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

Setups: Ruben Alcantara

A close look into the steed of one of the most legendary riders ever...

8 Dec 2016

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 10

Words and photos by Rob Dolecki

Ruben. Everyone knows who's first name that is. A DIG staple since the late 90s. A true innovator on so many levels. A real definition of the borderline cliché term "influencer".

Here's a glimpse at the whip that Mr. Alcantara continues to use as the tool to display his silky smooth style, as well as a little insight into how the evolution into an aging BMX'er has been for him. Not that he's really slowing down that much...

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 08

Frame: Terrible One Ruben  TT 21.25”

Forks: Fly Agua

Bars:  Terrible One prototype rise (9.2” rise, 14-degree backsweep, 3-degree upsweep)

Grips: Fly Ruben

Stem: Fly front load

Seat/post:  Fly tripod post/ Fly-etnies collab seat

Cranks:  Fly Dolmen, 180mm

Pedals: Fly Ruben

Sprocket: Fly Tractor, 28T

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 09

Wheels: Fly cassette prototype 9T, with Fly Classic rims

Tires: Fly Ruben Rampera 2.35 front and 2.15 rear

Chain: Fly

Brakes: Fly Springhanger

Brake Lever: Fly Manual

Brake cable: Fly Manual

Kicks:etnies Marana XT

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 11

When it comes time to designing signature parts how involved are you?

A hundred percent start to finish.

Favorite part?

The forks, because the color is cool.

Oldest part?

Cassette hub; I’ve had it for at least six years. It was the second prototype.

Newest part?

I put the stem and sprocket on at the same time.

You have had numerous signature parts over the years, what would you say is your favorite?

The tires, because how it came out, how cool it looked; I was so stoked, back in 2004. I look at my bike today and I still like it.

Every rider has that one part they just love; if you had to pick one you’d never change, what would it be?

Maybe the bars, because not many companies make it with the angles I like. Things can be slightly different and you can get used to it, but bars…

You like the 14 degree sweep?

Yeah, I had 13 degree sweep and one day we tried 14, and 15. 15 was cool for just cruising or whatever, but maybe it was too much. I figured out the balance.

Tell me about your all-time favorite bike?

Probably a Huffy I had. Because the time it was the first time I put together 36-spoke wheels with bigger rims, and the frame was kind of like a race frame and light, and a smaller sprocket. That was when I could feel a change all in one; this was maybe 1999. I might have had some clips in "Forward" on that bike.

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 06

What do you like riding these days?

Normally bowls and trails. It’s not that hard on your body. I still love it when find a street spot, but the next day I can feel it.

How is your "Chapters" part wrapping up?

I feel like I missed a couple of good opportunities because my back got messed up on a trip. The last week on this trip I got hurt. I don’t really know how much stuff I have. I’m maybe halfway there? I need to keep working on it for sure.

You’ve had back issues for a few years; how are you doing now?

It was very good for a while. I don’t know if people remember, but I had that weird thing with my jaw and neck. I couldn’t really fix it because to get the right bite, I would have had to get surgery.  The last few months, I feel like something kind of moved a little bit again. I don’t have much strength; it’s hard to ride. My body gets too stressed out. Hopefully I'll figure it out now that I’m staying in Malaga for a while. The thing is the days when I feel good, I feel great. I don’t feel that much different with age. I feel I can do anything the same. It sucks when you don’t feel like that. You love it so much you still doing it. Even when I filmed for "Grounded", my back was so messed up. When you don’t have pain, you want to ride so much more.

When do you think age may become a factor?

I feel if you are healthy, who knows? McCoy is almost 50…

and still doing 900s on vert.

I think you can still ride great at 50. DMC might be an exceptional case. You have to take care of yourself, eat well, stretch. I feel like if I don’t ride for a little bit I lose a lot.  

Plans for the rest of the year and into winter?

Now, when the good weather starts in Malaga, I’ll be riding the park more and filming there. I would like to make another trip to the U.S. also.

Alcantara Bmx Setups Spain 01

Classic Ruben style at El Cable Trails in his homeland.

Ruben Alcantara is supported by Official DIG Partners: etnies | Flybikes

Previous

Productivity - Eclat Winter 16/17

Will Those Forks Fit Down The Chimney?

Next

Our Problem With Authority

Is our problem with authority more deep-rooted than we think.

Related Content

Ruben alcantara BMX face tight VP

Re Print: DIG Legends - Ruben Alcantara

“He sees things very differently, and what makes sense to him, leaves most people scratching their head.” - Joe Rich

22 Jan 2015
Alcantara Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 5

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 3: Ruben Alcantara

The natural flow master speaks about his time spent at this backyard paradise.

