Local Bike Heroes: Ruben Bartolome

by elokahn

I have known this man since I started (real) mountain biking. He gave most of us our dream rig without any hesitation if we can pay him or not (it's best that you pay him though). A walking encyclopedia on bicycles, ask and you shall receive. Long, beautiful hair, nope, not a she, but you'd hesitate if you see him from behind. Ha-ha! I am talking about Mr. Ruben “Raven” Bartolome of 43 bikes. There is a lot of history with this man, he’s in the scene even before it started, and helped a lot of us to get started as well…

He is one of our local bike heroes because he is the bike scenes "fairy godmother", the giver of wishes, the best adviser. If you plan on building a rig, he's the man to run to. He'll give you every details from parts to price, if it will work for you or not. He isn't into profit, he just wants the perfect bike that'll suit your riding needs.

He is not just a seller, he is mainly a biker.

We all owe him the gratitude and this is just one way to pay him (aside from cash). Here’s the interview with the man of the month.

Name:Ruben Bartolome ben,raven
Bday: nov.1972
Contact: 09172577328/ 4188530
www.ravencycles43.multiply.com

bikes:

intense tracer 03
intense tazer 03
intense sabot(bmx)
sta.cruz blur 4x
gt avalanche
gt'dyno roadster
ripper custom 24'cruiser
specialized rockhopper(steel)
mbk cromo oldskul

likes: cute girls
dislike: elo
1st crush: dead na.
1st crash: ridge 2 tagaytay, kala ko putol na paa ko
2nd crash: trixx dh funfrun2....dislocated my right knee.
dream bike: session88,totem,deemax
or remedy.talas'36,xtr.......or red intense 5.5...he...he

When did you start biking?

I started biking with my stingray(easyrider)way back 83',then bmx after a year.sold my bmx 92. retuned biking on mtb 2001

What made you interested in mountain biking?

College days pa sa recto dami back issues ng bicycling,mountain biking for 10pesos only..updated ako sa bmx, and nagtitingin nako ng mtb, nung napadaan ako sa kings nakita ko ung rockshox na fork 3k...nalula ako that time ung 1k na bike ang mahal na..pero naintriga ako sa gearing ng mtb kaya sabi ko gusto ko ng mtb...

Who are your major influences in mountain biking?

honestly ung mga mgazine na back issues sa recto dun talaga ako natuto,then later si melvin,ung nagdala sa akin sa u.p then nakilala ko si alvin kasmott,syempre si allan pusa(sya lang talaga ung naglalaro nung una,) mataas mg bunny hop and,jump,then boyet camba na mga oldskul..

Have you been into competitions?

1st compe ko 2004 trixx xc/dh..dec.dalawa lang kami ni alvin xc ang nilaruan ko pero set'up ko pang trail/jump na,dito ko din una na meet si ogie,gogi,paolo..si ogie nag dh din..pinalilipad ung yelow na bullit..maganda pa ride nya kay alvin..galing sa dh ni ogie,then several dh ,4x na ung iba..un ung una at huli kong xc race.4x kang tatawid sa ilog..

How many times did you win?

3x..1st xc race placed 8th,then 05 1st trixx dh funrun 1st place'beginner,vision cup 6th

Have you ever thought of going pro?

nope..hindi na masaya un..
What is the best trick you've ever done?doing a transfer jump, and a gap jump, ung matuto lang ako mag jump sa ramp..natuwa nako nun...

Have you been into different parts of the country with you bike?

1st out of town trip ko with my bike cagayan de oro,ganda ng xc ride dun,then mt.province na pinaka da best for 4yrs..na

What do you think is the best change that's been made in mountain biking?

technology,mtb is getting better and better..

You have been into the buy and sell business for some years now; have you encountered weird clients?

weird,shit heads,morons, u name it....tha'ts why i love my job..

Do you think that your love for biking is the main reason why you started a bike shop?

back in grades school bmx days i always dream of having a shop in our house..i want to build/repair bikes for my friends....and happy to say that until now i'm still doing this...

Is it hard to be in the business?

hard,if you dnt know the buss..for me it's life,biking is where i breathe...

What do you think will happen to the Filipino biking community 5 years from now?

still the same,biking will boom,more parts,more riders..parks will rise everywhere..

Will you ever quit mountain biking?

nope, im already planning my retirement bike...he..he

What is your greatest dream with your bike?(where to go, tricks to learn)

..where to go...whistler, tricks..a perfect table, and a 360..yeah...

Are you fulfilled with what you have now?

...in life?..not a thought..for me, everyday is my last day..

Any advice to newcomers and would be bikers?

...for newbies...go out and play...

How do you keep you hair shiny and long?

HEhe....downey with calamansi and sabong barreta......nag asawa ako ng mayaman..he..he

Do you think Ef is jealous of your hair that is why he cut his' short?

i think he wants me to follow and cut mine, and dye...

What trick do you still want to learn?

To hypnotize all my buyers not to make tawad...

Pauutangin mo pa rin ba ako?

Hehe...next question pls....

There you have it. Our first bike hero interview. More to follow every month. Let us know who you want next and we'll se through it. That's all folks! (theme from looney toons)