BMX for an adult?
 

[Closed] BMX for an adult?

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Hi,

I am thinking about getting a 2nd hand bmx sometime soon to muck about on and also to chuck in the car and ride the short hop to work from where I park.

However, I know nothing about bmx so any ideas on size, makes, what to look for and that?

Don't want to spend much, as I said it is for a bit of fun and the chances of me taking it on the bmx track round the corner from me are slim as I will just get humiliated by all the 13yr olds;)

Cheers and HAPPY CHRISTMAS

themyers


 
Posted : 24/12/2011 10:15 am
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I got something like this
[url] http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/36489/Haro_124_24Inch_Bike_2011 [/url]

24" cruiser

It did put me in hospital and about 4 months off a bike 😉

As part of my recovery - I did some mods

The BONE CRUSHER
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 24/12/2011 11:31 am
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cool, that is the sort of thing!


 
Posted : 26/12/2011 2:13 pm
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I'd second the 24" thing.
I've got one of these but in blue (with some Atom lab wheels) which I have no room for,it weighs a ton but you can have it for postage and a couple of beer tokens if you want..
[img] &f=Photos[/img]


 
Posted : 26/12/2011 2:16 pm
 flip
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I bought this in the summer for £80 secondhand to go play with my 9 yr old on the local ramps, when im bored of it he can have it.

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 26/12/2011 2:28 pm
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I run a Haro Pro24

like this, but in white (with a few mods...)

[img] [/img]

http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/race-series/2012_pro_24


 
Posted : 26/12/2011 4:24 pm
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cheers - loving the colours flip!

Rorshach - dont suppose you are local to b'mouth mate?


 
Posted : 27/12/2011 11:55 pm
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Is 300 miles local?? 😯


 
Posted : 27/12/2011 11:58 pm
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haha not quite but cheers all the same:)


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 9:23 am
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When you get one, let me know and i'll meet you at Iford bmx track so you don't get humiliated alone 😀


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 10:41 am
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My nephew got one for Christmas, I was thinking of getting one too. Forgot how simple and fun they were.


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 10:46 am
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I bought this on a whim about 10yrs ago. 🙂
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2140/2462713290_4a37618f84.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2140/2462713290_4a37618f84.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/2462713290/ ]IMG_5386[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr

Bit rusty now, & the nephews are into bmx now so eye it up when they come round. I have some original black Skyways to go on when I get a chance.


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 10:46 am
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I've got one of these:

[url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6210/6093443943_6f0d9b014e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6210/6093443943_6f0d9b014e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/6093443943/ ]IMAG0800[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimbosussexmtb/ ]www.sussex-mtb.com[/url], on Flickr

and one of these:

[url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6070/6093446993_bb6f5de355.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6070/6093446993_bb6f5de355.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/6093446993/ ]IMAG0897[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimbosussexmtb/ ]www.sussex-mtb.com[/url], on Flickr

and yes, I know my garden / fence / sheds are a mess 😉


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:05 am
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I've had my eye on a 24" bmx for a while now, just need to find a 2nd hand one local to me for about £100 and I'll be falling off in fine style 🙄


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:10 am
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rorschach is that a nyquist r24!! im very very interested if so....


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:53 am
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Ooooh proper midschool that takisawa2 😛

Wanted to build something similar (late 90's early 2Ks) to recapture my forties but eBay/radbmx.co.uk has so far not turned up anything affordable - no worries I now have a newschool basic FBM complete on its way 😀


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 12:14 pm
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Rusty - sounds good, I literally live 2mins walk from it!


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 1:06 pm
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[img] [/img]

Redline Flight Pro XXL for me, extra long top tube. Really got into bmx racing in the last 6 months or so.


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 3:36 pm
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Nice SSS, I'm going to get a new race bike for 2012....

I started again this year after a 30'ish year lay off, I love the racing and the old gits category is massive down this way 🙂


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 5:36 pm
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Current set up
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikes_and_stuff/5328515506/ ][img] http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5163/5328515506_8576fefcda.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikes_and_stuff/5328515506/ ][img] http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5163/5328515506_8576fefcda.jp g"/> [/img][/url][/img]


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:35 pm
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Never really that interested in BMX, but that Haro Pro24 is a REALLY nice looking bike.

What would be the difference between that and something like a 24" DMR (Drone for example)?

slainte ❓ rob


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:51 pm
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Essentially BMXs come in one size. It's not like MTB where you have 16", 18", 20" frame, etc. There may be little variables (just like similar sized MTBs), but they all run 20" wheels.

Surprisingly, there seems to be a lot of people in here into the less common variation, the 24" wheeled cruiser. Which was always a racing bike, within its own category. But I wonder if they're less common with the MTBers purely because 20" wheels are so friggin hard to ride when you're used to 26"?? Because that's what I've found in the past. Wobbling all over the place. It's so different.

