http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

SETUPS: MAX GAERTIG AND HIS CHAOS MACHINE DISC BRAKE SETUP

"I wish to keep going forever like Brian Foster, at least until I am 60 or until DIG prints bi-monthly issues again."

3 Jan 2023

MAX bike WEB 32
wePeople eclat

Photos by Fooman

Ever since we've know German banking overlord and street legend Max Gaertig, he's been a die-hard brakeless advocate. You may have noticed you've not seen quite as much of Max out in the streets and that's because he's now usually lurking in the woods riding big ass trails. He thought it was about time to build up something a bit more suited to the dirt, and this disc brake Wethepeople / eclat rig is the result. Scroll down for more...

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
MAX WEB
Max euro
MAX bike WEB 8
MAX bike WEB 19

Since we’ve know you you’ve been brakeless. What’s with the brake? Do you still have a brakeless street setup?

For me this is a big change, but it happens at the right time. I started riding without brakes in 2000 and never felt like change was necessary since then. However, 2022 was an intense year with less sleep than usual. Also, I rode MX trails near Antwerp for the first time and the jumps there are huge. Sleep deficit made me crash a lot more on jumps, had a rough one in the end of October, and this problem combined with riding bigger trails made me consider maybe building a dirt bike with a brake at some point.

By mid-November Wethepeople Dave told me that there is a prototype bike designed by Tyson to test, with a longer frame which is something I had been asking for for a while. Only catch was that it had a disc brake. Well, I just thought that it was perfect how this aligned with my plans, so I had no objections, haha. The bike in general, but especially the long frame, is simply amazing, doing whips with it reminds me of my Warriors frame from back in the day.

Now I am riding the Chaos Machine on Dirt and in skateparks, and my Buck-bike on street.

Do you find it weird transitioning between the two? Does the trails bike feel much different?

Yes, it is very weird indeed. The Chaos Machine is much longer with high-leverage bunny hops, sooo much fun on any transition. I am flying to Barcelona next week in order to finally ride some trails with it. Afterwards, when I am going to ride street with the other bike I will probably ass-land everything for hours.

MAX bike WEB 23
MAX bike WEB 21
MAX bike WEB 14

What’s it like riding with disc brakes? Can you give us some pros and cons?

It feels crazy, the response is so quick. But most of all, I have no idea how to use it while doing tricks, I will have to learn having at least one finger on the lever mid-air before even considering doing my first fufanus. I am looking forward to it though, I have been riding a lot of street in the last two years and a little change promises to be fun. In a way, it signifies the transition to my growing up. I used to be all about alcohol and street riding, nowadays I am also interested in surviving and riding transitions.

A pro is that I will hopefully not have rough crashes anymore.

The only bad thing I can say about it is that I cannot pedal grind on the left side without seriously endangering the disc.

You've ridden the disc brake setup in the streets, right?

First time I rode the Chaos Machine was at one of my favorite street spots in Bonn called "under the bridge" (the concrete waves). If I know that a certain street spot has transitions or just more hops instead of grinding, I would bring the setup for sure.

Max rail hop
MAX bike WEB 15
MAX bike WEB 16

How are you liking those new éclat trails parts? What’s your favourite?

They are sweet, the seat is one part I particularly enjoy. It provides a comfortable lean and also looks like it belongs in the woods or in old wild west saloon.

What have you been up to these past few years?

Trying to age gracefully, middle class life, job and all. A lot of Yoga and friends make it possible for me to keep riding BMX which still is the best activity to achieve mental balance. I wish to keep going forever like Brian Foster, at least until I am 60 or until DIG prints bi-monthly issues again.

MAX bike WEB 24
MAX bike WEB 27

Previous

SETUPS: JOE JARVIS

"My bike is like a boat - high, long and wide"

Next

SETUPS: STEPHAN ATENCIO / TRIGGER FRAME

And His Wethepeople Trigger Build

https://www.profileracing.com/

Latest Content

Ci Q8en2 O1dohqdefault
Play Button

DARUMA STREET - "RICK MARUYAMA"

Toyama, Japan

12 May 2025
I Raas Pg 9 R Ihqdefault
Play Button

Road To Redbank Stop One - Elanora, QLD

LUX BMX RAW

12 May 2025
R2k IFA3uv Pghqdefault
Play Button

Driven by Profile with Terry Adams - Episode Three -

The Hub That Keeps Me Dialed

12 May 2025
Ikb7p Tv Ofq Yhqdefault
Play Button
R Ryqq4 F Pg Xghqdefault
Play Button

Checking In With Kilian Roth - Source BMX

At home in Ravensburg, Germany

9 May 2025
C0 G Unj H b I4hqdefault
Play Button

MIR NG - "TAIWANS GOT IT"

DIG LOCALS

8 May 2025
Xz0 VK8 Pt2zshqdefault
Play Button

'CHICAGRE'

Grenoble, France

7 May 2025
Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

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
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024