Tinker Juarez: The BMX Prodigy Who Never Stopped Pedaling
If you’ve ever dipped your toes into the world of BMX or mountain biking, chances are you’ve heard the name Tinker Juarez. A legend in both disciplines, Tinker’s story is one of relentless passion, gritty determination, and a lifelong love affair with two wheels.
🚴♂️ From Downey to Dominance
Born David Juarez on March 4, 1961, in Downey, California, he was nicknamed “Tinker” by his family—a playful twist on “Stinker,” which his mother affectionately called him as a baby. The name stuck, and soon it became synonymous with BMX greatness.
Growing up in suburban Los Angeles, Tinker was drawn to bikes early on. He started riding between the ages of six and eight, but it wasn’t until he turned 13 that he began racing competitively. With no cycling background in his family, his passion was entirely self-driven. Holifield Park in Norwalk became his playground, where he and neighborhood kids built their own tracks and jumps. It was DIY BMX culture at its finest.
🛠️ The Rise of a BMX Icon
By age 15, Tinker was already turning heads and became one of the youngest professional BMX racers in the country. His early sponsors included Mongoose, JMC Racing, Bandito Racing, and ODI. He was known for his fearless racing style and his ability to pull off high-flying aerial tricks that earned him the nickname “The King of the Skateparks.”
Tinker wasn’t just a racer—he was a showman. His ramp tricks were jaw-dropping, and his style was unmistakable: Vans on his feet, wild gloves on the bars, and a grin that said he was having the time of his life. He appeared on countless BMX magazine covers and was inducted into the ABA BMX Hall of Fame in 1993.
🎥 Legendary Video Sections
Though BMX video culture wasn’t as prolific in the late '70s and early '80s as it is today, Tinker still made his mark. Footage of him tearing up tracks and skateparks on his Mongoose Motomag became iconic. His style was raw, fast, and full of flair—exactly what BMX fans craved. More recently, short films and retrospectives have celebrated his legacy, showcasing his enduring skills and influence.
🚵♂️ Reinventing Himself in MTB
In 1986, Tinker made a bold move: he transitioned from BMX to mountain biking. What started as curiosity quickly became a second career. He joined General Bicycles and later signed with Klein Bicycles. But it was his time with Volvo Cannondale that truly elevated his MTB career. He raced in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics, won a gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games, and became a multi-time national champion in both cross-country and 24-hour solo racing.
His sponsors over the years have included Cannondale, Mona Vie, Siemens, and more recently, Floyd’s of Leadville and Zerouno Bikes. Even after nearly three decades with Cannondale, Tinker continues to race—now on a Zerouno hardtail.
🔥 What’s Tinker Up to Now?
At 64 years old, Tinker Juarez is still racing—and winning. In 2025, he claimed the Masters World Championship jersey in Cairns, Australia, proving that age is just a number when passion fuels the ride. He’s currently competing in endurance mountain biking events and continues to be a fixture in the cycling community.
TINKER JAUREZ | The Legendary Skatepark Video | 1980 |