For that reason, I'd be tempted by a street/jump oriented MTB ....but then again, a BMX is great fun. You can chuck them all over the place and they love it..


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:54 pm
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@colournoise 'Never really that interested in BMX, but that Haro Pro24 is a REALLY nice looking bike.

What would be the difference between that and something like a 24" DMR (Drone for example)?'

About 10lbs and some razor sharp handling. Race bikes are 'lively' 🙂


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:57 pm
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Race bikes are 'lively'
Holy head angle on that Haro Pro24! No wonder it's 'lively'.


 
Posted : 28/12/2011 11:59 pm
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Merlin are doing these for £200

Looked quite good when I was in last week, although I know nowt about BMX

[img] [/img]

[url] http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Commencal+Bikes/Commencal+Absolut+BMX_CM5551.htm [/img]


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 8:38 am
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I am also still looking for a 24 wheel bike, ideally near Leeds, for similar money, shout if you've got one! Cheers


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 9:32 am
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Essentially BMXs come in one size. It's not like MTB where you have 16", 18", 20" frame, etc. There may be little variables (just like similar sized MTBs)

No they don't,

Most bmx frames are available in different sizes. The redline I have comes in loads of different sizes from mini through to pro xxxl, And that makes a huge difference to the ride of the bike.

Street/dirt frames will vary from 19" through to some of the bigger ones at 21.5"

Race will be from 16/18" through to a massive 23"


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 6:12 pm
 rhys
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As above bmxs race ones at least are different sizes. Its all based on top tube length. Ages are very approximate and different makes have slightly different geometry.
Micro mini
mini 5-6
junior 7-9
expert 9-11
pro small adult
pro xl
proxxl

redline 24
and
haro group 1 proxl for me


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 6:21 pm
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IMO bikes with wheels bigger than 20" feel crap to ride on ramps (though have yet to try a faction 22"!). The transitions are too tight for bigger wheels and it just feels rubbish. Get a 21+" bmx, perhaps with a slightly slacker head angle and higher standover than whats currently trendy in bmx.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 6:38 pm
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I got one of these to practice jumps;

[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/big-bmx-available-in-the-uk-25635/ ]BigBMX[/url]

Only because it came up cheap on the forum. Never ridden BMX before so guessed it might be better for me, cant tell you if its good or pants yet.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 6:52 pm
 GW
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Never ridden BMX before
seems you still haven't

I agree with what Tom said except Slacker H/A don't really work on BMX (especially on ramps) and I can't see why you'd want less standover. once you're used to riding a BMX you'll be able to ride everywhere stood up without too much drama.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:06 pm
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So if I wanna get a BMX to 'sharpen' my skills (where sharpen reads '0.5" bunny hop' is a 20" going to help more or be more of a hinderence than a 24"?


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:09 pm
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Essentially BMXs come in one size. It's not like MTB where you have 16", 18", 20" frame, etc. There may be little variables (just like similar sized MTBs), but they all run 20" wheels.

What are you on about? Theres a huge variation in sizes. My BMX is a 21.4, most of my friends who've tried to ride it have all said its too big for them. Likewise, I cant ride a bmx with a 20" top tube.

But I wonder if they're less common with the MTBers purely because 20" wheels are so friggin hard to ride when you're used to 26"?? Because that's what I've found in the past. Wobbling all over the place. It's so different.

I think you'll find if you're shit on a bike then you'll struggle to ride one. Most of a decent BMX riders I know can also ride a MTB quite well and swap between the two without issue.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:15 pm
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They're all bikes and it takes about a minute to get used to each wheel size or geometry.
I ride mountain bikes, 24" bikes and a bmx and a fixie. Jump on each one and ride it. Its all fun.
Bmx's are great. Just pimped mine with tan sidewalls. Its a stolen sinner..


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:16 pm
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They're all bikes and it takes about a minute to get used to each wheel size or geometry.
I ride mountain bikes, 24" bikes and a bmx and a fixie. Jump on each one and ride it. Its all fun.

Exactly!


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:19 pm
 GW
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Same here. Switching between road, BMX and mountain bikes feels familiar immediately, don't think I could ride a tourer tho 😛


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:34 pm
 lord
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[img] [/img]
i have this 1 , tried 20" bikes but couldnt help but feel like an accident waiting to happen and the wife says i look special riding my 1985 team mag burner. if your near manchester try the indoor bmx track and ride there bkes , they have 20" and cruisers to use.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 7:44 pm
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I think you'll find if you're shit on a bike then you'll struggle to ride one.