7 Jun 2016
Fly-barcelona-Stefan-Lantschner-close-up

At Home In Barcelona With Fly Bikes

More flow than you can shake a stick at

25 Sep 2015
Hawk Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 1

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 4: Chase Hawk

Hawk's permanent boost button came from somewhere...

15 Jul 2016
Fly Bikes In Portugal - Photo Gallery
Fly Bikes In Portugal - Photo Gallery
Fly Bikes In Portugal - Photo Gallery
Fly Bikes In Portugal - Photo Gallery

Fly Bikes In Portugal - Photo Gallery

This place has spots upon spots...

28 Nov 2014
Ruben Purple Fufanu Dig 16 Lettering Webfinal

Ruben Alcantara: The Master Re-Mastered

His etnies Forward and Grounded Parts Reborn

28 Jun 2016
jason enns bmx WM

Re Print: My Favourite Photo

Featuring Joe 'Butcher' Kowalski, Ian Morris, Brian Castillo, Jason Enns and Keith Terra

1 Jan 2015
Dig  Bmx  Videos  Of  The  Year 2015

DIG - VIDEOS OF THE YEAR - 2015

The ones that caught our eyeballs!

25 Dec 2015
Rich Bmx Etnies T 1 Ramp Austin 3

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 1: Joe Rich And Ryan Corrigan

14 Years of the Temple Of Roast comes to an end...

22 Apr 2016
Dugan Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 7

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 6: Tom Dugan

The Duganator talks about good vibes and figuratively growing up amidst some legendary Skatelite...

20 Sep 2016
EtniesATL DIG BMX AW NathanWilliams-18

Photo Journal: Etnies Atlanta

Bringing Heat and Broken Feet.

24 Jul 2015
DIG Legends BMX alternative 2

Re Print: Alternative Legends of the DIG era

Featuring Josh Stricker, Jimmy Levan, Paul Buchanan and Taj Mihelich

4 Dec 2014
https://shop.odysseybmx.com/collections/odyssey-bags?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Latest Content

O MO H Um4wbshqdefault
Play Button

FRACTURE 'VISIONS OF LIGHT'

Felix Prangenberg, Kilian Reichmeyer, Linda Grabner & More

21 Nov 2024
W Jm5qjo 8 M Qhqdefault
Play Button

LOVENOTE - Cult x Capital mix

Alive in the streets

21 Nov 2024
X3 E Zq Dt Sq Zchqdefault
Play Button

Felipe Manerim - "A rotina que eu quero"

Doing it for Vans

21 Nov 2024
L ZE5 CL Rl Lc4hqdefault
Play Button
Xv Y Zs Omx S8hqdefault
Play Button

RAWER CREW X LISBON

DIG LOCALS

20 Nov 2024
Jfcpgo HP Zb0hqdefault
Play Button

Joey Cobbs - Kanode Knows

Low Numbers

20 Nov 2024
4n R3 KT Cb M Yghqdefault
Play Button

MATT CLOSSON - BOROUGH BREAKER RALLY

Episode 4

20 Nov 2024
Xtj B8 FPWYX4hqdefault
Play Button

CLICHE JAM - Presented by The Cut BMX

'IN THE CUT'

19 Nov 2024
H N Jdlzt Ica Ihqdefault
Play Button

Magnolia 2 - "Cataclysm" full video - 2024

Cajun shredding

18 Nov 2024
976 7s3 Gq K Ehqdefault
Play Button

Tim Wood 50th Birthday

50 YEARS STRONG!

18 Nov 2024
Id Lpw Qf Xf Lghqdefault
Play Button

TAJ MIHELICH - DIG 'FRAGMENTS'

Episode 1

18 Nov 2024
Qc DO2l X9 AV Ahqdefault
Play Button

UNBOUND - an Our House BMX film

Felix Prangenberg, Kilian Roth, Bruno Hoffmann and Mo Nussbaumer

18 Nov 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024
Efise leader results

WHO WON THE €22K at E-FISE 2024 WOLVERHAMPTON?

The results are in!

12 Jul 2024
Kink 2025 bikes

PRODUCT DROP - KINK 2025 BIKES

That New New!

12 Jul 2024
DSCF5547

MIKE MASTRONI AND THE STORY BEHIND THE 'TELOMERE' VIDEO

Backstories behind the clips

24 Jun 2024
X Games California 2023 Kevin 2

X Games Ventura 2024: BMX Preview

Who, what, where and when

15 May 2024