What Happened to Tyler 'Super T' Klassen?
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- Опубліковано 6 бер 2018
- One of the first ever winners of the Redbull Rampage - Tyler 'Super T' Klassen is a huge legend of freeride mountain biking. But he seemingly dropped off the face of the earth and left the limelight of the industry, so what happened? Pinkbike went to catch up with Super T and find out where he went.
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Pinkbike should do videos like this. Mountainbiking is the only media covered sport where almost 100% of the media focus is only on what's new and hot on the table that's happening right now. There is noting more interesting than hearing stories from the retired, they never have to hold anything back. There are so many more avenues that can be explored with stuff like this with extremely interesting content. Maybe you have to be older than a teenager to truly appreciate this video as much Is I did but there isn't any better content than stuff like this.
What a remarkably well-balanced guy. Doesn't blame anyone for what's happened in his life; doesn't carry around a chip on his shoulder. Good luck in whatever you want to do, Super T.
that was really cool! Thanks for making this
Would love to see these type interviews with all the drop in crew!
Super T... Weather you are riding in the industry or not. It doesn't matter. Your path is yours and good that you are able to see that. Many go thru life living false paths for whatever circumstances. You sound like you are content.
I for one am thankful for the imprint you made on the MTB world. You and many others of that era for me back into riding on the mountains after many years of giving #mtb the finger and sticking to BMX. I couldn't imagine my life now without MTB or where I would be. I don't huck big old drops like I used to (still do once and awhile to shown the groms the old dude still gots the skills hhah). Bit still ripp my bike as often as I can. It's my happiest place.
Also met you while doing a Drop In tour and you guys rode with us small town Dirtbags just like it was no thing and we felt like the rockstar's that day. It kindled a freeride flame in our community that still burns strong.
Thank you for being at a place and time in our sport that helped it become what it is today and weather you like it or not. You're an icon to some of us old Dirtbags out there. Respect!
I grew up watching super T and now 15 years later here we are, I'm not biking anymore, watching this stuff makes me very sentimental. I wish all the best for Tyler! and who knows, maybe next year I'll get me a pair of nice wheels! It's been a long time since I sold my old demo 9 ...
Wish it were a longer interview. 14:24 just isn't enough time to encapsulate what happened to a superstar of the early freeride movement.
His story is an example of what happens when your passion goes to being your dream job and then becomes a business nightmare that brings a lot more complications like pressure to stay on top, pressure from hungry young competitors with new skills coming from behind you, wondering where your next job and paycheck is coming. I think that's what Tyler Klassen meant by iron prison.
I think the pivotal moment that killed the riders of his generation was when Paul Basagoitia reigned in a new style of riding when he easily won Crankworx. Doing the biggest hucks, no footers, no handers, manuals, and riding across a 4 inch skinny in the forest were no longer good enough to get sponsorships. The industry now wanted BMX X-Games style tailwhips, and backflips.
It must be tough for a 20 year old to realize that their skills which were at the top of the heap not long ago are no longer relevant in a changing industry. You either adapt or hang it up.
It did not take Tyler Klassen guts to hang it up, but it did take guts for him to get over it, mature, refocus his energy into leading a healthy life and outlook, and now look back at all his accomplishments at least having the satisfaction in knowing he is in the history and record books and set a high bar for younger guys to beat.
I hope one day he gets back on a bike but not for money, big hucks, trophies, Kranked DVD's, or for the public to see. I hope he gets back on his bike in the serene forests he used to enjoy in order to reconnect with what once gave him a lot of fun and pleasure.
Today my hands grabbed the Drop in Season 2 dvd and I fell back in time with all those riders....Super T, Romaniuk, Tremblay, and all the crew. Than I put my hand on other dvds.... Josh Bender, Cowan, Pritzel, ecc ecc. What happened to all this inspiring humans in the last years?! Here I am whatching this great real life video.
Still a fan of old school freeride! This was my mountain bike world!
Still whatching 2000s dvd.
The best! The dream! Everything was to be defined!
Good Luck Super T!
Cheers from south Italy ;)
That was a great interview, super well done guys!!!
Awsome piece Pinkbike. Love to see more like these.
Awesome to see Super T again, even if he's not riding. Drop In is what got me into bikes, and he and Romo were definitely my favourite riders.
A true legend of the sport.
that was the best interview i ever saw, like a time machine of memories right there
Pinkbike, you should start a whole season of interviews with bikers from those days ;)
Maybe someday you can gather more than one guy ;)
Tyler is a legend! I remember seeing ''Jib'' with one of my highscool buddies and we couldn't believe half the things we saw! My fav part was Tyler's by faaaar. That cinema stairs jump is insane. Thanks for this video!
