https://huffy.com/sledgehammer

An Interview with Mark Gralla's Chain

If only your bike could talk....

4 Nov 2014

GRALLA CHAIN 1

Intro, Interview and photos by Rob Dolecki.

During a venture up to New York City recently, I rolled up to Dah Shop and noticed a rusty beat-up chain laying on the ground next to the front door. A few seconds later, Mark Gralla comes strolling out with a chain breaker and new chain in hand. Looking at that old chain on the ground got me thinking, “That thing has probably seen its share of miles and adventure." And it has. Mr. Gralla has been on a seemingly non-stop traveling mission the past year. No awkward transition or back-alley storm door has been safe from Mr. Underrated's crusade to conquer old and newly discovered gems all over the U.S. and beyond. And his new chain is in for a whole lot more. Here's a Q&A with Ratman's old chain:

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

How long were you on Mr. Gralla's bike for?

I honestly don't remember, maybe six months or more? I just remember the feeling of finally being free from that little cardboard box. It was so liberating, but I didn't keep track of dates.

How many different bikes were you on during your stint as a bike chain?

One. I'm a one-bike chain. Though, after just being dumped at Dah Shop for a younger chain, I may be ready for an open relationship.

How many states in the U.S. did you explore?

Twenty-something. I can't remember the exact amount; I'm made out of steel and don't have a brain, so my memory isn't that good. Indiana was Mark's favorite because that other guy from the city, Mr. Piazza, didn't enjoy it so much.

How many other countries did you go to?

One. Japan (two times) was Ratkid's favorite to visit by default because it was the only other country. This mofo pedaled way too much day and night there; it felt like he stressed me the entire time- he doesn't sleep!

GRALLA GPSMITH JAPAN

Gap to smith on some Japanese granite.

How many weird tranny spots did you carve?

Not enough of them. FDR is probably Mark's favorite because it's endless; and it's mine too because I finally get to relax, since he adheres to the no-pedal policy there.

GRALLA FDR TRANSFR

No chain stress here. Routine hop gap transfer at FDR.

How many storm doors did you dive into?

Several. Centre St. is Mark's favorite; he doesn't have a specific reason, of course.

How many shitty neighborhoods did you venture through?

Too many. St. Louis may have been greasier than me. Actually, that's a bad metaphor—did you see how much rust is on me?

Previous

Re-Print: The Eddie Roman Influence

Stew Johnson reflects on 3 of his all time favorite videos, and the man behind them...

Next

Re-Print: The Alex Donnachie Interview

The most sarcastic BMX interview ever?...

Related Content

Spot Tourism - Goofballs in BCN
Spot Tourism - Goofballs in BCN
Spot Tourism - Goofballs in BCN
Spot Tourism - Goofballs in BCN

Spot Tourism - Goofballs in BCN

Snapshots and Scotch with Ratkid, Chris Reyes and Travis Splain

9 Feb 2015
GRALLA CHAIN 1
Play Button

Skapegoat 10

The latest Big $cerbs project now here for your viewing pleasure...

18 Dec 2014
Navi-Arm-BMX-The-Streets-of-Medellin-Colombia
Play Button

The Navi Arm Colombia Video

Santiago Munoz, Tom White, Mark Gralla, Jackson Ratima, Garret Hoogerhyde, and Zac Costa...

6 Feb 2015
Screen-Shot-2014-12-04-at-8.32.23-AM
Play Button

Violators 2

Louisville, Kentucky represent.

4 Dec 2014
https://www.kunstform.org/

Latest Content

05 Dudb DO Nxchqdefault
Play Button

Satoski Enda - 47 to 50

Repping level 5

18 Oct 2025
Gwbk WJ7 Ly94hqdefault
Play Button

SAM GRACE - RAW CUT

FUL LFACE REQUIRED

18 Oct 2025
MQX1 ZM1 Nf Dkhqdefault
Play Button

Gaspar Guendulain Focus Bike Check - BSD

An alternative street machine

17 Oct 2025
M0 P6ju G Xu O Ehqdefault
Play Button
KW Vvcjw Mr Ihqdefault
Play Button

CASEY STARLING - PROJECT Xtras

"The Eiffel Tower is somewhere around here"

16 Oct 2025
Y Zzr Xz OR Dbwhqdefault
Play Button

Stephan Atencio | Sophie

He's back

16 Oct 2025
Uq3c Rb T6 G Jghqdefault
Play Button

SEAN GARDNER - SHF

A LOVELY BLEND OF TECH & STYLE

15 Oct 2025
Iycmp Z9z Wchqdefault
Play Button

CLUUT JAM 2025 / 'CASH UP'

Brussels, Belgium

14 Oct 2025
1g VAC Jov5 O Mhqdefault
Play Button
Z M33usz7 D Rghqdefault
Play Button

Snakebite BMX - Jared Souney Podcast

Integral BMX media manisfestation

13 Oct 2025
Me VA43 E Ye T Ahqdefault
Play Button

Vans BMX & Odyssey - PROOF OF BIKING

Enarson, Benegas, Hilder, Loubser, Young, Raekes, Laverde, Grabner and more

10 Oct 2025
6lsi PNAX Kjwhqdefault
Play Button

MURKY - 'Funny How Time Slips Away' DVD

8 Years In The Making

10 Oct 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025