Dirt Jump/indoor/skate park bike for the boy ?

Used to be really into these type of bikes but haven't for years so my knowledge may be outdated, but NS Bikes have a good range of DJ/park bikes and have seen them going for around that used.

Dartmoor have a few as well, the Two6Player seems to be the most popular one. Not sure how easily available they are in the UK any more but they used to be great value, got my old Hornet frame for about £180 from Slam69.

I'd say go for a "proper" DJ bike over a MTB hardtail, the steeper head angles, lower standovers and shorter wheelbases are better.

If you're building up from parts and struggling to find old standard parts I have some older 26" wheels (EX721 on Pro 2s) I'd be up for selling or trading/part ex for any 27.5" stuff.

Yeah i should've bought the NS bikes about 7 months ago from CRC... They were crazy cheap.

There's the GT LaBomba which can be £575 with discount code.
https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=10737&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2PUMPn57xpLiWx9v2_SBtzGDKf3T9uUb76Uk30fiFWDwpHRStB_NjxoC-pYQAvD_BwE

That's within realistic budget. But speaking to a mate last night "that a bit crap" he said.. but i think what he thinks we should have and what we can actually afford may be quite different. This is only a plaything, so the budget is a lot less than if it were our dedicated DH bike etc of course.

I would say if it's for skate parks go for a BMX. I know people do ride jump bikes in skate parks but they are a lot more awkward because of their size. This is especially true with crappy council concrete parks as the transitions are quite tight and the ramps small.

It'll be both. So think Adrenaline Alley as well for example as that's not too far/expensive. Our nearest sake park is Newbury

Which isn't too small.... it's a reasonable size... Next after that is proably Fleet really.

In the usual tradition of recommending what you have I have a Saracen CR3 for pump track/messing about/very occasional BPW trips and it’s been excellent.

Could probably pick up a used one of these for your budget, or wait for the usual Saracen sale and pick up a CR2 and just replace the fork when he kills it.

It's literally double your budget so sorry about that but YT have the Dirt Love on sale right now. They accept GCI cycle scheme vouchers if that's a thing you can do.

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Edit, I've just checked and they don't any more. Must've just missed it 🙁

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Edit edit: how about a shiny Transition PBJ?

Which isn’t too small…. it’s a reasonable size… Next after that is proably Fleet really.

That's a prime example of a council skatepark with tight transitions. AA will still ride better on BMX than jump bike. As I said not that it's impossible but a jump bike will not ride as well on a skatepark compared to a BMX.

If its a bike to ride at skateparks primarily a BMX will ride better. If its a bike to ride at mainly at trails (as in DJ trails) and occasional skate parks then as far as dirt jump vs BMX there is a not much init. DJ a little bit more forgiving if the surface is no super smooth and a BMX better in the skatepark but but the difference becomes less important and more what you like. Something to think about.

P.S. Cardiff is worth a visit for jump boxes

It won't get used at DJ trails... ever... If we're going to trails, it's on the Enduro/DH bike... this is purely really either 'it's dark' (road lights A339, will be able to see in the skatepark) or it's wet/cold so we'll be at an indoor place.

Feel free to recommend BMX type bikes if more suited then guys.

if you're going new then the GT looks fine. Sure some of the parts on there are basic and cheap but it's a jump bike, the wheels go around and the suspension squishes,  that's pretty much it.  You can replace or upgrade bits as they wear out and parts are usually much cheaper than you'll be used to.

Aluminium or steel is fine, older ones will have straight head tubes which could limit what fork you put on at a later date but the Manitou Circus comes new with a straight steerer and is a great fork.

Look around on FB, eBay and PB and you'll find plenty of bargains.

Sliding dropouts are good and make it simple.  DJ tyres are cheap as you don't need anything fancy.

Jump bikes haven't really evolved much over the last decade or so (apart from tapered head tubes and tiny geo tweaks) so second hand is fine as well.

BMXs haven't really changed at all and even half decent new ones are cheap as chips compared to MTBs.  They are much less forgiving to ride though so Jnr might want to have a go on one first before committing to that route.

Good luck and have fun (treat yourself to one as well and chase him around the pump tracks, it'll do wonders for you technique and fitness.

Can you not get a deal on the Privateer DJ101?

Look around on FB, eBay and PB and you’ll find plenty of bargains.

There really doesn't seem to be.. Or nothing that's jumping out at me in either DJ or BMX.

Not knowing much of course doesn't help here... but i'll learn a bit.

I do like 'new' and that GT i do like the looks of too. I need to come up with a plan to get him to try/test something to see what style he prefers maybe..