Cool human. I remember his section in Kranked 5 was just outrageously awesome.
Im sure that the mtb industry has a spot for a humble human and a great FREERIDER like you. Great inspiration for me those years. Glad to know about you.
Beautiful, tragic, and inspiring story. Love the subtle suspense music.
Wow. Great to hear Tyler's story. A true star of the freeride days.
Awesome to see Tyler. I was wondering what happened to that dude. He accomplished allot My idol back in the day. Thanks for the edit. Glad to see he's still smiling
The Godfather of Freeride. Nobody went bigger than Super T! My favorite rider of all time, still watch his videos. Best of luck Tyler you deserve success cuz you the man!
Just like a "where are they now" video, but the actual person is not in jail or a cokehead!
Drop in was the reason I moved away from BMX and got into MTB/Freeriding, I've not looked back since. Thanks to all involved with Drop in and associated subsequent video releases. Tyler got me so stoked to ride back then I fear that element is lost nowadays, all I see is kids smashing turns all day long which is devoid of any sense of adventure. Super T you 🤘🏻.
The one legend of my youth.
Wish you all the best on your way(s) thru life tyler!
Watching Super T and Steve Romaniuk in the first series of STUND was what got me into mountain biking all those years ago, I had no idea the crash in that series was ultimately what ended his career!
Thank you for making this, PB! I grew up in the early 2000's MTB scene and there's a lot of nostalgia associated with the bikes, riders and terrain. Tyler - you're an absolute legend! The humble tone in this video really hit home - that you for sharing, candidly, your journey through the freeride era. All the best to you in your future endeavors.
I wasn’t expecting to be moved by this video. Thank you for sharing Super T. My best wishes to you.
A very nice production Pinkbike.
Nice!! “My biggest accomplishment in mtb was.... not dying”. Awesome.
What a great interview on a great person.
OH HELL YEAH! Haven't even watched one second yet but I am soooo stoked. This guy had immense style in a time when few did.
My hero of childhood, i remember when he won his rampage... Now i am 26
Wow. Cool Interview
Growing up you guys were our heros trailblazing the freeride era. Be proud of that! I pretty much wore out nsx5 and kranked 5 tapes
Being a 30 something that loves MTB, I am totally with Tyler's idea and energy now! Send it dude!
Super T was my favorite rider growing up and he inspired me to do things on my bike I never thought I could do! He is an inspiration to a whole generation of mountain bikers and he has my respect for life! LEGEND!
This was awesome!!! Glad to see super T is still around! Thank you guys for shredding back in the day, I will never forgot those days!
Legend and still is. Especially for having an outlook on life that good after being attacked. Im also in that situation and feel so inspired by the way youve dealt with that. Thanks so much. A legend in more ways than one and a true inspiration.
This interview is GOLD! All the best T!
A true legend! Thank you for all you've done for the sport and good luck in a future.
Thanks Tyler. You and drop In boys inspired me to pursue my mtb dream. I rocked a trail and park builder position for 8 years. Travelling, meeting new people and shredding, just like on drop In. Thanks man.
last time I saw tyler was at Darrens movie premiere in Vancouver, was blown away to see him there, awesome interview and edit pinkbike, glad to see hes doing well.
Great work Pinkbike, and best wishes to Tyler!
Such a humble dude, Super T and the DropInTV crew got me into biking
Thank you man for all....
Big inspiration in my riding all those years ago. More power to you
DROP IN TV!!!! That got me into MTB when i was a kid! Loved the crew, Tyler, Steve, Cam, Dylan. Need a reunion!
What a great story. Fame truly is fleeting. Live for the ride, not the fame. Glad to see Tyler has learned a lot from his time as a paid rider.
Very well articulated!
Great to see you found your happiness, it takes time to find it in ourselves 👍
Cool vid. I met him waiting in the lift line at Whistler circa 2003-2004...very cool and humble. Loved watching him ride the North Shore in those NSX vids, he owned it.
Thanks for the inspiration ive seen every episode of drop in👍
Awesome interview, always wondered what happened to him. Great outlook on life now beyond the bike. Just watched his video part on North Shore Extreme 5 Lights out. So good!
Luv Tyler! Such a great interview
I sat down to rewatch the collective... Tyler shows up in the intro credits and i wonder what happened to him...
this was a great piece; open and honest. thank you for putting it together.
Awesome vid. Kranked 5 was some of the first vids that I tripped on decided to go get an MTB
Clear and open soul; cool as hell !
