Linq builds very high quality stuff. They have a great team and the company is growing fast. Linq also runs the High Desert Freestyle BMX fund, Which some of the proceeds from their parts you purchase go to raise money to build a bmx friendly skatepark and dirt course,So with that being know it is awesome that they have set that up as well.
Linq is also a part of the upcoming Soulstyce BMX Competition on Sept 17th and 18th.More info is posted at the end of the Q&A and can be checked out at Soulstycediscounts.com So without further introduction,Here is what Linq had to say,Thanks to Josh and the Linq family.
#1. What's your Name, Age, And where do you currently reside?
Josh Richling, 39, Apple Valley, Ca.
#2. Do you have any hook ups?Also what is your current bike set up?
Profile helps us out as it's the only company the entire team can agree on haha!
This week my current bike setup is missing left crank arm (gave it to a rider) missing back wheel and Chain (gave them to another rider) And..... Can we talk about something else? Haha!
#3.Tell us a little how you got into riding and what kind of riding do you enjoy most?
Well, like alot of us, I grew up poor and a bike is all I had and all I knew. Dirt jumps were all we had as there were no such things as "concrete parks" back then and only the rich kids and thieves had enough wood to do anything with. We used old doors and bricks and shit and that's about it. I lived in the desert, we didn't even have curbs where I grew up but the crazy thing is that I still live there!!WTF??! Right?! Haha!
#4.Who is behind LINQ?Also how did you come up with the idea for Linq.
Our riders are behind LINQ, without them, we are nothing. Our company will succeed or fail based off of their actions.It's not about money, if it were, I'd definitely find something else to invest in.
I came up with the idea for LINQ for two reasons actually. The first is a way to fund change. Bikes being banned from Skateparks is ludicrous!!!
It's purely discrimination and I don't see anyone standing up against the powers that be for this issue who have the financial status to really make these changes at the state level, so I thought "let's build a company dedicated to providing riding areas for riders and changing the legal discrimination that exists as well as assisting those interested in doing the same".
The other Reason is I was competing at a contest last year where I met Pat Casey and learned that at that time, he was breaking frames like crazy!! And right through the center of the welds!! His mom explained to me how the company actually blames him for the breakages. (Ignoring the fact that their built in taiwan). I thought to myself, I'm a welder/fabricator and an American who can do it better!! So I did.
Photo Credit- Smoogs Malone Photography.
Another Angle of welding a frame up.Photo Credit-Smoogs Malone Photography
#5 Tell us about your product offering,Can you elaborate on your unique sprocket design and other products?
Our Sprockets...........Perhaps the most renowned and controversial parts in BMX today. The fans Say they are the best and lightest sprockets they've ever used, the haters cant comprehend how they actually work, but they do.
The Original Decadon (named for it's 10 sided appearance when used with half links) is the most unusual part to be created and therefore has created a lot of attention. It actually works perfect and may be the lightest 25T in BMX today.
However, being so light, it has a shorter life span than traditional sprockets so we have created the Decadon Bridge which is for the hard-core Park Riders who put them through hell and last as long as traditional sprockets. The gap in the teeth allow for taking the chain on and off without screwing up the sprocket on bikes with slammed rear ends but works perfect on all bikes.
We presently offer custom Frames & Semi-Custom frames (all with custom etched logos/names/etc. in them, sprockets, Bars and we are constantly adding new parts. Next on the list is....... Follow us and you can grow with us:)
Here is a LINQ frame being showcased,They have excellent attention to detail and awesome paint.LINQ also has the ability to custom etch logos and writing into frames for a very unique look.They also have a revolutionary sprocket design in a large assortment of colors and teeth. Photo Credit-Smoogs Malone Photography
#6. Who is on the Linq team?
Our Team Manager is Josh Metz (Las Vegas NV) who wears many hats and deals with sponsorship issues, riders, photos, edits, and much more..
Ross Lanier and Jordan Johnson (Newberry springs, Ca.)
Mark Rubio (Las Vegas NV)
Brakeless Billy Beddow (Las Vegas NV)
Taylor Bachellier (Riverside Ca)
Patrick Overturf (Woodward West)
Marco Palacios ( Apple Valley Ca)
#7.Whats a typical day at Linq for you like?
Honestly, you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
#8.What is the Future of Linq?Also where can we purchase your Products?
LINQ is an Underground BMX company who's growth is based on it's support from riders who believe in Quality, Style, and American Made Products. We hope to help open all parks to BMX someday and support the sport through promoting BMX events like Soulstyce (soulstycefest.com)
#9.Would you like to give any shout outs?
I'd like to thank my family ( for being supportive and understanding when I'm at the shop Building Bikes instead in hanging out with them), the Riders for making LINQ what it is today, Quamen bikes for helping us make the coolest shit with their CNC machine and everyone at Quamen Bikes for all their support.Woodward West, And we'd like to thank Bay BMX for doing what you do.
#10. Tell us about the Soulstyce BMX Competition everyone is talking about.
Man, it's going to be crazy this year! We took the two BMX Sports who the X-Games Discarded (Dirt jumps and Flatland ) and are giving them an arena packed with 15,000 people 270 degrees around them to watch and combined it with Hip Hop stars and legends to created the Largest two day Dirt and Flat BMX event in California or actually the entire West Coast.
We got Adam Aloise (builder of Dew tour and Anthony Napolitan's Dream Line) building the Dirt Course, we got Dan Hubbard and Fat Tony on the mics Announcing, we got Lance Mosley giving Clinics to amateurs before the event getting them ready for the comp, (yes, we are having an amatuer Class on dew tour sized jumps!!!)
We got Lalo Jimenez, Shayne kajanoori and Jessie Puente promoting the Flatland Comp. Which has gone international as well as the Dirt comp. We got over 100 Artists performing on 4 stages over two days with names like Fat Joe, Redman, The Visionaries, Dialated Peoples, R.A. The Rugged man..... Just go to Soulstycefest.com
And here's a little secret, go to Soulstycediscounts.com and use Promo code: LINQ and get 1/2 off the door price. That's only $25 for both days of concerts and BMX competitions!!! Don't Miss it!! Sept 17&18 at the Pico Rivera sports arena.
You can also check out more pictures,Videos,And product information as well as more about the High desert freestyle bmx fund over on their website at http://linqbmx.com/
