MacNeil BMX was started over a decade ago (in 2000) by a group of Canadian BMX riders that included X Games veteran Jay Miron, flatland rider Jamie McIntosh and product designer Darcy Saccucci. Miron, who rode for Schwinn at the time he wanted to start MacNeil, remembered the day it all began.
"The company actually became a reality the day after the X Games in 2000. Schwinn knew that I wasn't resigning for 2001. So they let me out of my contract on August 29," said Miron. The Schwinn bike he rode in that X Games, he handed to a fan in the crowd and never looked back.
When the brand began, Miron jumped in headfirst assembling one of the best and most well-rounded teams in all of BMX at the time. "The first thing that really put MacNeil on the map was the team. We were determined to put together a team of all different kinds of riders, but more importantly riders with original style. We didn't want to have a team where every rider has the same style and does the same tricks," said Miron at the time.
MacNeil sponsored the likes of Dom Mach, Dave Friemuth, Ruben Alcantara, John Heaton, Alistair Whitton, and Miron as well. From there, the team rode international contests such as the Backyard Jams, toured skateparks and released a full-length video produced by Stew Johnson. As this was happening, MacNeil helped to redefine BMX frames and components. The Ruben Alcantara signature frame was one of the best selling frames of the early '00s. Innovative components followed, such as the Pivotal seat system, one-piece guard sprockets and lighter pegs.
With help from team sponsor SoBe, MacNeil was able to pay the team riders a decent salary and get the riders wherever they wanted to travel. Good things were happening were for the brand, and it quickly became Canada's premiere BMX brand, with worldwide reach.
Things started to change a few years into MacNeil. Ruben Alcantara was the first rider to leave the brand in 2003. Additional team riders left, new riders arrived, and the brand and product continued to evolve with the changing times. In 2010, MacNeil's biggest blow came in the form of Jay Miron announcing his departure from all things BMX, including his stake in MacNeil. He sold his part to McIntosh and Saccucci and walked away from BMX.
It was hard to imagine MacNeil without Miron. But the brand pushed forward with a new team, new art direction and new initiatives, such as cranks, pedals, 26" cruisers, hubs and more. Now over two years since Miron's departure, the brand is injecting new life into the team, adding riders such as Kevin Kiraly, Jeff Kocsis and earlier today, Vancouver, B.C's own Sam Lowe. (Lowe left Wethepeople Bike Co. last month.)
"I'm super excited to be a part of the MacNeil crew," said Lowe. "I've been friends with pretty much everyone involved for a long time and it feels good to be behind a brand that is based out of Canada and is making some of the best [parts] in BMX. We've got big plans for the future and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it."
It's been a long road for MacNeil. Times have changed and people have moved on, but the brand's focus on team dynamics and innovative products has allowed for MacNeil to evolve with the changing times. Lowe joins Jaumell Campbell, Greg Flag, Dillon Lloyd, Chris Silva, Chris Martindale, Andrew Lazaruk, Jeff Kocsis and Taylor Elvy on the new MacNeil pro team.