I skate with my son at a fair few parks, have taken my DJ (mk1 26" DMR Sidekick) to a few.
Don't bother, get a BMX, the transitions are way too tight, it's like hitting a wall.

I think that if you're happy with the price of the GT then go for it.  I'm sure you have enough random bits lying around to tweak it to your liking (bars, stems, brakes, etc).  It's the same frame as the Cannondale Dave.  Sure the parts aren't fancy, but it's a jump bike so they don't need to be.

https://www.sourcebmx.com/products/fit-trl-xl-bmx-bike-2023

Looks cool, longer TT and slightly slacker HA of a trail bike will help with stability a bit though will still feel alien compared to a MTB!

I used to have a Sunday Model C which kind of bridged the gap a bit, it's a 24" but designed to ride more like a proper BMX than a cruiser style.

20" wheel the way forward then ?

I guess there's a massive difference in how a 20" will ride compared to a GT LaBomba with 26" and longer frame

Get a bmx. Cheap, cheerful and way better for skateparks.

i bought my lad a dmr sect when we were all stuck at home so he could go to the local pump track/ skate park.
It’s the only bike we’ve had like that so I have no comparison but it was great.  Best on pump track and ok at skate park.

How about a 22" wheel BMX as something in between?

I've got a 20" BMX and a 26" dirt jumper. I originally got the BMX as something cheap and fun to go out with my son on his balance bike and also for me to muck about on and practice skills on. But then a DJ came up for sale locally and n+1 and that. I haven't ridden the BMX since.

DJ feels much more like a mini MTB than the BMX and is easier to transition and transfer skills (or lack thereof in my case) between a big enduro bike. DJ brakes are much better than BMX, which helps my confidence, and I controversially run a front brake which is good for practicing trails type skills. Suspension fork also makes a big difference on your wrists. Most cheap DJs come with coil forks which are rubbish, I replaced mine with some cheap air forks.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3423097/

That's decent in terms of value if we went DJ... but then i checked where Brampton is and it's sodding miles away up in Cumbria.... eeeeek. I've done Cumbria before now, it's milllllllllles away.

For those who are interested in 22" BMXs... https://www.sourcebmx.com/products/fit-series-22-bmx-bike?variant=32010635870319

I love these things and currently it's about £460 with the code 'saveten'.

I'm just gutted that last years model was so much better looking without the naff gold bits.

Thanks @sharkattack i like that...

Currently having a few disucssions on which/what and will get some chats in with the lad over the weekend too and get his thoughts.

sponsored by DMR

sponsored by Privateer

DMR have jump bike

Privateer have jump bike

i don't have any more because racing it too expensive

what jump bike for £500?

Normally I'd have said get a BMX for sure, but they do take a bit of time to get used to, and your comment about taking an enduro/DH bike to the dirt jumps makes me think they're not for you...

I used to ride mine a lot, and eventually could switch back a forth between it and my MTB with zero problems. But after a layoff of a couple of years my BMX felt terrifying again so I sold it and now only have a DJ (well, 4x) bike.

Looking around at what's available on PB, this would be my pick https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3656664/

Some great parts on there, make sure the forks are working as they should etc and you'll be golden.

As mentioned BMX would be better for park transition but you can ride a DJ bike there and as long as you accept it's limitations you'll be fine. Think of it like this - if you wanted to absolutely get the best skatepark bike then you'd pick up a BMX, but if all you want to do is improve some jumping techniques etc and transfer that to your lads bigger bikes then a DJ bike will be fine and allow a quicker learning curve.

But the lads only young, and BMX is cool so... get him a BMX, get down the trails, dig all winter and ride all Summer 🙂

Surely you NEED an Airdrop fade? Sod the budget.

I have a 24” cruiser bmx and it’s fun when it’s not trying to kill you. £500 would buy you a decent enough brand new bmx.

I’d imagine a jump bike would be a bit easier going.

@ianpv is probably worth speaking to about bmx / pump track bikes

sponsored by DMR

sponsored by Privateer

DMR have jump bike

Privateer have jump bike

That's all pretty simplistic mate... Just because a company is prepared to give ABC to the team, doesn't mean they'll happily give a £1000+ to an individual. The world just doesn't always work quite like that.

I have of course had a little email to both.. but i certainly don't expect things for free.

Normally I’d have said get a BMX for sure, but they do take a bit of time to get used to, and your comment about taking an enduro/DH bike to the dirt jumps makes me think they’re not for you…

I used to ride mine a lot, and eventually could switch back a forth between it and my MTB with zero problems. But after a layoff of a couple of years my BMX felt terrifying again so I sold it and now only have a DJ (well, 4x) bike.

