Started by Aaron Zack Phillips in 1993.
Zack Phillips, www.ugzine.com: I was breaking axles like every night and grinding though and making flat spots in my pegs so I knew a machine shop and i just walked in and talked to them. and that is where it started.
Zack Phillips, www.propsbmx.tv: In 1993 there were no aftermarket companies making pegs or sprockets. There really was only S&M and Standard, who both where were making frames. I knew of a machine shop down the street and brought in some broken parts and met with them. About a week later I came back and they had made me some sample axles and pegs. Right when that happened I turned 16, got a station wagon and off I was. We had a really good supportive riding scene here in Rochester that would travel. So every weekend we would go to the Push trails in Pittsburgh or B.S. contest in Chicago or Florida. So I would be shooting pictures and selling parts out of my backpack.
THE NAME.
Zack Phillips, www.propsbmx.tv:The name Kink came around at the same time too. I had talked to Brad McDonald the publisher of Ride about photography and I told him I wanted to advertise my brand. He asked me the name of my company and I didn’t have one. I said I would have to call him back. I knew I just wanted something short, easy and 1 syllable. So Kink was born. No real good story.
One of Kink’s original products in the early 90s were pegs. The Kink “El Guapo” pegs weighed something like 6 pounds each.
Zack Phillips, www.propsbmx.tv: Our Kink original peg was selling really well at the time and Nate Hansen was riding for us. I wanted to make a peg with a larger O.D. so he could continue to ride flatland and street without switching pegs. I liked the idea, it just wasn’t executed very well.
FIRST AD IN RIDE BMX MAGAZINE
DROPOUT PROTECTORS AND FAT NUTS ARE MADE
KINK CHAIN.
New Kink chain twice as thick as a normal chain.
FIRST EMPIRE FRAME IS MADE
KINK LAUNCHES IT'S FIRST WEBSITE
FIRST BACK COVER AD IS PRINTED IN RIDE BMX
KINK EMPIRE.
Ride BMX UK june 1998: The Empire frame is made by Spooky Cycles in New York, the same quality frame builders which Terrible One is going to be using for their new bikes [Spooky RULES...]. Zach from Kink spent a while designing this thing, and it shows - it's got to be one of the strongest bikes on sale today. Kink didn't choose a beat wishbone as per a lot of frames, but the toptube is pierced by the seattube, joining up with beefy 9/10ths inch stays and in turn a set of large plate 6mm lasercut dropouts. The chainstays are also 9/10ths, and there's a burly BB wishbone. The rear triangle is really clean, no fuss, no swoopy curvy tubes, just clean straight strong oversize stays. The front end is also tidy -just large tubes and no troubles. The downtube is pierced by the headtube like an old Menstrual Cycle frame and its capped off. The AD brake is sited underneath the seatstays with the cable stop under the toptube. The fork set-up is dialled. 1.25" fork legs, 6mm thick dropouts welded both sides and a machined steerer tube for 1.1/8 Aheadsets comes complete with a welded in thread and beefy steel Kink headset tension bolt. All tough. It's the quality of the Kink which stands out - pure USA handbuilt stuff here. It's solid. It's rider designed and extensively tested, so It's proven. Definitely one of THE frames of '98. We're about to build this up into a bike and go ride...
Kink est distribué en France par Sunex.
JIM CIELENCKI.
Jim Cielencki and Kink have parted ways in march. Jim and Kink have decided to go in different directions. After almost seven years of loyal riding and working for Kink, Jim has decided to concentrate and put his efforts behind his own projects, which include Sunday skate and bike store in Buffalo, NY. Kink already recently added Danny Hickerson to the team while keeping its eye out to maintain a fresh team.
Jim Cielencki: everything is great, I just want to concentrate on Sunday skate and bike shop and some other things I would like to investigate around Buffalo. I really enjoyed my years on kink and I wish them good luck.
Zack Phillips: today is a good day for both of us. No bad feelings and we are both happy and still friends.
FARSIDE FRAME.
Chris Doyle signature.
Zack phillips, november 2014: BMX is my passion. Being able to work with friends is amazing and I couldn't ask for anything more. The last 20 years I've been able to travel the world doing what I love; from riding, shooting photos, to working with our shops, distributors and factories. Creating a brand that others can trust and rely on is something epic and something I am really proud of. I hated breaking parts everyday while riding and we were able to fix that. We are constantly progressing our brand, products and team beyond my wildest dreams and we're never going to stop.
Jimmy Buchans 2002
Jim Cielinski december 1998, Kink is proud to sponsor am rider Jim Cielinski - march 2005.
Chris Doyle 2008
Nate Hanson december 1999 - ....
Craig Grasso mars 2000 - ....
Leigh Ramsdell december 1995 - ....
Mike Tag 1996 - ....
Robert Tibbs december 1998 Kink is proud to sponsor am rider Robert Tibbs - ....
Joe Tiseo