https://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/goods-gear/bike-parts-components

First Look: Morgan Long's FIT HoodBird Setup

See what Fit and Morgan Long have hatched...

24 Jun 2015

Morgan Long hoodbird bike check portrait WM 1

Words and photos by Wes McGrath

I've known Morgan Long for a few years now and I have seen his riding get better and better... and better. Each time we ride he continues to surprise me with his choice in set-ups too, which is so unique especially out riding street. I had the chance to catch up with Morgan while he took a short trip to New Mexico to clock some footage for his new FIT frame promo. I haven't seen him in over a year and it was great to see he's still the same ol' Morgan I left back in Long Beach, California. When I heard he was coming out with a new signature frame and bar for FIT I honestly wasn't surprised that he has been given this opportunity. Being the first out of four new FIT pro riders to receive a signature line definitely speaks for itself. Through determination and sheer talent, Morgan brings you his newest baby, The FIT HOODBIRD!

Morgan Long hoodbird bike portrait 1

So when exactly did the idea of your frame come about?

I went into Fit late last December to pick some things up and Moeller set me down and told me they wanted to put me on the Pro team for the new year. He also told me they wanted to give me a Signature frame, so I started gathering ideas since then. Getting offered a Signature frame while getting put on the pro team alongside three bad ass riders gave me a unmatched feeling of Pride!

Did you come up with the name 'Hoodbird'?

Yes I did. The name was by far the hardest part of the whole process. I knew from the beginning that I didn't want the name to be anything to do with my actual name so I spent weeks and weeks constantly thinking about names. I just felt like the name plays a big part in the frame, I wanted something that was memorable, easy to say, and that we could play off of for the graphics. Once Hoodbird popped into my head I knew instantly that I was rolling with that name.

Morgan Long hoodbird sprocket WM 1

Extra wide tire clearance in the rear end for room with a 2.4 tire slammed!

Morgan Long hoodbird seat WM 1

Investment cast seat clamp.

Morgan Long hoodbird graphics WM 1

ALL graphics hand drawn by Eben Fischer.

Morgan's current setup:

Frame: Fit HoodBird 21.25

Bars: Prototype Fit HoodBird 9.5" rise

Forks: Fit FK forks

Stem: Fit BF 48mm

Grips: Prototype S&M Mike Hoder

Seat: Fit Barstool pivotal

Seat Post: Fit Pivotal

Cranks: Fit Indent 165mm

Pedals: Fit Mac sealed metal

Sprocket: Fit Key Guard 28T

Chain: Shadow Supreme Interlock

Tires: Fit T/A 2.4

Rims: Shadow Corvus

Hubs: BSD Street

How important is it to you to have a decent frame graphic, given you have the main man Eben Fischer behind the artwork?

Very important! I was stressing all the details of the frame because I think the details are really what helps make the frame standout from a bunch of frames out that just look the same. Once I had decided on the name I knew it was something that would be easy to play off of for the graphics. From there, Eben Fischer and myself started working together throwing around ideas for a few weeks before he started working on some designs. I can't say enough how lucky I am to have one of my best friends work on my graphics and Eben is one of the most talented people I know. I think the last few frame graphics he has done are going to open up some eyes to how important it is to put in some time on the graphics, come up with something that looks different and that fits the rider image for there signature product.

Morgan Long hoodbird bike check barspin WM 1

Double rail hop bar spin out in New Mexico.

HoodBird frame specs and info:

Double gussets on top and bottom tubes for extra head tube strength.

Frame sizes: 20.75, 21, 21.25

Rear end lengths: 13.4' - 13.9'

Bottom Bracket: Mid

Bottom Bracket height: 11.8

Seat tube angle: 71 degrees

Head tube height: 5 inches

Head tube angle: 75.75 degrees

Stand over height: 9.5 inches

Dropout thickness: 6mm

Colors: Translucent Gold and Clear Gloss

"We are also working on a signature Hoodbird Bar that will be coming out mid July that will match my Frames standover with a 9.5"rise, with 11 degrees backsweep and 3 degrees upsweep." - Morgan Long

Is there anything special/specific about the hoodbird that you'd like to point out?

First thing first, it's made in America. It has a steep/taller (5") (75.75) head tube to put your bars higher without the need for spacers. To go along with the tall head tube it also has a tall stand over height at 9.5". Double gussets and 6mm thick drop outs so you don't have to worry about strength. Most importantly, the frame is tall, fast and strong!

Have you had any other signature parts from any of your past sponsors?

No I haven't. I worked on some things with past sponsors and they were not down to work with my ideas, so things did not work out.

How does it feel as a pro rider to finally have a signature frame from a company such as FIT?

Man it is the best feeling for real! You can't beat riding for a real rider owned company, and working with them on a product. The frame is exactly what I want and they were down to work with all of my ideas so I couldn't be any happier.

Morgan Long hoodbird headtube WM 1

ALL graphics designed by Eben Fischer.

Morgan Long hoodbird stem WM 1

Keep your eyes peeled for Morgan's matching HoodBird bars coming out in July.

Morgan Long hoodbird gussett WM 1

Double gussets on top and bottom tubes, along with a F-IT stamped bottom gusset.

"I knew I wanted something a little different in a frame than what Fit offered so we got to work making my ideas a reality. I can't say enough how nice it is to work with everyone at Fit and to be able to have my signature frame made right there in house at The Building." - Morgan Long

For More info: fitbikeco.com | danscomp.com

Previous

Felix Prangenberg - Youth of Today Interview

When your Dad looks out for the cops while you get a clip...

