insane how strong and light parts are now. I remember having parts that would bend if you just landed a bit heavy!”

What would you say the best innovation of recent times has been?

“Getting rid of railed seats. So, definitely the pivotal seat and seatpost, and now even the tripod system. A simple, reliable and clean looking design is always best.”

SPECS:

Frame: Federal Stevie Churchill frame Burgundy 21″
Bar: Federal Stevie Churchill bars Matt black 8.75″
Fork: Federal Drop V2 Matt Black
Grips: CULT/ VANS
Stem: Federal Hate front load stem Black/Silver fade
Headset: Federal
Cranks: Federal Vice 24mm cranks Matt black 175mm
Chain: Cult Chain 510 Gold
Sprocket: Subrosa Magnum bash sprocket Black 28 tooth
Pedals: Federal Contact plastic pedal Black 9/16″
Seat: Federal Royale Tripod
Post: Federal Tripod
Front wheel: Federal Stance
Back wheel: Cult LHD V2 Rear Wheel Black hub with black rim 9 tooth
Guards: Cult back/ Federal front
Pegs: Federal Plastic/Alloy peg (each) Black 14mm
Tyres: Cult Vans tyre All black 2.35″

Jon carving high at The Spot in Tottenham

Are there any new products in the works that we should be keeping an eye out for?

“Well, I’ve just put the new Federal pedals on. They have come out really good. I’m also running the Federal front hub and it’s just great. Both just quality product designs which are built to last.”

Jon’s been running the new Federal front hub and pedal for a while now

You’ve just built up a new whip featuring the latest Federal products. Tell us a little about your set-up and choice of parts?

“Yeah, It had been a while since I last built up a whole new bike. I like to put parts to good use and only swap them out when necessary. But once in a while you’ve just got to go in for whole new set-up. Just can’t beat that fresh whip feeling. I always rock a front load stem as I don’t like a really high front end. And it’s got to be with the Cult/Vans tyres because they are fat, super grippy and look real good.”