https://kinkbmx.com/collections/handlebars

Then & Now: Brian Castillo and the Volume Dinosaur Frame

Celebrating The 20th Anniversary of a Volume Classic

24 Oct 2019

Castillo New Vs Old Cut

Volume Bikes are Official DIG Partners

Out with the old and in with the new? Well... not quite. Street innovator Brian Castillo and Volume Bikes have announced a 20th anniversary release of their classic Dinosaur frame, only this time it won't weigh over 7lbs and will come with a much more modern twist. We sat him down and talked about the fourth, and latest, incarnation of this long-standing classic, and found out a few of his thoughts on how things have changed over the years.

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

When did the first Dinosaur frame come out? It was a bit of a beast right?

First one came out around 2001. It was quite a tank, weighing in at 7lbs 2oz.

What’s the highest price you’ve seen one popping up for on eBay or BMX museum?

I’ve honestly never gone to look at what prices are of older Volume products. Maybe I will now…

How many variations of the frame have there been? Can you give us a run down of each?

There’s been four now, including the new 2019 limited edition anniversary version. Since the specs always remained the same, there were only minor changes in the beginning. The first one was of the cartoon looking dinosaur that was released in 2001. It featured all straight gauge tubing, American BB shell and an external threadless headset. In 2003 was the backwards evolution of man to dinosaur, featured smaller 6mm dropouts, euro bb and an integrated headtube with gyro tabs. The third generation in 2005 was of the dead legends of rock. Not much changed on that one, except the tubes and everything else went down a size to save weight. The new 2019 model comes in 21” and has a shorter rear end of 13.25” and full heat treated CRMO tubing with dual gussets in the front. The other specs on it feature what I like: A 9.25” seat tube height, bottom wishbone, and a 75º head tube. Simple and clean!

Brian Dino 02

How much has the geometry changed?

In the early years, it didn’t change much. Only little things like dropouts getting smaller, later going into the integrated head tube, euro bb, smaller tubing, and etc. Since I personally never steered away from a short front end and long rear, the overall specs remained the same on the earlier versions. The 2019 version is of the latest/ greatest specs so that any new rider would appreciate it. Don’t think I could ride one of the older Dinosaur’s these days with a 20.5” TT and a 15” chainstay! Holy shit, what was I thinking?

How has the manufacturing process changed over the years?

Volume was one of the first “core brands”, behind Hoffman to go to Taiwan with their products. From the start it was f-n hard working out all the kinks and dialing in what engineering process worked and what didn’t. Nowadays, the template has been made and it’s too easy to go there and make anything. In the beginning we only used straight gauge tubing, now everything is either butted or oval/ribbed for strength and weight savings. Overall, I think BMX frames kept simple and strong is key to being timeless. Think that goes to all BMX products in general though.

You did the graphics on the first one right? Was that the same for this latest model?

Yes, I did all the graphics for the Dinosaur frames. I look back at some of the art, like the very first Dinosaur graphic and cringe. The latest model was the second generation that I liked a lot more. Ideally, it was supposed to be the first graphics on the new one but I just couldn’t do it. The guys at the office tried to convince me but stuck to my guns.

Volume 05

What’s changed in your life since that first frame came out 20 years ago?

I guess the biggest is that BMX isn’t my 100% now. I remember it being 24/7 in my blood. I used to get crazy if I missed a day of riding and get all depressed and pissy. I have a family now and try to stay involved as much as I can with them. I don’t ride all that much anymore. Between work, coaching little league and everything else, I stay busy in other ways. Still try to get out and ride but definitely not like it used to be.

How much has BMX changed over that time do you think?

I don’t think it’s changed all that much. The tricks have obviously evolved into something crazier and on bigger things. Some things I can’t even comprehend! The industry and the products seem to go back and forth. To me, my era of getting a BMX bike meant freedom to escape your house, parents and hang out with your friends and have fun in the outdoors. The biggest change these days I see, is kids want the opposite of that; kids stay in, play Fortnite (or whatever) and you have to drag them out of the house to do anything. Hopefully it’s just a generation thing and kids will get back to that mindset of escaping their homes to play outside and jump on their bikes.