Next

Cop Lag is Real

What does it take to get some Bone Deth VX clips for a DVD?

Related Content

Brandon-Begin-Jordan-Hango-Morgan-Long-Justin-Spriet-Fit-BMX-Pro
Play Button

Welcome to FIT Pro video

Begin, Hango, Long, Spriet celebrate in style...

4 Feb 2015
van-homan-holy-fit-screen-shot
Play Button

HOLY FIT Trailer

Fit continues their tradition of epic video releases...

5 Sep 2014
Dan Conway fullbike CM

Setups: Dan Conway and his FIT Savage

"Half the dudes on Fit are now riding one"

2 Jun 2015
trick-fix-flow
Play Button

Trick Fix - Holy FIT - Flow Squad

Five clips from Long, Borio, Marino, Barrett, and Blair...

13 Feb 2015
Morgan-Long-Hood-Bird-Fit-Promo
Play Button

Fit - Morgan Long Hoodbird Frame Promo

All killer. No filler. Taking flight on the Hoodbird

14 Sep 2015
HOLY FIT VAN STEW 1

VAN HOMAN HAS SAVED US AGAIN

Seven Facts About Van Homan’s Holy Fit and Criminal Mischief Sections You Probably Don’t Know

5 Sep 2014
Jordan-Hango-bank-kickout-bmx-portugal-FM

Jordan Hango - Question Everything

Hangin' with a new Canadian Beast

12 Dec 2014
Nrkjfj Xh67 Ihqdefault
Play Button

'F-it' Full Video

Flashback to Fit's first full-length...

2 Jan 2015
Bengo-nosemanual-bmx-lisbon-FM

Photo Journal: FIT UK In Lisbon

Parting the water with FIT in Portugal...

8 Dec 2014
https://www.sourcebmx.com/?rfsn=4772610.92bf38f

Latest Content

6c2 B7 Z Euk4chqdefault
Play Button

Kanode Knows - Mike Mastroni

Talking creativity, on and off the bike

18 Mar 2024
5 Cqu E Bo Ija Ehqdefault
Play Button

'LOST IN TRANSLATION'

MARWAN AYARI - DIMITRIS PAP - NICO ESTEBAN

18 Mar 2024
X Z2zqyx JS8 Ehqdefault
Play Button

JACK GRUBER | UNITED ‘A while between drinks’

Canberra and Melbourne

18 Mar 2024
Gg B Xdx Hq EB Ihqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: New Teamrider!

Das New Rider

18 Mar 2024
R6 Yfqo Kvhiwhqdefault
Play Button

Jordan Richardson - 'SPROUT' - Eclat

Cali AM action

18 Mar 2024
D Lh0g8 D Enl8hqdefault
Play Button

RIDING HURRICANE SPOTS WITH TREY JONES

Floating pools, broken concrete slabs, and toppled stair sets

16 Mar 2024
Y6njc H Wd Zf8hqdefault
Play Button

THIRTY - KINK BMX

Sit back and enjoy 25 minutes of the really really good stuff

16 Mar 2024
HWX0v Hu O Ho8hqdefault
Play Button

LUX BMX BIKE ADVICE - How to Bunny Hop with Tim Storey

Learning the most crucial BMX moves.

15 Mar 2024
N Tx M4 R Nij8ghqdefault
Play Button
T Fs R Oz F Eoe Uhqdefault
Play Button

FIT PROxFILE: MAX MILLER

Breaking down Max's last six years

15 Mar 2024
Z Vag X0 Idso Ehqdefault
Play Button

BENNY ABEYTA - LOVE LETTER

Flat out

15 Mar 2024
Wef Hz QSP Sghqdefault
Play Button

Cadets Backyard Session

Young Rippers!

14 Mar 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024
Dig2023stack

DIG BOOK #2023

NOW SHIPPING

8 Jan 2024
Wheel mill winter welcome 24 WIDE

EVENT NEWS: The Wheel Mill - Winter Welcome Jam 2024

Shelter from the storm.

19 Dec 2023
TJP WTP 22 6

SETUPS: TYSON JONES-PENI'S 22" CHAOS MACHINE

"I'm not saying the 22" will become the new standard, but it might help some riders stay on a BMX, rather than switching to MTB."

18 Dec 2023
TAMERICA tam roastin BSD 2023 mcgrath 11

The TAMerica Interview

The USA didn't know what was coming!

12 Dec 2023
Wethepeople THE SWAMPMASTER matt black 01 web

PRODUCTIVITY: WETHEPEOPLE SWAMP MASTER

Bouncy BMX Time

11 Dec 2023
Jj book cover crop

PRINT MATTERS: The Dirt in Our Skin

When BMX and literature collide

7 Dec 2023
Sniper Lever Yuma 11

ARE BRAKES COMING BACK?! - THE ECLAT SNIPER LEVER

Read what brakey boy Yuma Oshimo had to say on. the subject.

21 Nov 2023
UWS casey thumb
Uws video teaser dig this thumb

UWS: BMX ON A MISSION - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

A new online street contest

17 Nov 2023
Cliche Alexander DSCF1108

CLICHÉ CREW - 'SNAPSHOTS OF BERLIN'

They're back!

10 Nov 2023