Freestyle BMX Pro Scotty Cranmer - The Kid Is Back! (Win Scotty's New Cranmer Bars!)

Freestyle BMX Pro Scotty Cranmer - The Kid Is Back!
By: J9 Teck of www.FactorXSite.com
Photo's: Courtesy of Felt Bikes

I recently had the privilege to interview one of my favorite Professional BMX Freestyle riders, Scotty Cranmer. The kid is sick and pulls off some of the most technical tricks ever invented. I was bummed when he got hurt and couldn’t compete in ’08. Well, it’s ’09 and Scotty’s back!

As an added bonus, Felt Bikes and FXS are giving away a pair of Scotty’s brand spankin’ new Cranmer Bars! All you have to do is upload a picture of yourself and your bike to FactorXSite.com and leave a comment below letting us know you've uploaded the pic. Remember, originality counts! It could be you chillin' next to your bike, a pic of you doing a trick, or? Be creative! The winner will be notified by email at the end of April. Get the camera’s clickin’ and may the best picture win!

J9Teck: What’s up Scotty! I really appreciate you taking time out for this interview! So, how did you get started in BMX and at what age?

Scotty: No problem! I got started really young. I was just like any other kid. I had a sweet black bike with white tires. I remember getting off the bus in kindergarten, grabbing the bike and went to do a skid in front of the other kids and I blew out the tube! It was so loud! It was pretty embarrassing.

J9Teck: Hahaha That’s pretty funny! Man, you started at such a young age. How long did it take you to land your first sponsor and who was it?

Scotty: Well, I raced before I did full fledged freestyle and did pretty good with it, so my first sponsor was technically the CJ BMX team. For Freestyle, my first sponsor was UGP. Ronnie Bonner was awesome and hooked me up when I went to my first Roots Jam as an amateur. That’s when I was about 14 or 15.

J9Teck: That’s too cool! Who are your sponsors now?

Scotty: I’m riding for Felt Bikes, Vans, Fox, Monster Energy Drink, Verizon Wireless, Pro-Tec, Duo, and Staff.

J9Teck: Man, sounds like your riding for the best of the best! You’ve been riding for such a long time now, what's your favorite moment in your BMX career so far?

Scotty: Way too many moments! Every time I’ve ridden there has been an awesome moment!

J9Teck: Hahaha! Yea, I bet there is! You’ve competed so much, so what competitions are your favorites?

Scotty: I usually enter all the Dew Tours, the X-Games, and the LG Contests.

J9Teck: Out of all the competitions you’ve participated in, how many have you won or come in the top 3?

Scotty: Geez, to be honest, I have been doing this for 7-years now. It’s hard to remember each one.

J9Teck: That’s just a very humble way to say you won a lot! What are your favorite tricks to do and have you invented any tricks yourself?

Scotty: I love tables! They feel great! I think I have invented some, but who knows?

J9Teck: I’m sure you know, but there goes Mr. Humble again! Haha! What size bike are you riding?

Scotty: I just recently went to a 21” top tube and it feels so much better.

J9Teck: That’s tight! So, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your BMX career?

Scotty: To be honest, I have never set goals for my “career”. It all came together way before I was old enough to think to the future in that way. I wasn’t the kid who wanted to be in the X-Games, I was just a kid who wanted to watch my idols.

J9Teck: That’s really cool to hear, because even for myself, I love to just get out there and ride. I like watching people like you, then hit the park and just do my thing. With that though, I have to ask: How often do you get out there and practice and what type of workout regimen do you do?

Scotty: Man, I stink. I don’t work out or any of that. I just ride wherever and whenever, just like when I was 12!

J9Teck: Dude, I wish I was that gifted! Anyone who’s into BMX knows that you broke your foot last year and was out most of ’08… What did you during that time and was it hard to sit on the sidelines?

Scotty: Being hurt SUCKED! I was bored out of my mind! I watched a lot of my friend’s ride, which really stunk. I played piano a lot and wrote a lot of songs for fun. That was my highlight of ’08.

J9Teck: That would suck. Haha! Dude, I have to ask, how does it feel to be young and rich?

Scotty: Haha! Rich?! I wish! Right now, I’m just having a blast!

J9Teck: Haha I had to ask man! Talking about money, are you involved in any charities or anything?

Scotty: No, but I should do my best to help out where I can, but I’m not currently in any.

J9Teck: Wait, I have to back it up a little. You mentioned playing the piano… Who’s your favorite artist or group?

Scotty: My favorite band is Jack’s Mannequin /Something Corporate. Andrew McMahon is the man! He makes the best music. It’s so good!

J9Teck: Yea dude! That “Glass Passenger” album gets played regularly on my iPod! Hey so, if you weren’t a Pro BMX Freestyle rider, what would you be doing now?

Scotty: That is the hardest question ever. Who knows what I’d be doing? It’s so hard to imagine what I’d be doing, because everything and everyone I know is surrounded by BMX, so who knows?

J9Teck: Check it out… You play the piano, you’ve written some songs, I play the Trumpet and program drums, we could pick up a guitarist and a DJ and form some crazy Urban/Jazz/Alternative group and call it something like the “The Cranmer J9’s”! Hahaha There’s your next career move! Whatcha think? Think about it! Hahaha Nah man, but for real, I really appreciate this interview. Any last words?

Scotty: Thank you to my family and sponsors and thank you to everyone who supports me!

A special thanks to Alan over at Felt Bikes for hooking this up! You’re the man!