Nope, you riding gods don't have the monopoly on fun you know 😆

I think what butcher is trying to explain is that BMX frames aren't measured by seat tube as MTBs, and yes, toptube length does make a massive difference to bike feel. Pop over to [url= http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php ]radbmx.co.uk[/url] - plenty of like-minded, helpful folks over there, some newcomers and some from waaaay back in the day with shed loads more experience than us lot 😉

mama (crap on a 20"er, but smiling, since the mid nineties) dirt


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 8:07 pm
 GW
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mtbs shouldn't be measured by seat tube either.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 8:14 pm
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except Slacker H/A don't really work on BMX (especially on ramps) and I can't see why you'd want less standover.

Mentioned those things as I would assume the reason for wanting 24" over 20" is for a more stable and "bigger" feel. I do prefer the look of taller bmx frames though, most modern frames are low slung and look rubbish.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 8:18 pm
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don't think I could ride a tourer tho

Oi!


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 8:32 pm
 GW
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Tom - longer (Chainstays and toptubes) = more stability for a 20" BMX not really H/As.
a few years back talk about H/A in mtb became very fashionable but lets not get caught up in chatting for fashions' sake, yes in mtb slack H/As are better for stability when going fast over rough ground but we don't really do that in BMX so instead the geometry/positioning is tailored around handling/manouverability, the fastest BMXs are generally race bikes but if you look at the H/A of 20" racebikes compared to street/park (slowest) bikes. you'll find they often use almost the exact same H/As.
even with big wheels BB height can play as much importance to stability as H/A but it's simply not fashionable to worry about that so much yet. (maybe next season, eh? 😉 )


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 9:18 pm
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Can't argue with that 🙂


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 9:24 pm
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My son and mine. We both ride in the cruiser class. A bit more stable than the 20's in my opinion and great fun riding with most of the other dads! Cheap racing as well. I got my first cruiser for £100 raced a few times, liked it so built this one. Now have a new Identiti cruiser frame for next years racing.

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 9:41 pm
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Oh and forgot to mention, whilst Specialized and Giant aren't really bmx companies or seen as "trendy", they seem to have some of the only completes around the £400 mark that have a full steel frame and 21" top tubes 🙂


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 10:07 pm
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longer (Chainstays and toptubes) = more stability for a 20" BMX

That's interesting GW - I've built up many BMXs over the years and always striven to get both TT [i]and[/i] stays as short as possible in contrast to my first proper build of a 21" TT General Lee with 15" back end 😯 . I guess for trails that fashionably short back end isn't so important (heck, I don't see myself tailwhipping anytime soon 😆 ) and may go some way to explaining why my only attempt to ride the local bowl ended in carnage 😆 . Same with my MTBs - makes sense looking back - the longer chainstayed bikes (Kona Coiler, Intense Uzzi, On-One 456) were the best dhers.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 10:18 pm
 GW
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I'm still riding long 15"ish (well.. v. slightly shorter) chainstays on both my BMXs.
but I like short stays on mtbs and relitively (for a DH bike) short on DH bikes.
kinda like all my bikes to feel as close to the one I ride most (which for over 15years now has always been a short/low 100mm HT) curent one has 16" chainstays, haven't seen anything else similar much shorter in Alu that's still front mech friendly

[/GEEK] 😳


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 11:20 pm
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Nowt wrong with being a geometry geek - I've been doing the trial and (mostly 😉 ) error thing for years . . . currently slack and super-short is in favour.

makes sense looking back - the longer chainstayed bikes (Kona Coiler, Intense Uzzi, On-One 456) were the best dhers.
. . . oh, and the Kona Five-O 😛

. . . and on reflection, my current ride (Commencal Absolut SX) and the little short-stayed Dialled Holeshot were definitely the most fun in the twisty stuff.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 11:37 pm
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got myself a bmx about 18 months ago whilst teaching no 1 daughter to ride.. seemed unfair for her to try to keep up with my mtb. shes now 8 and on a 20'' and rides standing up the whole way round our 2 mile loop..


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 11:44 pm
 GW
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mama - I'd love a shot of an Absolut SX, I like the idea of a SS'd play/mini DH bike. (infact a SS DH bike would be sweet too).. too many bikes already tho 😳

totalshell - I nearly always take a BMX on local group rides with younger kids. it's not to let them keep up easier (my BMX gearing is higher than a SS mtb would be) it's so I'll choose lines and make route choices more suitable for smaller wheels for them to ride.


 
Posted : 29/12/2011 11:51 pm
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If you ever around Cwmcarn then give me a shout - you're welcome to have a go. Super tiny (20" toptube) - 'tis like a big BMX with squish 😛


 
Posted : 30/12/2011 12:32 am
 GW
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don't see me being down that way in the near future but you never know.. cheers for the offer. 😀


 
Posted : 30/12/2011 12:38 am