THE DAYLIGHT GAZETTE

June 20, 2025 | Richard Huvard

What’s old is new still!

Come January 2026, our “BMX Flying Machines” will be 10 years in the making. We came to Daylight, however, slowly over time — some 25 years time — working on our own kid’s bikes, managing top factory race teams, developing products for world class elite riders, experiencing first hand what works, and constantly striving to discover what works even better. We love great design.That’s plain to see here in our first hand-drawn logo/badge concept as well as in the thousands of custom frames and bikes we’ve created. But mostly, we love great design that makes sense.

This is the Daylife!

Hero Chariot Crank System to the rescue!

Just as our Daylight frame’s simple, effective, and easy to use vertical drop-out system makes perfect sense for a single speed race bike, our growing line of Hero Bike Parts are also designed to make better sense — from our remarkably stiff yet compliant Thunderbolt Race Fork to our direct mount Chariot Crank System fully CNC machined from 7075 aluminum. In a BMX race that can come down to fractions of a second, the straighter the chain line and more even the chain tension the less resistance in the drivetrain. We understood that by eliminating the spider/chainring/chainring bolt interface in favor of a single chainring secured directly to the drive arm we would achieve smoother chain tension and better power transfer. No matter how stiff your cranks, if the chainring is bolted to a spider — because of the necessary tolerances for these parts to fit togther — your chain tension will be alternately loose and tight and you’re losing power.

As with any Daylight frame or Hero Bike Parts, the challenge was in making the Chariot direct mount crank system not only better performing and beautiful to behold — but as beautful in its simplicity and ease of use.

Any conventional two-piece BMX crank would require pulling the spindle from the bottom bracket to change gears. Despite the advantages of a DM system, that was a non-starter for us.

Once again, however, what’s old is new which steered us back to a basic but elegant three-piece system designed around a 30mm alloy splined spindle that makes it easier to get a more perfect chainline.

More critically, by incorporating the Race Face/Easton Cinch interface and a splined gear ring that pressure locks the chainring onto the drive arm, changing gears becomes as simple as removing one end cap. That’s one bolt vs. four chainring bolts. You do the math.

When you add it all up, including a full size run (39T-49T) of Hero DM chainrings, an optional 4-bolt spider when you just have to run one of your old chainrings, and a base crankset weight of approximately 25 ounces, the Hero Chariot Crank System is the next evolution in advanced BMX racing crank design.

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Reserve your Chariot Crank System now with no cash deposit at goldcoastbicycles.com! Better yet — order the SUPERHERO TRIO — Chariot Cranks, Thunderbolt Fork and Mighty Stem for $899! That’s over $150 in savings!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR’S

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SEEING RED!

We could go on at length about Molly Simpson ‘s dominating racing this season — crushing the comp at the USA BMX Pro races in both Bakersfield and Nashville. But we’ll simply report that Daylight/Hero’s #44 is your current USA BMX Pro series leader as well as the UCI Wolrd Cup series leader after rounds 1 and 2 in France. Not to mention she’s currently sitting 2nd in the French Cup series. Incredible! Molly will be running the UCI red leader plate in the Netherlands this weekend for World Cup rounds 3 and 4, while coach, Adam Muys, will also be sporting red hair in Papendal — payment for a lost bet to the points leader! Who bets against Molly anyway?

Molly and Team Daylight are proudly sponsored by NoLogo Race Apparel, Onyx Racing Products, and Beringer Cranks

HERO THUNDERBOLT FORKS ARE BACK!

Get the pro race fork that USA Cycling U23 National Champion, Ethan Popovich, chooses for his winning ride. All sizes in stock in Cerakote’s Elite Black ceramic with natural alloy graphics for $499. As always, custom ceramic colors are also available. Proudly made in the USA!