Update! Reader Ben Hughes wrote in asking about the flip-flop hub in the rear and Ben is correct- The hub is free/free and not fixed/free as I had previously stated. Good looking out, and my bad for not looking closer.

I was talking to The Wildman over at SE about 29'ers- with all the hub-bub buzzing about them, I knew I had to check one out. I was asking about an older MTB model & he suggested I take the Big Ripper a spin.

Now, if you know anything about BMX history, SE Racing's P.K. Ripper should be a household name. The Big Ripper is a P.K. BLOWN UP! Full on 29's, and it's a straight up BMX bike. The flagship of their retro department and with good reason.

This bigger version is everything that you'd expect from a P.K.- A bad ass, cool white aluminum (6061) frame with BEEFY welds, Floval tubing, SE's Looptail rear, and horizontal retro dropouts. It's got a 100% CR-MO Landing Gear fork. It comes with SE's 100% CR-MO 3pc. 175mm tubular crankset with a 33 tooth chainring to boot... need I say more? It looks just like a P.K., except the wheels are nine inches bigger!

Now take all that, and throw a big fat pair of 29's on it!!! The Big Ripper rocks blue, Alex double wall, 36 hole alloy rims with white 14g. spokes stuck to a pair of blue, SE high-flange, cartridge sealed alloy hubs. The rear hub is a flip-flop sporting a 16 tooth freewheel, but feel free to slap a cog & lock ring on the other side & ride fixed- it's up to you! All that rolling on Freedom Cruz Sport 2.1 tires.

In true BMX fashion, this sports a 2 finger, blue, Tektro V-brake, SE's CR-MO Power Wing Cruiser bars bolted onto a blue, retro, top loading stem. And the grips- these are so rad! Retro 2 layer white on blue with SE logo cutouts- so rad...and mine came with DONUTS!!! Those just take me back...

Finished off with a Race Rocker micro-adjust aluminum seatpost with an SE Flyer seat, a killer white KMC chain, a pair of low profile, Wellgo pedals featuring an alloy platform with a CR-MO axle.

To top it off and make it even more retro, you get a 3pc. pad set crested with SE's Winged logo.

The tires are about the only thing that aren't full on BMX...which is fine, because most people won't be riding this on a track. There's enough knob for hitting light trails, but I'd throw on something knobbier for cross racing or any serious off-roading. The seat looks retro, but is a more modern, smaller, padded seat that's really comfy.

The one thing that it's missing is the bottle opener under the seat. I don't think I missed it...but I'll look in the same place 5 times for something and still not find it!

The Wildman said this bike gets some looks, and he wasn't kidding. When you see it, it's just awesome looking. It commands respect and it gets it everywhere it goes. I remember the first ride downtown with it in the middle of tourist season, I decided to ride without music...

I could not believe all the kids- almost every kid saying "cool bike!" as I rode past. And then there was everyone else- "sweet bike!", or "hey, nice bike.". I've never had so many people comment on a bike as I rode past as I did that day. Totally crazy. The retro jersey might've added a few points, I don't know...it is a pretty killer jersey.

The Big Ripper is just plain fun to ride. A simple pleasure... but lots and lots of fun!!! I was a little surprised at the size of the chainring, but it wheels!! The fork is also drilled for a front brake if you wish to add one, but then you might as well get a rotor & you'd have the first 29" freestyle bike! It's bound to happen!!! (If you guys make it I want props!!!)

All in all, It's been a blast to ride and it's definitely a ride of it's own. If you can, find your local SE dealer and check one out. One test ride and you'll be hooked. That's how it is... It's what being a high roller is all about. It makes me jones to ride just looking at it. For reals...

-Brandon