The Return Of the Redneck

Then and Now with an S&M Classic

4 Sep 2019

S&M Bikes are OFFICIAL DIG PARTNERS

Back in 2012 our DIG 'Legends' issue ran a feature on seven 'legendary products of the modern era' and the first product on that list, the infamous S&M Redneck which first appeared in 1992, has recently had a limited run re-issue with both camp-on and shafted options.

Here's a closer look at both and, a reminder of our our original magazine piece on a product that has been leaving some heavy influential footprints in BMX for over 27 years.

RETRO CLAMP-ON REDNECK

Thanks to Dia-Compe’s new A-headset, the REDNECK shed its shaft in 1995 and would forever remain clamped-on. Now for a limited time only, S&M are manufacturing the original clamp-on REDNECK.

• Body and cap CNC machined from 6061 T-6 aluminum and then anodized.

• High quality 5/16” X 18 TPI hardware.

• ¼” Hex Key Allen Wrench included.

• 100% MADE IN USA

Fork Compatibility: 1 1/8″ Threadless Steerer only Rise: 5mm / inverted 27mm Reach: 53mm Weight: 14 oz / .41 kg

MORE INFO

RETRO SHAFTED REDNECK

In 1992, there wasn’t a good, front-load stem in existence. The REDNECK was created to remedy that. The brainchild of Kim Boyle, the original shafted model was a high-quality version of the popular, but weak, GT Mallet stem. Moniker by Moeller, fork strengthening wedge by Alex Leech, and Wedgie Jackson name by Paul Green. Teamwork made the dream work! And now for a limited time only, the shafted REDNECK is back.

• Body and cap CNC machined from 6061 T-6 aluminum and then anodized.

• Shaft is manufactured from 4130 Cro-Mo with straight pattern knurling on top portion and then black oxide coated to prevent corrosion.

• Deep-seated Mechanical Lock Press Fit of shaft into body for unmatched strength.

• Extra-long “Wedgie Jackson” for optimal stem lock and unsurpassed fork reinforcement.

• High quality 5/16” X 18tpi hardware.

• ¼” Hex Key Allen Wrench included.

• 100% MADE IN USA

• Fork compatibility: 1″ threaded steerer tube only Rise: 5mm Reach: 53mm Weight: 1 lb 7 oz / .64 kg

MORE INFO

REMEMBERING THE ORIGINAL REDNECK

“Back in the day you could buy bars with a Slurpee holder in the crossbar, or stems with hinged Potts mod linkage built in to them. I didn’t need that stuff back then, and I don’t need a 30” wide bar or a stem that required an owners-manual now.” – Chris Moeller / S&M Owner/Originator

The Redneck stem was also developed out of necessity in 1992 at a time when most bikes were still using cold forged quill stems. The body on these would often spin off the shaft without any warning, making getting through a set of trails like a game of Russian Roulette. The original Redneck still used the old style one inch quill style fitting, but the body was CNC machined out of a single block of aluminium and used a front load dropping design allowing for more insertion with the shaft/body. The very first shafted versions had the body heated up and the shaft shrunk in liquid nitrogen before they were pressed together for a tighter fit. Twenty years later the Redneck has been through several cosmetic changes, most notably the transition into the modern day clamp-on style stem that happened with the switch over to the stronger 1 1/8th fork in the late 90’s, but the current re-incarnation still holds true to the no-nonsense 6 bolt principal that is still favoured globally. - DIG Issue 90, Sept/Oct 2012.