Introduction
If you’re even remotely into fixed-gear culture, you’ve heard the name Brooklyn Machine Works. And if you’ve spent any time digging through the core of that culture, you’ve no doubt come across the Gangsta Track, a frame that practically defined street fixed gear riding in the 2000s. Fast forward to today, and we’re on the fourth iteration: the Gangsta V4—sleek, refined, but still raw at its core.
But the story doesn’t end in Brooklyn. Halfway across the world, W-Base Tokyo took the energy of this NYC-born beast and created a subculture of its own. Together, BMW and W-Base carved out a legacy that blends street smarts with urban art.
Let’s dive deep into the frame, the movement, and the legacy of the Gangsta V4.
The Birth of Brooklyn Machine Works (BMW)
NYC’s Underground Bike Scene
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, New York was chaos on two wheels. Alleycat races, bike messengers, and rogue street riders were shaping a culture that was fast, fearless, and unapologetic.
Founding Story and Vision
Brooklyn Machine Works wasn’t born in a corporate boardroom. It started in a gritty workshop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The goal? Make bikes that could take the abuse of the street while looking like weapons of urban expression.
Core Values and Design Philosophy
BMW never cared about trends. Their ethos: durability, simplicity, and attitude. From day one, their bikes were built to take a beating—thick tubing, tight geometry, and a stance that screamed “come at me.”
The Iconic Gangsta Track
What Made the Gangsta Track Legendary
The original Gangsta Track was raw, heavy, and bold. With a steel frame and straight forks, it was designed to slam through city streets and still look fresh while doing it.
Fixed Gear Culture and Its Boom
Back in the 2000s, riding fixed was a statement. No brakes, no gears—just skill and nerve. The Gangsta Track became the bike for messengers and urban riders.
Early Riders and Influencers
From NYC legends to Tokyo’s underground fixie scene, the frame gained cult status. Riders like Tom LaMarche and Yatika Starr Fields pushed the limits on what a fixed gear could do—and they did it on Gangstas.
Evolution to the Gangsta V4
The Need for Updates
Riding styles changed. Riders wanted something tighter, faster, and more refined. The V4 isn’t a departure—it’s a natural evolution.
Engineering Changes from Earlier Versions
The V4 features sleeker welds, cleaner dropouts, and a modern geometry that hugs the street. It’s still steel, still tough, but now optimized for the demands of today’s riders.
Style, Geometry, and Street Functionality
Slight tweaks in top tube angle and clearance make wheelies and tricks smoother. It’s a track frame that wants to get dirty.
W-Base Tokyo: Japan’s Fixed Gear Hub
Introduction to W-Base
Located in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, W-Base is more than a bike shop. It’s a culture hub—think of it as Japan’s answer to Supreme, but for bikes.
W-Base’s Role in Popularizing Fixed Gear in Asia
W-Base brought the fixie craze to Tokyo and then across Asia. They curated culture, imported frames like BMW, and connected riders to the global scene.
Collaborations with Brooklyn Machine Works
Together, BMW and W-Base dropped exclusive frames, limited colorways, and even custom builds that sold out in minutes. That collab energy kept the Gangsta alive.
BMW x W-Base: Cultural Crossover
Why Japan Embraced the Gangsta
Japan respects craftsmanship, and the Gangsta is a handcrafted steel icon. Plus, the streetwear-meets-cycling vibe resonated with Tokyo youth culture.
Limited Drops and Exclusives
Colorways like candy red, raw polish, and matte black became instant collector pieces. W-Base knew how to create hype.
Rider Communities and Style Influence
W-Base didn’t just sell bikes—they built a tribe. Ride-outs, underground edits, and street sessions kept the fire lit.
Deep Dive into the Gangsta V4
Technical Specs of the V4
- Material: 4130 Chromoly Steel
- Fork: Straight blade steel
- Tire Clearance: Up to 35c
- Dropouts: Horizontal with chain tensioners
- Geometry: Aggressive yet versatile
Colorways and Design Choices
The V4 stays true to the Gangsta aesthetic but adds polish. Raw finishes show off the welds, while bold colors nod to streetwear.
Ideal Setups and Riding Experience
Run it brakeless. Throw on some risers. Or go full pursuit with drops. The V4 adapts to you. Whether bombing hills or tricking curbs, the V4 feels like an extension of your body.
Community Impact and Street Cred
The V4 in Urban Riding Culture
From New York to Tokyo to London, the V4 is a badge of authenticity. It says: “I don’t just ride—I live this.”
Social Media and Street Edits
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok—you name it. The V4 shows up in gritty edits, rooftop rides, and midnight sessions.
Global Presence and Fandom
This isn’t just a bike—it’s a movement. Riders from Korea to Berlin know what a Gangsta is.
Legacy and Future of the Gangsta Line
Is This the Last Version?
Hard to say. BMW keeps things mysterious. But if the V4 is the last, it’s one hell of a send-off.
Collectors vs Daily Riders
Some hang them on walls. Others beat them daily. That duality is what makes the V4 legendary.
The Influence on Future Bike Frames
Compact frames, straight forks, rugged looks—you see the Gangsta DNA in newer brands everywhere.
Why Riders Still Love the V4
Personal Stories from NYC and Tokyo
Ask any V4 rider and they’ll tell you: this bike feels alive. It pushes back. It dares you. That’s what makes it special.
Durability Meets Attitude
You could drop it off a roof, and it’ll probably be fine. But more than that—it looks damn good doing it.
The Feeling Only a Gangsta Gives
It’s not about speed or weight. It’s about swagger. About rolling through your city like you own it.
Buying and Building Your Gangsta V4
Where to Find One
Your best bet? W-Base Tokyo, the official BMW website, or specialized drops on platforms like Hypebeast, Essence, or BikeGallery.
Build Tips and Component Recommendations
- Bars: Wide risers or pursuit drops
- Cranks: Sugino or Profile
- Wheels: HED or Mavic
- Saddle: Minimal, clean look (think Brooks C17 or Selle Italia)
Custom Builds and Mods
Paint it, sticker bomb it, swap forks—make it yours. That’s the Gangsta way.
Maintenance and Longevity
How to Care for a Gangsta V4
Wipe it down. Oil the chain. Check the tensioners. Keep it street-ready.
Common Issues and Solutions
- Tight dropouts? Use anti-seize.
- Wheel rub? Run slimmer tires.
- Rust? Clear coat or strip and re-coat.
Keeping the Street Beast Alive
This frame’s built to last a lifetime. Treat it right, and it’ll outlive most bikes in your stable.
BMW’s Influence on Urban Cycling Culture
Style, Function, Rebellion
BMW didn’t just make bikes—they made weapons of expression. You ride one, you ride different.
Bridging BMX, Track, and Fixie Worlds
With Gangstas doing bunny hops and wallrides, BMW blurred all the lines—and we loved it.
The Future of BMW and W-Base
New Projects on the Horizon?
Word is, something’s always cooking. Whether it’s new frames or collabs, these two are far from done.
Rider Feedback and Innovation
Both brands listen. That’s why the V4 exists. And that’s why the future looks bright.
Conclusion
The Gangsta V4 isn’t just a bike. It’s a statement, a piece of culture, a weapon for the street. From Brooklyn to Tokyo, it has carried a message of freedom, rebellion, and style. Thanks to W-Base, that message echoes worldwide.