Have you always ridden bigger bars, or have your bars gotten bigger over the years?
For the most part, I've always had bigger bars. However, there was an awkward two to three year period when I ran Primo "Mustache" bars. I remember being younger and having a pair of Auburn handlebars (see accompanying photo) and I swear those things had a nine degree rise, I actually remember getting made fun of for having such big bars. Around the age of 14 I got a pair of "Slam" bars and have had similar bars ever since.

I know you've maintained a good fistful of seatpost for a long time now. Have you ever been tempted to lower your seat or are you content with your seat height?
I'm content with my current seat post height. Honestly, where my seat is at now is actually a bit low for me. People always trip out when I tell them that, but keep in mind, I'm 6'3". One of my favorite tricks is the suicide double-truck and I almost never do it anymore because my seat is too low for good pinching. When you do single bars or bar-catch-bar you don't need too secure of a pinch, but when you leave your hands off for an extended period (like during the double-truck) you need a solid, comfortable pinch to keep your bike from falling out from under you. That being said, you might see an even higher post on my bike soon. On a side note, I wish more people would raise their seats up and do straight double bars again. Personally, I think straight doubles look way better than bar-catch-bar.

Courtesy Chris DoyleChris Doyle (on the left), his infamous Auburn handlebars and Ryan Barrett (on the right.)

How do you feel about the big bars/slammed seat craze?
I agree that a bigger bar and a lower seat is a nice look for a BMX bike. However, I'm not a fan of extremes. I hate the look of a bike that has enormous bars and a non-existent seat post -- it looks whack. To nobody's surprise I'm sure, I like everything in moderation.

Have you ever taken your brakes off, or thought about riding brakeless?
I've never given much thought to being brakeless. It's not so much being brakeless that would give me trouble but being brake lever-less would suck to get used to. I remember an old Dig with a Keith Gower interview where he said, "People that don't ride with their finger on their lever suck." As far back as I can remember, I've always rode with my index finger resting on my brake lever. Anytime I've ridden death grip (full finger grip on both grips) it's felt really goofy and awkward. I once snapped my brake cable and didn't put a new one on until two months later. However, I taped my brake lever in a position so it wouldn't move and I had somewhere to rest my finger -- that was the closest I've ever come to being brakeless. Plus, the look and feel of a lever is rad to me for some reason, maybe because it makes me think of motocross or something; part of that whole "keeping the MX in B-MX" I suppose.

What makes you keep your brakes on?
Fufanus, hurricanes, and the fact that riding my local trails would be terrifying without brakes. Possible, but terrifying. If you've been to Hazelwood, then you know what I'm talking about.

Does Kink still manufacture your signature frame, or are you on a different setup now?
Kink still manufactures my signature frame. It started out as the "Farside" but is now the "International." Honestly, I don't know how much different it is from the other guys (that ride for Kink) signature frames other than it comes available in a longer top tube and a maybe a mellower head tube. Oh, and brake mounts on the chainstays. Okay, so maybe it is a bit different. Regardless, I love the frame and I haven't heard any complaints from those who ride them.

Do you ever take your pegs off, or do they stay on all the time?
Pegs are the one thing that actually change quite a bit on my bike. Sometimes I run 'em and sometimes I don't. It depends on what trip I'm on and what time of year it is. If I'm home and it's summer than I usually don't run pegs, there's no need. On trips, I keep 'em on the whole time because you never know what you'll be riding and it's good to be ready.

Are you ever tempted to ride four pegs so you can rekindle your flatland career?
You know, not for flatland but I've thought about putting an extra bike together that's completely outside of my comfort level; smaller, low seat, bigger bars, and four pegs, maybe even a freecoaster. I've been saying I was gonna do it for years but have never gotten around to it. I'll let you know if it ever happens. It might be fun to do a little Web edit on a bike like that, just for kicks. Maybe I'll just try skateboarding instead.