Stranger

Back in may, Stranger decided that they would give Charlie Crumlish a signature freecoaster called the “Coastersaurus“.  It’s Similar to the KHE style coasters but with a steel 3-piece female axle and a smoother looking non-drive side bearing cone.

Since the Coastersaurus has been in testing for a little while, I decided to talk to Charlie Crumlish to see how testing is Progressing.  Here’s a picture of Charlie’s personal hub from his bike check on the BMXFU site.

OK, lets start out with the basic information – Name, Age, Years riding?

Charlie Crumlish, 24, gotta be getting near 15 years of bunnyhopping

I know you’ve been riding for Stranger for a while now.  How were you approached to be on the team?

Adam22 asked me if I’d be interested in riding for Stranger because he had teamed up with Rich on a few other projects.  Obviously I was down.  At the time I was on Sunday flow and Stranger sounded like a good opportunity.

How long have you been riding a freecoaster, and what are some of the types you have ridden?

I had a Poverty coaster when I was like 16 that I rode for 6 months before I blew it up.  didn’t put another one on til April 2011.  Rode an unnamed company’s prototype for about 2 months before I broke the inner aluminum axle.

When did the idea come about for a Stranger freecoaster, and was thatinitiated by you or Rich?

Things with Stranger started moving forward and Rich knew I was loving the freecoaster hub so he asked if I wanted him to put a signature one on the Stranger order form.  Said F- yea and told him to make it a 3 piece axle without the adjustable slack system.  That shit broke quick on the prototype I was riding, cause the adjustment grub screw made the actual female stud super thin walled.  Also, the one I’d blown up had an aluminum inner axle which pretty much sheared off at the driver so I told him to replace that with a steel one.  Freecoasters start to blow up when the axle gets bent so this 3 piece design helps eliminate that.

How much slack do you like to run?

I run full slack.  I hate the way engaging a coaster feels, makes me cringe.  Feel like I’m hurting the poor guy.

How long has the Stranger freecoaster been in testing?

I’ve been on my Stranger coaster since may, I think?  Few hundred peg trick clips later and it’s still going strong.

How many people on the team are testing it out currently?

Zack Krejmas, Eric Bahlman, and I think Rich himself might have one.

What kind of options are going to be available on the coaster?  RHD/LHD 36/48?  colors?

RHD and LHD, black and polished aluminum.  9t driver, might do 10 down the road if there is enough demand.

When is the expected release date?

Out soon!  Early next year.

Here’s Charlies recent Dub edit made with “b-roll” clips from his upcoming part in the BMXFU5 DVD, in which he is riding the Coastersaurus.  You can keep up to date on Charlie by checking the Stranger Website and following BMXFU on twitter - Warning – Not exactly safe for work or childrens…