Live on
Well done Tyler Super T. Totally & brutally honest. Love the old Drop-In tv series. Have all series on dvd. Hopefull u still keep in touch with da crew. Especially Steve Romaniuk. U r a group of originals mate. Good to see ya still goin. Pinkbike should do a interview like this on each of the guys from Drop-In. Maybe a Reunion? 👍👍👍👍👍👍.
Well, that's a video I've wanted to see for years.
Great story, amazing to see. You guys should do a video "what ever happened to the drop in crue" would love to see what everyone is up to now
Hell yeah Super T. Loved Drop In, riding or not, you are a legend in the sport. Glad you're doing well.
Should judge rampage ......
matt noel I believe he has judged before. More than once I think?
Please do the whole drop in cast! I saw Dylan on Andrew Taylor's channel and he's got a cool bike museum! Thanks for the great content!
Awesome to se super T again! i often wondered what became of him. He disappereared so quickly. i still dont think i have seen many riders as talented as he was. good to see him happy in life! - Legend!
Your A legend!
Never forget it!
A very telling story about the industry.
Can you guys do this again?
This guy is awesome man grew up loving DropIn
I have always admired Tayler Klassen, a very positive man, You are great, best regards.
Hero. You can’t ride like that forever, most of us would be happy to ride like that once. Turned mtb‘ing from a niche sport into a spectacle.
Best vid in ages
Man that's really inspiring. Thanks tyler
So cool to see you talking here about your past. I also competed in the race face challenge back in the day. I was blown away with your edit this time. You deserved this prices so much. I really hope that you are still happy with your life. For the future....Just get an EMTB and a sponsor and your back in the game. Seriously :) stay tough 🤓👍 // Pinkbike thx!
Fantastic, Super T!
glad to see you're the captain of your own ship. Rock on super T!
He just amazed me. How wise, how humble !
I remember watching DropIn after school with Tyler, Romaniuk, Jared, Dylan Tremblay, Mike Kinrade, Ryan schnepf, Darren Butler, Chris Glew and the number of Guest riders they had.
Tyler was and still is to this date one of the best technical riders you will ever see. He was primarily known for the big drops but he was one hell of a North Shore rider as well. Although he wasn't in the first pool with Wade, Tippie and Schley, hes still one of the pioneers of our sport.
Top bloke. Responsible for myself and buddies building trails that scared the hell out of you. Progression of the sport.
This was valuable
Really great story!
Super T sending rampage 30 Footer was a sight to behold, sometimes i wake up and watch the new stuff and it doesn't hit me as when i saw the first huge HUCKS.
my heart dropped. growing up idolizing him when i was just a little grom watching all the shore vids, the last half just hurts to watch. i know you got some left in the tank. mtb LEGEND
Aww man,Tyler inspired me so much when I was younger. I'd watch the collective, get baked and go "hucking" in a local quarry. There's no mountains in Cornwall UK but we have a mining heritage that makes for some interesting utah-esque spots. What ever happened to Steve Romaniuk?
Ever since I watched DropIn, I've been wondering this exact question. Always heard rumours but never knew. Wizard on two wheels!
Somehow this is sad. All the best to you Tyler
That is really sad such a trip down memory lane
Legend right there 👊🏻
Rad. I've wondered for a while what happened to that guy. True stud of early freeride, making things look pretty clean.
I remember recording drop in tv way back in 2005 when I used to ride a kona stinky. Super T was my fav out the gang. I have a bad crash in 2009 broke my ankle so bad I was in hospital for 6 weeks and 7 surgery’s, lost a lot of range of motion in the ankle and gave up biking. So here I am now 38yrs old and I’ve just started again. No knarly shit just small jumps and blue trails, feels so good to ride again but I won’t be pushing my limits
You guys should track down more guys love to see more of these
Good times!!! Legend!!!
Do one of these with all the old names please.
This touched me .1 of my hero's .he has strength
Super!
True Legend. Love.
Loved the big dirt jumps in the beginning of Kranked 5. Very few would touch the jumps Tyler did.
Awesome
But does he actually still bike alot? Like just with friends.
A true legend. Hopefully you've found some happiness Tyler.
No one could handle a bike like you bro. Not even close. You were the best. Still watch Kranked 5 just to see you ride. Lol.
"...Its a big and burley ankle,
I been working it out and its extra strong so now I can drop in extra heavy!"
Hahahaha
Tyler,
I remember filming you riding off Eric Hamber high school roof in Vancouver on your Brodie Hard tail. If I remember correct, your helmet bounced off your rear tire behind your seat, but remained on your head. And you rode away from it.
Good lord I miss this guy
i still got my Drop In DVD's :D