23 Days until Hoffman Bikes 25th Anniversary

Mat Hoffman first met Mike “Rooftop” Escamilla at one of the original BS contests in OKC in 1994, where he earned his nickname.  The legend goes, Mike was a young kid who talked the whole long drive from California, so he almost got strapped to the roof of the car if he didn’t shut up. Unbeknownst to his fellow passengers, he would redefine that name with his legacy of original style and innovation that would make our sport greater.

By late 1995, Mike Escamilla and Hoffman Bikes joined forces.  Mike blazed his own path and showed that you don’t have to do the same tricks as everyone and inspired originality. Mike is also known for doing some of the first big gaps.  In December 1995, he scored his first interview and cover on his first Hoffman Bike doing the roof to flat gap in issue 19 of Ride BMX.

Mike was always looking for new equipment that could help him advance his riding. During Mike’s years with Hoffman Bikes, we produced several proto-types for him. One of those designs was this custom bashguard added to his bike, seen below.

Hoffman Bikes always had different outlooks on BMX and Mike had the same approach to riding, which helped make Hoffman Bikes what it is.

Video above features Mike’s Section form Until Monkeys Fly Hoffman Bikes 1997 video. Below is Mike’s interview in Ridebmx along with several other great photos

Mike Escamilla Ride Bmx Interview December 1995

Mike Escamilla Deebo Frame with Proto-Type Bash Guard

RideBMX Dec95 Issue Cover

Mike Escamilla Bike Test on Big Daddy Frame

Mike Escamilla Team Shirt