2007 marks the 30-year anniversary of the most iconic bike in BMX history, the P.K.Ripper. To celebrate the 30-plus years of BMX history and the original P.K. Ripper, DC and SE Racing are joining forces to re-release the P.K. Ripper bike in its original aesthetic for an exclusive limited edition project named “30 Years of Radness.”

The project is comprised of several unique elements sold separately that make this one of the most extensive projects to date for DC. Included is the P.K. Ripper bike, with only 150 produced and a limited run of 1500 pairs of DC shoes that pay homage to the original P.K. Ripper. Packaged with the shoes will be a special edition re-release of Joe Kid on a Stingray, the film that captures the sport of BMX and its history of individualism, self-expression, and sometimes pure insanity.

“30 Years of Radness” will launch the DC P.K. Ripper globally at an unveiling event in Los Angeles, Calif. The event will showcase 30 years of BMX history and vintage bikes, as well as the unique journey undertaken to develop and realize the project.
BMX riding began to take shape in 1963. Seven years later, in 1970, teenage entrepreneur Scot Breithaupt started the “Pedal Cross” races in Long Beach, Calif., which is what many consider to be the birth of organized BMX racing. Scot captured the first US National BMX Title in 1976, and soon afterwards started SE Racing (standing for Scot Enterprise).

From that initial revolution, SE Racing became one of the most significant BMX brands and has stayed that way for over 30 years. Breithaupt and his team at SE innovated many frames, the most legendary of these being the P.K. Ripper. Named after local rider Perry Kramer, the P.K. Ripper became the most sought after BMX bike of all time. When the P.K. Ripper hit the BMX scene it forever changed the look of BMX design. It possessed a fashionable and hip aesthetic not previously seen, and set a new benchmark for SE’s competition to rise to. As a result, the industry advanced and the 80’s BMX scene was born.

A major element of the project, the DC P.K. Ripper bike is a replication of the famed original that has been updated with modern components. This DC P.K. Ripper will be the first in a series of three limited edition bikes released from SE Racing, all designed to embrace the heritage of the brand and the sport. Truly a collector’s item, production will be limited to 150 bikes, each one numbered on a black and silver gloss custom plate on the seat tube and finished in a gunmetal matte black.

"The most famous BMX bike of all time is back and I'm glad that I was a part of this project. We have been working on this DC/PK Ripper project for over a year and I'm psyched to see it turn into reality,” said Todd Lyons, Brand Manager for SE Bikes. “There are guys out there who have been waiting 20+ years for the return of the PK Ripper Looptail. We owe a lot to DC for sparking the old-school flame beneath our butts.” To honor the original bike, DC designed The DC P.K. Gatsby shoe. It features the SE wings embroidered on each shoe side, a P.K. Ripper heel tab, an insole with a classic BMX racing image and a colorway that mirrors the custom bike colorway. DC created custom packaging especially for this project, which features a unique foil print box and the P.K. Ripper schematic blueprint printed on the tissue inside. Also released in limited quantity, DC will produce just 1500 pairs of the P.K. Gatsby shoes.

Packaged with the DC P.K. Gatsby shoes and completing the P.K. Ripper celebration is a special edition re-release of Joe Kid on a Stingray. An official selection of the X-Dance Film Festival and the Santa Barbara Film Festival, the film covers the history of BMX, from the infamous SE bus tours and the pioneers of Bicycle Motocross to the modern face of “Freestyle.” DC has packaged the Joe Kid on a Stingray DVD with a high quality book that features the history of BMX, plus info on the movie and the new collaboration. Like the shoe, production of the DVD will be held at just 1500 units. For much more on this celebration of three decades of BMX and the P.K. Ripper, please visit www.dcshoes.com/pkripper.

DC/PK Ripper Looptail Specs
Frame CLASSIC 6061 Aluminum Floval Tubing & Looptail Rear End
Fork 1-1/8" Landing Gear, 100% CR-MO
Headset VP 1-1/8" Threadless
Handlebars CR-MO PK Bar, 27.25" x 7.5"
Stem Retro Top Load 1-1/8"
Grips SE Logo Grip
Brake Lever Tektro 313A, 2 Finger Alloy
Brake(s) Tektro 930AL V-Brake, Slick Cable (Rear only)
Seat Retro Plastic Seat
Seat Post Retro Fluted Micro-Adjust, Aluminum 27.2
Seat Clamp SE Alloy
Crank SE "Premium" 3-pc Tubular CR-MO, 180mm
Sprocket SE CNC 44T Aluminum Outer Chainring w/ Spider
Chain KMC Z30, silver
BB American, Sealed
Pedal Classic WellgoAlloy Platform, Cr-Mo Axle, Removable Pins
Wheels Retro Skyway Tuff II's
Freewheel 16T
Tires Kenda K-50 Retro Tread Pattern w/ Gumwalls
Extras Individually Numbered, Retro DC/PK Padset, Rear Wheel Alloy Washers, Alloy Bullet Valve Caps
Colors Matte Black
Head tube angle 74
Seat tube angle 71
Top tube length 21.25"
Chainstays 14.75
Seat tube length 10.25
BB height 11.45"