Bicross Time Bike - A BMX done right
The Bicross Time Bike by Saint Martin is a 24-inch BMX cruiser handmade in France by Alain Massabova, one of the most experienced figures in European freestyle BMX. Designed to revive the proportions and spirit of legendary 1980s cruisers like the Redline RL20 II and the Hutch Trick Star, but scaled up and built from modern materials, it is the product of over 30 years of accumulated knowledge in BMX riding, publishing, and retail.
Who is Alain Massabova, and why does his involvement matter?
Alain Massabova has been riding since 1986 and has spent over 27 years as a competitive and street-level freestyle BMX rider in Paris. Beyond riding, he has run shops (La Crémerie, Nomadeshop) and published BMX media including Cream, Flat Kings, and ART BMX Magazine. Since 2015, he has owned the Saint Martin BMX brand through his holding company, working alongside his brother Manu. The Bicross Time Bike is his direct expression of what he believes a BMX cruiser should be: retro in concept, uncompromising in components, and genuinely rideable as a daily machine in a city like Paris.
Frame, geometry, and the 4130 Chromoly construction
The frame is handmade in France from 4130 Chromoly steel sourced from the United States, an aerospace-grade alloy chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance. The geometry traces the classic BMX cruiser shape exactly, scaled up to 24 inches rather than the standard 20-inch format. This larger wheel size provides a more relaxed riding position and better rollover capability on urban terrain, without losing the snappy handling character that makes BMX distinct from standard bicycles.
Skyway mags, Shadow Conspiracy seatpost, and component choices
Every part selection on the Bicross Time reflects Massabova's deep familiarity with what works. The 24-inch Skyway mags in graphite and black are the classic wheel for this class of BMX and deliver the visual signature the retro brief demands. Kenda tires wrap the mags. Wolf trap pedals and mushroom grips reinforce the period-correct feel, while the black matte fork is matched to the handlebar finish. A chrome Shadow Conspiracy seatpost carries a Saint Martin 25 seat, the only branded component that signals the Bicross Time's origin without announcing it loudly. All chromed-out components have been selected to age the way old-school BMX hardware ages: gracefully.
A neo-retro cruiser built for Paris streets
The concept behind the Bicross Time is deliberately dual-use: smooth enough for a leisurely afternoon loop in Paris, capable enough for hard riding when needed. This is not a display piece but a bicycle built by someone who still rides daily, for people who will actually use it. The 24-inch format bridges the gap between a performance BMX and a city cruiser without committing fully to either category, which is exactly the point. Watch Massabova ride in Paris below: the bike does what it promises.
Alain Massabova - 40 years in Paris from ART BMX MAGAZINE on Vimeo.
The Saint Martin Bicross Time Bike is available on TheArsenale. For more of the most considered bicycle designs available, browse the TheArsenale Bicycles collection, including the Bogarde BMX in Black and the PG x Bugatti Carbon Bicycle, two machines that share the Bicross Time's commitment to doing one thing with absolute precision.
