[KastanHunter]

But they are done now.

[sk8bones]

Minty!!!

[Astrodamus]

haven't seen you in a while!

Lookin good!

[S.Brothers]

Those forks fascinate me. I missed that era of bmx entirely. How do they work?

[KastanHunter]

A Kastan hub goes on the fork spindle. Tecmatic bearings are used in a oversized hubshell. Very clean, and fast.

[Spur]

S.Brothers, on Apr 7 2006, 07:56 PM, said:

Those forks fascinate me. I missed that era of bmx entirely. How do they work?

How do they feel in a corner, I know it is just a missing arm, does it flex any more with the missing arm and gusset..

They are nice btw, I must admit I am intrigued by them.

[hutcholdschool]

I know this is no relevance those forks are awesome but not good to ride on i personally was next to a guy in the 90's racing and we went over the double and when he landed they snaped the leg off. Needless to say it was a very ugly situation but i always liked the look of those forks just wouldnt want to ride on them. They make the bike look fast sitting in one spot. Later Aaron

[S.Brothers]

KastanHunter, on Apr 7 2006, 08:05 PM, said:

A Kastan hub goes on the fork spindle. Tecmatic bearings are used in a oversized hubshell. Very clean, and fast.

Trick-a-delic! What were the years of production?

[Snorton]

Those things were super sweet but alot of dentist made there money while those were being used.

[KastanHunter]

1990 to 1992. 1st runs were recalled and a newer model was offered which did not break as much. Well I shouldnt say as much. The newer models did not snap as much when cased by poor riders. I have up top, the teal Uniblade which is first run, even has some Redline oval stamps on the steerer. With a second run, the chromo, both 24's. A second run is also on the red bike pictured, a 20". Second runs had a cap under the steerer and a weld which provided more support for the crown. Eventually all recalled and replaced with regular pro forks. That is if the buyers returned them.

[S.Brothers]

The breakage must have been such a frustration for the engineer/design dudes at Kastan. Very cool idea, but seems like it just couldn't be designed to withstand the rigours of the racing environment.
:Live2ride:

[Just..Me..Chillin']

killer novelty pieces .... Kastan's work was always a thing of artistic beauty .... some ideas were sheer genius (401s, 1st gen forklifter bars) others just sculptures to be gazed upon and appreciated as such, but not as functional works (uni blades) --- his pros way out weighed his cons --- a true perfectionist --- I always respected his work greatly --- I was on to other things by the time he went dolo, so though I have no interest to collect for self, its nice to view others collections


very nice ensemble :32:

[KastanHunter]

Yes, I am sure it was a disappointment to see failure in some of the Uniblades. Just.. me..chillin' hits it right. You can not know unless you try. When would have the first tubular forks arrived? And where would our BMX cranks be without the Redline (Linn Kastan) design? I am glad those things worked out. But if the Uniblades were bombproof I dont think that would be consistent with BMX anyway. Look at Ripper frames, look at Hutch frames, snap here crack there. It is just the way BMX goes. Even today we see failures or bends in things like forks and crank spindles which are far more advanced production and test wise. Kind of just the territory. I collect and ride these things because I always wanted one and could never get one when young. Not really to collect because there are not many left. I think they are cool. Here are some pics of guys blasting them.

[S.Brothers]

:14: now we're talkin!

[Brian SE tattoo 1]

got one when they first came out xl 24 that was a cool bike should have never sold it ,thay ride nice. cool pics .

[4130]

I have found, in the 15 years I have been on my 24 uniblade that it's the wheel lacing that keeps it firm in the corners...and the smoothness of the pilot that keeps 'em intact.
I have seen fools break EVERYTHING...so, it's all the rider IMO...have never had any issues with my struts.
KASTANHUNTERS bikes are the cleanest BAR NONE, :24: and a lot of his knowledge and gear comes from Linn Kastan himself...I guess that's why people like to perpetrate, and claim his bikes as their own online nowadays! :nobull:
Oh, SNAP!

[scottyt]

Other than looking cool, what was the point? Were they lighter weight or did they provide some other performance enhancement?

[KastanHunter]

A touch lighter at the time. Main focus on less torsional resistance. Both of these facts are the reason for the Uniblade.

[KastanHunter]

OK, Done.

Kastan 24" Pro-S
Uniblade, OG chrome
Kastan post
Kastan Forklifter II powerbend bars, OG chrome
DK XL stem
Tioga Beartrap II headset
Ame Tri's bubble font
Kashimax aero
Pitbull brakes
Dia-Compe lever
Odyssey cable
Kastan Tec-Matic II bottom bracket
401's single wrapped OG chrome
Redline 43 bubble font ring
Generic BMX 888 freewheel
KMC chain
XC-II Suntours with Titanium axles and Urchin cages
7X Arayas
Black nips
Rear sealed Suzue
Tioga Comp III's biggie small
Crit raised font mini with Zeronine numbers
OG Kastan decals.
OG Kastan pads

[Tite681]

Sweet bike. Well worth the wait.