Lititz BMX Museum Unboxing: Thank You to Craig Reynolds - Illinois BMX Hall of Fame (Fundraiser)

Record details

Video ID

bVoPmIU0mL8

Published

2026-02-26

Availability

Public

Duration

0:55

Transcript

YouTube automatic caption

Description snapshot

Unboxing legendary history! 📦

Huge congrats to Craig Reynolds of Reynolds Racing on his recent induction into the Illinois BMX Hall of Fame! 🏆

We were stoked to support the fundraiser and grab these limited edition shirts. They look even better in person. Craig, thanks for everything you do for the scene!

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This is a classic "boots-on-the-ground" story of an underdog brand built on integrity, geometry, and a refusal to settle for a bike that didn't fit.

Here is a summary of the Reynolds Racing (RR) legacy, broken down by its most important "measurements."

1. The Catalyst: "The $200 Request"
In 1992, while a student at Northern Illinois University, Craig Reynolds was riding for BADD & Co. When he asked for a modest monthly salary ($200–$500), they stopped taking his calls. Instead of finding another sponsor, Craig decided to build his own frames—specifically because, at his height, every "pro" frame on the market felt too short.

2. The Geometry-First Philosophy
Craig was obsessed with measurements. He partnered with Cycle Craft for manufacturing and Barry McManus as his pro rider.

The Prototype Lesson: His first prototype had a 71° seat tube angle; he knew it was wrong within 30 seconds of unboxing. He corrected it to 73°, creating the legendary "Fresh 40."

The Lineup: * The Rap 42: Barry McManus’s pro model (named for its 42-inch wheelbase).

The Puppy: A high-end bike for kids who were struggling on sub-par, oversized frames.

The Formula: The "mid-sized" filler, named after Craig jokingly threatened to name it "The Refrigerator" after picking a random word from the dictionary.

3. The "Garage" Years
RR was a true DIY operation run out of Craig's parents' house. He handled inventory, stickering, and shipping via UPS from his bedroom. His business model was simple: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." Every cent of profit was reinvested into the company for more frames, ads, and shirts.

4. The System Cycle Supply (SCS) Era
To focus more on racing and less on logistics, Craig sold the RR name and stock to System Cycle Supply (associated with DK).

5. Integrity Over Profit: The End of RR
The downfall came through manufacturing delays and SCS facing financial struggles. When SCS offered to move production to Taiwan to keep the brand alive, Craig refused. He felt the quality wasn't there yet and didn't want to disappoint his customers with an inferior product.

He took his final "victory lap" at Lake Perris, CA, ending the company on his own terms rather than compromising the "Reynolds" name.

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Transcript

Hey guys, Kyle with BMX. We've got a uh fun unboxing this morning, our
fun unboxing this morning, our unpackaging. Uh if you can see the name
unpackaging. Uh if you can see the name of the frame behind me, you'll see that
of the frame behind me, you'll see that uh maybe that is some kind of hint as to
uh maybe that is some kind of hint as to what we're going to see.
what we're going to see. But let's open this package up.
If you didn't know, Craig Reynolds of Reynolds Racing
Reynolds Racing recently was inducted into the Illinois
recently was inducted into the Illinois PM Hall of Fame and as a fundraiser, he
PM Hall of Fame and as a fundraiser, he sold some shirts.
sold some shirts. We were lucky enough to be able to
We were lucky enough to be able to pick up two shirts from [snorts] that
pick up two shirts from [snorts] that release.
These look great. So Craig, thank you very much.
very much. We really appreciate it.

Preserved files

Metadata JSON · Current description · Transcript text · bVoPmIU0mL8.en-orig.vtt · bVoPmIU0mL8.en.vtt