https://www.danscomp.com/

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...

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

EtniesATL DIG BMX AW NathanWilliams-18

Photo Journal: Etnies Atlanta

Bringing Heat and Broken Feet.

24 Jul 2015
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
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
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
Etnies Malaga 7
Play Button

We Have The Spots - etnies X DIG

So You Want To Film A BMX Video?

21 Nov 2016
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
Dave Parrick 2001 D18 Sc No Border

Dave Parrick - Under Your Influence

Stew Johnson talks 'Nowhere Fast' & etnies 'Forward'

8 Jul 2016
Ruben Purple Fufanu Dig 16 Lettering Webfinal

Ruben Alcantara: The Master Re-Mastered

His etnies Forward and Grounded Parts Reborn

28 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
Reynolds Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 2

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 5: Clint Reynolds

Clint reflects on his time riding the wooden paradise of Deah...

7 Sep 2016
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
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
https://us.bsdforever.com/collections/bsd-revolution/products/revolution-hub

Latest Content

9d T Sy Z Qqn7 Ahqdefault
Play Button

'SOME OF WEEN' - WEEN CREW

A Week in Melbourne

20 Apr 2025
RFT9 G34 LP9whqdefault
Play Button

DATE NITE - "THIS WONT LAST" - FULL DVD

Dayton, Ohio

20 Apr 2025
Q6j r35drxchqdefault
Play Button

SEOUL BAP

With Mir Ng and locals

18 Apr 2025
4 Ot YI9v Tf Zkhqdefault
Play Button

BILLY PERRY - "BMX HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD-WIRED INTO ME"

BMX Direct interviews Billy Perry

18 Apr 2025
Qr LDL Lr3zighqdefault
Play Button

'CHECKLIST' | THE CUT BMX

BANGERS!

17 Apr 2025
6 Ai GO7 Gs MU Qhqdefault
Play Button
Q6j r35drxchqdefault
Play Button

SEOUL BAP by Mir Ng

A BMX Travel Video

17 Apr 2025
X6i7kxw65i Yhqdefault
Play Button

RED BULL 'FEATURED' | MENS HIGHLIGHTS

Big air in Manchester

16 Apr 2025
Hk IZN Oy KRP Ahqdefault
Play Button

WAR PARTY - WEBEFILMING - 008

The latest from down under

15 Apr 2025
Kqxd06e Cr6chqdefault
Play Button

FRACTURE - 'FERIAS'

On the loose in Lisbon, Portugal

15 Apr 2025
0 C Hsc8 Uww D Ihqdefault
Play Button

RED BULL FEATURED STREET JAM

Presented by BNG BNG MCR in association with DIG

14 Apr 2025
6ir G r40 Ishqdefault
Play Button

Joe Smith- Watch This

Raw, real, and all Joe

14 Apr 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

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
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024