After spending five days in California with Black Market's owner, Carter Holland and New Jersey Native, Adam Hauck at the Atomlab Super Session, I couldn't leave without getting my hands on a Black Market Riot frame. The Riot frame has the same proven geometry as the sought-after Mob, but the use of a 725 cromo tubeset makes it a bit more cost efficient and a more likely choice for someone who wants to ride a high quality bicycle on a tight budget. The legendary BMX brand S&M oversees all operations at Black Market, so you know you can expect quality from any of their frames. Like always -- in good 'ole NJ Dirt fashion -- I got my chance to give this frame absolute hell for about a month. If you have read my previous reviews you are already well aware that I'm not exactly nice to my parts.

For more information about the Black Market Riot frame and other Black Market products check out www.blackmarketbikes.com .  Be sure to check out Atom Lab's "Tough as Hell", featuring the Black Market team!

     The Riot frame -- just like its more expensive counterpart, the Mob, -- has very clean lines and is a very simple design. The Black Market frames are designed for a 26" wheel, but since I only had a set of 24 inch Halo wheels, that's what I used for the review. The bike felt great with the 24's on there and won't feel much different in a 26" setup. On the nose-end I slapped a DMR Trailblade rigid fork on, which provides the equivalent geometry of an 80mm suspension fork. The frame works very nicely with a short fork and does not make it any harder to bring up the front end. The riot comes with slotted dropouts, which worked great for my singlespeed setup. The Riot doesn't come with brake bosses, but has a unique disc mount and support feature to keep the brake from tweaking the frame over time. This feature was lost on me, as I rode the bike brakeless. However, if you choose brakes, you'll be glad the Riot's got a sturdy brake mount. Black Market offers the frame in two top tube lengths to ensure that you get the best fit possible. I went with the shorter 21.5" version.

     The super short 15.625 inch chainstays made the bike extremely easy to pull up for hops and manuals and effortless to balance. I gave this bike the full gamut of abuse: sprocket stalls, pedal grinds, burly crashes, and high-speed gaps -- with the occasional bike throw mixed in. The bike instantly felt natural under me with the geometry and build quality of the frame screaming for me to go out and ride it some more. There was no adjustment period to get used to bike; as soon as I got on it was like I'd been riding it all my life. When riding I definitely noticed how stiff the chromoly frame felt, making for a very flex-free ride. The relatively light weight of the frame makes it very easy to throw around, which was a big difference from other heavier bikes I am used to riding. I called the rest of the NJ Dirt crew over to give it a spin and they agreed whole heartily, not a bad comment from any of the crew who rode it. The frame held up really well against everything I threw at it. The only incident on this otherwise perfect test-bike was that I partially dented the down tube and the chainstays doing pedals grinds. It hasn't made any difference in the feel or integrity of the frame though. In this sort of frame, and with my sort of riding, cosmetic damage is to be expected. Everything about this frame is extremely durable. The paint job is very tough and is hard to scratch off even after accidental grinds on the chain stays. The quality was even evident in the graphics, which were all encased under a nice thick layer of clear coat to keep them intact and pristine.

 

 

     I've heard time and time again from countless people that these are some of the best frames on the market right now. After about a month of abuse I can only agree, that these are some of the best frames money can buy. Great design, great geometry, great looks, great frame. The Mob and Riot frames should be your top choice when looking for a new frame for street, park, and dirt. I highly suggest you pick one up.

 

     If my words aren't enough to convince you that the Black Market frames are the shizz, then try Carter Holland or Adam Hauck.  See what they say.