My Flatland Story and Bike Check: S&M Dagger

[@brandoncase-ml9kf]

I’m glad I found this channel, our stories are very similar. I was on the fence about getting back into it a couple of years ago but I felt too old, I’m 52 now and it was a young persons sport. But then I saw a lot of older people still doing it and found channels like this and that was it. I’m currently working on my first bike build, it’s been a blast so far, can’t wait until it’s finished, thanks.

[@flatlandjourney]

I'm glad you are getting back into riding! It's such a great way to have fun and get a work out in! You don't need to be young to ride flatland. Post a video of your bike when you finish it up and tag me in the post. I'd love to see it.

[@Angel_Santiago27]

What a amazing story! You are such a inspiration to me and for sure for many of us. Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. And keep doing the flatland videos you were the first point of contact I had with the flatland, I really enjoy your videos.

[@flatlandjourney]

Thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate you watching and so glad you are into flatland.

[@dvroom24]

Nice video. I am going to start wearing a helmet too. Keep riding flatland! Best sport to stay fit without taking too much risk and have fun. Even if you practice it alone. 😃

[@flatlandjourney]

That’s right! Glad you are riding and thanks for the encouragement.

[@ghostcheckblack]

19 or 19.5 TT paired with 26mm stem is my sweet spot

[@bobbybrandnew3277]

Hey there. I'm 5'10" do you think a 20.5 tt is too long if I wanna do flat and park? Colony Prody is what I'm choosing. Thank you.

[@steves591]

Cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[@dingustoons]

thanks for sharing, ive been enjoying your videos. I myself just got into the sport, im 42 and I went to work for my mentor and he introduced me, since then I got home, bout my own bike and have been continuing to learn as best I can. my biggest thing is balance though. Ive got a handful of tricks im super close to fully landing, but I havent been able to stick the tail end of em. Any balancing tips, tricks or advice.

[@flatlandjourney]

So glad you are riding! The best advice someone gave me about balance was to imagine a line going straight up from your peg that you are balancing on. Then focus on making sure weight is evenly distributed on both sides of that line. Not sure if that makes sense. Maybe I’ll make a video about it to explain more. Mostly, repetían is key. Make minor adjustments. Your brain literally begins to make neuropathways that help you su concomio idly improve at balancing as you practice.

[@boon9329]

Your story has a lot of parallels to mine. I was a skateboarder until my 20's then stopped, but always continued to ride bikes. I got into mountain biking because i need to get back in shape and I've been doing that for a year or so, but coming from an extreme sports background I always want to push it and in mountain biking that's too high risk for my old self with too many life commitments. I'd always though flatland was cool so at 42 I've started the task of trying to learn flatland as an out of shape old man.

[@flatlandjourney]

Ya one of the cool things about riding flatland is that it is pretty sustainable. Alot if the best riders are in their 40’s, so you are in good company. I’d love to see some videos of your progress. So if you post anything make sure to tag me. Thanks for sharing some of your story.

[@bryancorbin3760]

Great video. I'm working on getting a flatland bike. I have some health issues I'm working on / through so I need to get more active. Rode BMX as a kid but never flatland and always wanted to. I understand the not taking a hit to the head I'm in the same boat for different reasons. Did it take you long to find a frame and figure out your setup?

[@flatlandjourney]

Brian, praying for you as you work through your health issues. I found Bmx to be a great way to get exercise and enjoy it. Flatland is so great in particular because it is something sustainable that you can do through the decades. As for finding a bike set up that works for me, it did take me a little while to settle in and to be honest I am still thinking about switching my set up a little bit. But that is part of the fun. if you’re in the market for a Flatland bike, I’d be happy to help point you in the right direction.

[@AustinBIKE24]

Dude I love my dagger! Cool channel BTW !

[@flatlandjourney]

What size TT do you ride?

[@AustinBIKE24]

@@flatlandjourney 20.75 but I think 20.5 would be perfect!

[@bmxbanditdude]

Hey, I prefer my 2019 big daddy over the colony exon for the same reason. Well, a few reasons, but one of them is the top tube length is a little longer than the exon. And with the railed seat pushed as far back as it will go, having that bit of extra room is so much more comfy. And I also wear a helmet (and more recently, impact shorts. They make a difference! and of course, shin guards) 🤙

[@flatlandjourney]

Ya, the bigger top tube just makes it more comfortable. I’m not noticing any downsides really, other than a little extra weight. I’m glad I’m not the only one wearing a helmet out there;) thanks for the encouragement.

[@bakdogg]

the brown is cool but it would be cool if it was metal flake with brown kandy paint over the top 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@clarenceantoine1972]

Great story bro!!

[@nowherebrain]

you know where I might find a laid back pivotal seatpost?..if not I guess I could go with a rail setup like you have...but you know being tall, need that clearance :)

[@flatlandjourney]

I haven’t looked into that much. I checked flatlandfuel and it doesn’t look like they have any. I’ve only seen them for railed seats.

[@nowherebrain]

@@flatlandjourney yeah, I window shop there...my biggest problem is that I live in germany and I generally don't shop there anyway due to the import/customs taxes...oh the issues of being an american living in germany...I might have to find a way to fabricate it myself...

[@jessehefferon6276]

Try to have the griptape seams end on the bottom of the peg. Your foot will cause the seams to peel back. I heat mine up with a lighter and squeeze out any micro air pockets. Also, new grip tape can be a little too grippy for some subtle movements, so sand the coarseness down abit, and for foot pivots, i keep a inch of peg on the ends with no griptape-makes foot switchups easier to pivot on.

[@jessehefferon6276]

However, really grippy griptape on pegs yields greatly to rolling tricks in terms of stability. Forward rolling hitch hikers-no handed back to steamroller and back to hitch hiker, that was alot of fun when I started doing it progressively roiling faster and faster. Good times were had man.

[@flatlandjourney]

Thanks for those griptape tips! I'm currently working on getting into hitchikers from a Karl Cruiser. Might take me a while.

[@siturtle8288]

Im late, but i loves this vdeo

[@michaellaforte6964]

Is the dagger the replacement for the intrikat, same geometry?

[@flatlandjourney]

No, the dagger is often times used for Flatland but it is technically a park bike. The Intrikat has actually been released again. And you can buy a brand new one if you would like.

[@ghostcheckblack]

Do you have facebook page so that we can ask you

[@flatlandjourney]

I have an old Facebook account, but don’t check it often anymore. You can follow me on Instagram though if you use that. My account name is Kevinnicholasthorsell