Deception of the Masses

---ATi advertisement---
After throwing on his first pair of Pistols, Lavin knew, that no one else had a chance!   The ABA "King of Dirt" Round 3 crown was his.
---ATi advertisement---

Wow, what a picture this ad paints.  I wonder how many ten year old dirt jumpers with X's in their eyes ran out and bought a good supply of ATi Pistol Grips so they too could learn big superman seatgrabs, tailwhips, and all of the other moves that TJ does on his gold Specialized that bring home all of the cash flow. 
I guarentee you that all of the kids who did this, and all of the kids who will do this as long as this ad runs will be disapointed.

Before you start preparing your hate mail, let me clarify acouple things. 
I have nothing against TJ Lavin whatsoever. 
He is an incredible dirt jumper, and obviously does some things right.
Also, I have nothing against ATi. 
For all I know they are just as fine a grip manufacturer as anyone else. 
The ATi ad was simply an illustration for a big, scary trend in freestyle journalism today.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but grips absolutley do not enable you to do any tricks that you can't do with other ones.
TJ won the "King of Dirt" because of talent and practice, not because his grips were designed by 4 time ABA number one pro, and current mountain bike kook, "Pistol" Pete Loncravich. 
Let me assure you that if that were the case I would probably be doing some demo in a third world country for Mountain Dew myself, not sitting here writing this.

The simple fact is, all grips are the same. (at least until Standard comes up with one with a lifetime guarantee)  
Pick the one with the tread you like and go with it. 
Personally I prefer the "swirling zagnut" of Jive grips, but that's just me.  
In 1999 advertisers depend on the name of riders to sell bikes and components, not the quality of the product. 
And in 1999 the average 20" bike rider between the ages of 10-13 will fall for it.  
It's not right but it's the way it is.
There is however a way to get around it. 

Don't be fooled....

               Read between the lines....

                  Think for yourself!

TJ Lavin won the ABA King of Dirt for the first time in 1995. 
Then, he rode for Herda's Hotshots, and though I have no proof I would say that he was not on the ATi flow list.
He was a rad rider then, and he is now. 
It isn't because he's on a Schwinn that Jay Miron does 540 tailwhips. 
It's because he has ridden for years and continues to push freestyle's limits much the same as he did in 1990 when he rode for Bully.

Available in red, black, blue, yellow, or clear- deception of the masses is up for the taking. 

Protect yourself.

rodney bowcock
self help bike co.