Behind the man behind Clayborn
bmxultra.com:
How did you first get involved in BMX?
Richard: I saw it in texas while visiting my brother, he use to race MX
for Honda on the florida circuit.... and when I went to texas to visit
him, he took me to a track to watch a race.
bmxultra.com: When was that?
Richard: like around 81-82 I think. When I came back to alabama, I didn't
know where a track was, or how to find one. So in 85 I finally found out
that Alabama had 6 tracks.
bmxultra.com: What placing did you finish in your first race?
Richard: I got 2nd... I still have the trophy...lol.
bmxultra.com: Did you race any of the national events?
Richard: No not until, 87.
bmxultra.com: What was your highest nationals finish?
Richard: I was a consitant 5th in my mains...I was top 20 most of the
time at years end. I really wasnt good, but got some good breaks.
bmxultra.com: You are Alabamas BMX state commisioner right? What do
you do as commisioner?
Richard: I over see the state quailifers and championship head up the
programs we run in the state NBL programs.
bmxultra.com: To make sure no one cheats?
Richard: Well, not really on the cheating, but I am the national director,
but just on a state level
bmxultra.com: Is there a website for Alabama BMX?
Richard: check out www.alabamabmx.com
Some Clayborn History
bmxultra.com: How did you get involved in Clayborn?
Richard: As an investor with Bill Madden
bmxultra.com: Hey...so where you racing when you first got involved
with Clayborn?
Richard: Yeah I was, I had just got back into it, after some time off
for school.
bmxultra.com: When was that?
Richard: 94 or 95 I'm not too sure.
bmxultra.com: Was there anyone else involved?
Richard: Nope. He bought it from the original owner and needed some cash
to get it going, so I stepped in.
bmxultra.com: Who was the original owner?
Richard: Scott...something...I can't think of his last name.
bmxultra.com: Ok, so when did Bill leave Clayborn?
Richard: In 2002, I bought him out of his half.
bmxultra.com: Did he leave to start Xtrskn?
Richard: No he had that going long before we got Clayborn going.
Clayborn today
BMXUltra: How would you describe how Clayborn fits into the BMX industry?
A small-medium manufacturer?
Richard: We are gearing back to the small company we were where, the
customer service is second to none and as always the best frames and accessories
on the market. So, I would say we are a small company, we are looking
to make on a certain number of each size of our frames and when they sell
out, they are gone until next year, so they aren't flooding the market.
bmxultra.com: Ok, so recently you made some changes...tell us what
is going on with Clayborn now
Richard: We're going to continue making top quality frames and products.
We'll add another cruiser size, we have a junior, expert and pro. I want
to add a true pro size and make our current pro the pro XL...There is
a lot in store for Clayborn this year.
bmxultra.com: You're not revealing any of your secrets?
Richard: Well, I will at a later date, just in case something falls through...
bmxultra.com: Ok, so tell us about the unusual design of your frames,
how did you come up with it?
Richard: It was more Bill doing the designs, then he would run them by
me. After talking to a few engineers, we realized that the small gusset
bar we have actually takes much of the shock from a cased jump. With that
the shock waves are very short and doesn't add any wear and tear to the
main frames.
bmxultra.com: Will you stick with that design for a while then?
Richard: Yeah, if it isn't broke why fix it? Oh just a little insight
to something new, we are redesigning our CRX, which will be 100% race
chromoly frame and a new street/dirt frame as well.
bmxultra.com: It's your first chromoly frame in a while isn't it?
Richard: Yeah it is...
bmxultra.com: what have you been using for your frames?
Richard: T-6 6061 aluminum. There is a slight possiblity of a little T&A
happening here, meaning Titanium and Aluminum...keep ya eyes peeled for
that.
bmxultra.com: made in the USA?
Richard: Yeah all our stuff is 100% made in the USA
bmxultra.com: There would be very few companies in the USA with their
frames 100% USA built now right?
Richard: Well, some claim to be, but the truth is many go to Taiwan,
but there are some, S&M, Fit, I think Standard still is, but I am not
sure of all that are or aren't, I just know a few that claim to be but
aren't.
bmxultra.com: What do you do aside from the frames? Forks and handlebars?
Richard: Yeah bars, stems, forks, and working on a new bar end and chain
tensioner.
bmxultra.com: The forks are chro-mo right?
Richard: Yeah they are.....
The Race Team
bmxultra.com: How many riders do you have on your team?
Richard: Barry Nobles 15 expert, Evan Bartlett 17 expert, John Andrews
21-24 expert, and we are currently talking to a AA Pro to add to the line
up.
bmxultra.com: Who are the teams co-sponsors?
Richard: Right now we have a few co-sponors, but looking for more,
they are, Cane Creek,
FLY Racing Products,
UGP, Kovachi
Wheels, XTRSKN,
and MP mini, all of which have great web sites, so check them out.
bmxultra.com: How is the new team going this year?
Richard: Doing really good.
bmxultra.com: How much influence do your team riders have in the geometry/design
of your products?
Richard: Some, but to be honest, my riders would ride anything, they are
good and they love to ride, but they do ask or show me ideas some.
What's new?
bmxultra.com: How's the rework of your website coming along?
Richard: Very well, we've just got to get some frame and rider pictures
done and we will be up and running.
bmxultra.com: Sounds good...have the frames changed much?
Richard: No, not at all.
bmxultra.com: Have the jersey or the stickers?
Richard: No, we are getting some new art work for the t-shirts. But not
changing the frame stickers or let me say I don't plan to, but you never
know.
bmxultra.com: Do you export at all at the moment?
Richard: No, we are going to sale direct on the internet, so I am thinking
that when we do that, any one anywhere can get a frame if they want one.
bmxultra.com: Is that going to be the only way people can buy clayborn
bikes/frames?
Richard: No, at the races we are working with 2 of the big vendors.
bmxultra.com: Are you going to be teaming up with the major websites
to direct traffic to the online sales?
Richard: Yes, keep an eye out.
For more information about Clayborn Bicycles, you can email them at clayborn1@aol.com or check out their website at www.claybornbmx.com (The site was down when we wrote the interview, keep checking back if it's still down when you read this.)