What type of rider is this latest model aimed at?

Since I always rode a bit of everything, it’s still aimed for the rider that likes to ride any terrain.

Brian Whip 03
Dinosaur 2019

SPECS: VOLUME's 20th Anniversary Brian Castillo Dinosaur Frame

• Full Heat Treated CRMO Tubing. Double butted front triangle

• Top Tube: 21″

• Chainstay: 13″ (slammed), 13.25 center

• BB height: 11.7″

• Seat Tube height: 9.25″

• Head Tube Angle: 75°

• Seat Tube Angle: 71°

• Seat Post: 25.4

• Headtube: Integrated (45°X45° Campy Spec)

• Brake Mounts: Removable seatstay mounts

• Dropouts: 5mm

• Color: Black Chrome

• Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz

Vlm Dino4

For more info: head to Volume Bikes or ask for Volume at these official DIG partner stores worldwide: Source BMX | Bros Store | Kunstform | Lux BMX

Next

Felix Prangenberg Joins ECLAT

"I’m super thankful to have people like them behind my back"

Related Content

Noah Miranda Turn Up
Play Button

Noah Miranda - Turn Up The "VLM"

Volume's Young Gun does Woodward

22 Jul 2019
Volume Pacific Northwest Tour
Play Button

VOLUME - Pacific Northwest Tour

Hitting up some shop stops and NW parks

23 Jun 2019
Markell Jones
Play Button

VOLUME - Markell Jones Welcome Clip

New Team Addition

24 Jul 2019
Pj Martini
Play Button

VOLUME - PJ Martini 2019

PJ's Back!

15 Jul 2019
By B4 Ywc Qr
Play Button

VOLUME 6 - DBCN

The Legendary Dream Boys do Barcelona

8 Aug 2019
Volume Pacific Northwest Tour B Sides
Play Button

VOLUME - Pacific Northwest Tour B-SIDES

Get a BTS look at Volume's latest trip

3 Jul 2019
Sam Nuvlv
Play Button

Sam Chabert - Nulvl 2019

One for the classic street heads

17 Jul 2019
https://uk.khebikes.com/

Latest Content

Wa Qn E Ef QJ2 Uhqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX - Cody Nemeth Bike Check - 2025

High Desert's steed

25 Apr 2025
Lpc8 V Fo8reohqdefault
Play Button

RED BULL 'FEATURED' | WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS

Progress Progress Progress

25 Apr 2025
Os4b H 9m7m Yhqdefault
Play Button

MEDIOCRE AT BEST II - DANIMAL & HITTERS

Danimal, Bryan Baker, River Waldren, Chandler Golden, Josh Wingate, & Chris Boswell

24 Apr 2025
Jungle chile
Play Button

Jungle Trails 2025 - Chile

South American trail dogz

24 Apr 2025
F CFOO Rq D7z4hqdefault
Play Button

MATAMURO | DIG LOCALS

Straight Outta Chile

24 Apr 2025
Q Dl20 Fs S6 R8hqdefault
Play Button
C Lz ET Shg F Bchqdefault
Play Button

UNDER THE RADAR | DIG LOCALS

Krakow, Poland

22 Apr 2025
Gfo TITWV1 V Qhqdefault
Play Button

Driven by Profile with Terry Adams - Episode One

Precision in Motion

22 Apr 2025
Zd Pi K Dlpzu Yhqdefault
Play Button

JASON ENNS ON S&M BIKES!

Essential Viewing

22 Apr 2025
Bruno foreign thumbnail
Play Button

'FOREIGN' - BRUNO HOFFMANN | VANS EUROPE

Fresh Hoffy from LA, Copenhagen, and Barcelona

21 Apr 2025
Ween
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

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