Bike Test: Blank Sabbath 2015
Words and Photo’s: Dunk
Pilot: Will Slater
Rider Notes: A little heavy but got used to it right away
Distro: Splitsecondimports.co.uk
Website: Blankbikes.co.uk
Thanks: Crucial BMX Shop
First of all I must congratulate Blank on the name of this bike, which initially went over my head. Think of a few classic rock bands, you’ll soon get it. Or ask your dad. So, this very purple number comes in at a sniff under £400, so it’s in the good entry level bracket I’d say. 3-piece cranks, removable brake hardware, all the stuff you want on a bike. Blank have saved a bit of money on some parts like wheels but all seems well in line for the price. The other colour option is also purple, only a blacker version, which probably should have been called ‘Deep Purple’ so they missed a trick there. Again, ask your dad.
The USP for this bike is the internal gyro. It’s not the first internal gyro we’ve seen, the infamous KHE design resembling a baked bean can was unveiled years ago but never really took off. This design is a lot subtler and utilises a cut out in the head tube (with no compromise on the strength). Interestingly, the pulley is only on one side too which may raise an eyebrow or two but seems to work ok, although I do prefer the feel of the traditional double cables all the way through as per a regular gyro, which this wouldn’t allow. It’ll be interesting to see if this system catches on, but either way, it’s nice to see someone taking a risk and trying something new.
Spec:
Frame: BLANK TRI-MOLY FRAME WITH 20.85″ TOP TUBE & REMOVABLE BRAKE HARDWARE
Forks: BLANK ‘COMPOUND 2+’ TAPERED FORKS WITH CHROMOLY STEERER
Bars: BLANK 100% 4130 CHROMOLY GENERATION 8.75″ BARS
Stem: BLANK COMPOUND 55MM ‘HI-RISE’ STEM
Cranks: BLANK ICS (INTERNAL CLAMP SYSTEM) 3PC CHROMOLY CRANK
BB: MID SEALED
Sprocket: BLANK ‘WTF’ 25T ALLOY SPROCKET
Chain: Z410 NICKEL PLATED
Pedals: NEW ‘SUPER SLIM’ PLASTIC PEDALS
Brakes: REAR 990 STYLE ALLOY U-BRAKE WITH AFFIX INTERNAL GYRO SYSTEM
Grips: ODYSSEY CUFFLINK FLANGELESS GRIPS
Seat: BLANK EMBROIDERED COMBO SEAT WITH KEVLAR COVER
Post: Pivotal
Front Hub: 10MM FULLY SEALED FRONT HUB
Rear Hub: FULLY SEALED ‘SUPER SMOOTH’ 5 BEARING 9T CASSETTE HUB
Rims: ALIENATION PBR 36 HOLE RIMS
Tyres: INNOVA ’22 TPI’ TYRES 2.25″ Fr, 2.0″ R
Colour: PURPLE MIST BLACK OR TRANS PURPLE
RRP: £399.99
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