Street Dave, as we all know is the best Dave in BMX right now. His years grinding some of the harshest terrain in the UK deem him a ‘saint’ to his peers and the go to guy for any ledge spot north of Watford Gap.

With a Ross Kemp approach to feebles Dave needs the right equipment for the job. Could plastic ever be an option? Is steel on the decline? Did Dave really try and feeble the central reservation of the M62 during rush hour? Hopefully this will answer some of those questions and more…

Plastic Paranoia Or Steel Stability?

Words: Street Dave
Photos: Joe Bailey, George McConville and Ozzie Reay

Having tested and subsequently destroyed pegs of all different materials, shapes and sizes over the years. My heart lies with a full metal jacket (X4), heat treated cromoly steel and XL street peg.

For the simple reason that I get to attack any UK redbrick ledge without fear of a teary eyed, grind less pedal home with a peg that resembles cornflakes gaffer taped to a deformed plastic cuboid.

The heartwarming smell of ground concrete, brick dust a plenty and the majestic sound of metal pegs squealing their 4140 hearts out for mercy is just too delicious to resist. Sparks from real pegs as if it be bonfire night every session and the faster metal on metal grinds. Not to mention a fatter wallet. It’s obvious where my allegiance lies. Both in grind experience and economics.

After just a few grinds the plastic peg gets flat-spots, in turn this means more of an uneven surface area, and a miserable soulless peg slide. I demand passion from my pegs and with plastic it’s just not hitting the spot.

A thick layer of street butter on most surfaces will get the trusty hardened steel peg through the vast amount of surfaces, no problem! No nibbling about buying new sleeves, and working on your bike all the time.

Having said all that I’m not some kind of peg Nazi, all peg work is good peg work in my book. I do understand the positive side of sliding alloy handrails, butter smooth ledge tech, plaza riding and the benefit of a lighter bike. It’s just not worth the negatives, costs and hassles for me. Rambo wouldn’t be where he is today if he’d have used a BB gun…

So to summarise it’s either plastic paranoia or steel stability. Choose wisely kids.