SETUPS: Dan Kruk

Brand New Trans Blue Network

4 Oct 2022

Dan Kruk color matching his outfit to his freshly built signature WeThePeople Network frame, enjoying the colorful alleyways of Long Beach, CA.

Photos & Interview by: Wes McGrath

Dan Kruk is one of the most innovative and creative street riders out there right now and his most recent video part for WeThePeople Honey video showcased his riding in a real refreshing way.

Throughout the filming proces Dan battled injuries and joined the road to recovery just to get to the end of the video. I caught up with Dan and see what he had to say about the process and to check out the the bike that carried him through.

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Name: Dan Kruk

Age: 28

Hometown: West Allis, WI

Current City: Long Beach, CA

Years Riding: 16

Beer, wine or booze?

Beer if I’m just out with friends.

NYC, LA, or the Midwest?

I love the spots in the Midwest but the weather in LA is great!

Cheetos, Banana or muffin?

Banana!

Hango, Varanyak or Martinez?

Damn that’s a hard question. I’m a big fan of Colin’s riding so I’ll go Varanyak!

Barspin, 360 or icepick?

Barspin forever... It’s my Favorite trick!

So fresh and so clean, Dan definitely knows how to keep things looking gooood!

Sponsors: Wethepeople, Merritt, Vans, 4seasons skatepark, MPEG, Kings Rideshop

Frame: Trans Blue WTP Network 20.8t

Fork: WTP Battleship 15mm offset

Bars: WTP Stallis 9.25 rise

Stem: WTP Gooseneck 48mm reach

Grips: Merritt Billy Perry

Hubs: WTP hybrid rear / helix front hub

Rims: Merritt Battle

Tires: Merritt FT1 2.25

Pegs: WTP Temper 4.5”

Seat: Merritt Billy Perry

Cranks: Merritt Battle 160mm

Pedals: Merritt P1

Chain: Merritt halflink

Sprocket: 90east 25t

The whole kit looking so good against this gritty and cracked concrete.

What is it about your bike you like the most?

I’d have to say my WTP Network frame. I designed it from the ground up and it works so good with my riding style.

Are there any specific changes to this set-up?

I wouldn’t say there’s any changes but I do cut the flange off of the Merritt grips and run them backwards, gives my hands a nice cushion when catching barspins.

When you wake up in the morning, how do you start your day before going out to ride?

Usually I’ll have some coffee, grab some food, watch a lil YouTube for motivation then go meet up with the homies.

"Stallis" is the nickname to Dan's hometown. West Allis, Wisconsin. So this angle for his bars was just right!

The town of "Stallis" is famously known for the number of bars throughout and since these bars are Dan's first signature part, it's only right to name them after his hometown!

On any given day, who are the friends that make up your crew while out riding?

The usual circle is pretty small but lately it’s Grant Castelluzzo, Mike Stahl, Riley Smith and Nick Krauer.

You’ve recently moved into your own place; how does that feel compared to sharing a BMX house? Do you think it helps or hinders your daily riding?

Oh man, living alone is the best. It’s always clean, and not a million people always around. It’s so nice to be able to just come home and turn off life for a bit and just relax.

What does the 9-5 look like for you, are you currently working too?

I have a few different gigs when I’m home. I mostly work Valet around LA and Orange County for private events and also work a photo booth gig in LA every now and then when they hit me up.

Billy Perry signature Seat by Merritt.

Dan's signature decals for his brand-new Network frame.

Honey is one hell of an example of your riding, taking last part alongside, Felix, Jordan and Riley how do you feel about it all now that the dust has settled?

I love what we ended up making. I was hurt and just getting back on the bike after 6 months when we started so it was great motivation to get back to 100 percent. Everyone in the video constantly pushes me to be better and have Grant behind the lens makes all the hard work worth it.

How long did you get to work on your Honey part?

I think I worked in my part for probably 5 months consistently. The first few months of filming I was recovering so wasn’t really able to go as hard as I’d like.

You were hurt bad while filming this part, how long were you out with that injury and what exactly happened to you?

I was off the bike for 6 months due to a torn PCL and MCL in my right knee. Luckily I didn’t need surgery but it took a lot of rehab and healing time to be able to get back to riding hard.

WTP Hybrid rear freecoaster laced to the Merritt Battle rims with the WTP Temper pegs.

Merritt pedals along side the 90EAST sprocket.

Are you fully recovered yet?

I’d say I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. Feels better everyday.

What is your favorite clip in Honey?

My favorite clip in honey would have to be the last one. We actually filmed that one first way before honey was even a thought. A week or so after that is when I got hurt so it had just been sitting on a computer for over a year.

What was the hardest trick in the video for you and why?

The tooth hard bar was the hardest for me because fitting a barspin into such a weird hard spin was super challenging. Throwing it on the way down was so awkward and just the position the tooth hard puts you in is very difficult for adding a barspin.

WTP Helix front hub and the Merritt Brian Foster signature FT1 tire.

Merritt half-link chain protected by the 90EAST guard sprocket and bolted to the Merritt Battle cranks.

Where did you and the team travel to film for this video?

Jordan and I were able to do a small trip to Tucson, AZ which was amazing. We had a great time there. Mainly wanted to ride those Kinkers that dak rode in his cult part.

Were there any Grant C’s injured during the making of this video?

Haha I don’t think he got hurt at all during the making of this video.

Feel free to shout out anyone here and let people know who actually support you!

First of all thanks DIGBMX and Wes for this interview! Shout out to all my sponsors for keeping me rolling, and thanks to all of you reading this!