Looking around at what’s available on PB, this would be my pick https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3656664/

Some great parts on there, make sure the forks are working as they should etc and you’ll be golden.

As mentioned BMX would be better for park transition but you can ride a DJ bike there and as long as you accept it’s limitations you’ll be fine. Think of it like this – if you wanted to absolutely get the best skatepark bike then you’d pick up a BMX, but if all you want to do is improve some jumping techniques etc and transfer that to your lads bigger bikes then a DJ bike will be fine and allow a quicker learning curve.

Thank you... 🙂 great reply.

Chatting with Katy, you're on the same lines in that the transition from trail bike to DJ bike will be a lot easier than the transition to a full on BMX.

I'll take a proper look at the Dartmoor later when i get a chance, it's in Bristol too, so not too far away... Thanks for that too.

The Fade would be my choice if I had the time, money and youth left to use it.

but something like that Dartmoor is great.

To quote Taj Mihelich (BMX legend and PB contributor) BMXs are almost agricultural (in a good way) compared to MTBs. They’re just some steel tubes welded together with wheels and bars attached (obviously they’re a bit more nuanced than that). They’re solid, damn near indestructible and haven’t really changed bunch since we were kids. So you can get a pretty top end one for not much money. But a top end BMX is not the refined tool that a top end MTB is, it’s a (fun) blunt object.

I still think the La Bomba would be fine for what you want. Maybe ask around his sponsors, local shops and the races to see what people have on offer. But at least a new bike has a warranty and will be shiny.

His team’s sponsors might not give him a free DJ bike, but they might have an ex-demo or show bike or an old team rider bike that they’ll sell for a good price.

Thank you… 🙂 great reply.

No problem, and personally I always thought you should get him a DJ type bike -  there's nothing like going back to 'only' 80mm of front travel* to show up any weaknesses in technique. I think it will be the best £500 you spent in terms of improving skills etc. Speaking of which - assume he's okay on flat pedals?

Oh and as well as hitting up pump tracks, don't forget to search out your local BMX track and head for a session, you'll be amazed how knackering it is after a couple of full laps.

*I can remember when the best DH forks of the day came with 80mm of plush elastomer travel...

No problem, and personally I always thought you should get him a DJ type bike

You're not the only one who's suggested it in the past... but there's only so much time, money, availability to do countless other stuff. I've never disagreed with the logic, you only have to watch some of the other riders to know that the skills transfer well... You could say the same about buying him a KTM350 lol... but that ain't happening.
So it's not like we ever have been or are against the idea at all.. it's just not always been the right time. But this winter the focus is not as much on DH bike/riding as previous years and he's got slightly different targets in terms of what we're doing together and when... So this time it's time for trying the DJ/something bike.

I know at times it looks like we ignore advice or don't listen to XYZ, but honestly that's never the case... It's just sometimes whilst the advice is great, it's not quite the right moment for it/us

Speaking of which – assume he’s okay on flat pedals?

He only went to cleats this year in Jan/Feb when Crankbrothers supplied new shoes/pedals, but i'm sure he'll be OK as he rides my bike at times with flats and seems OK with it.

I'd just get any cheap old dj bike from local to you. There's normally a few things on ebay - fork you want either rigid or lock-out-able (I prefer the latter, in a dj fork, as you can put it on forgiving mode when you're playing on bigger things) - but they really haven't changed much in the last 20 years. My 1999 specialized p3 would still do absolutely fine.

I'd go for
26"
singlespeed (with sliding dropouts)
3 piece cranks (not essential)
lockout fork

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165869833312

would do just fine, pump a million psi in the forks and you're good to go

I just run my old Marzocchi Dirt Jumpers at 60psi (10 more than the manual says, but Ronnie from Marzocchi said that it would be fine) and set the rebound slow. As 5lab said, fancy suspension is not really needed I just like that tiny bit of comfort when I totally balls something up.

You’re not the only one who’s suggested it in the past… but there’s only so much time, money, availability to do countless other stuff. I’ve never disagreed with the logic, you only have to watch some of the other riders to know that the skills transfer well… You could say the same about buying him a KTM350 lol… but that ain’t happening So it’s not like we ever have been or are against the idea at all.. it’s just not always been the right time. But this winter the focus is not as much on DH bike/riding as previous years and he’s got slightly different targets in terms of what we’re doing together and when… So this time it’s time for trying the DJ/something bike.

I know at times it looks like we ignore advice or don’t listen to XYZ, but honestly that’s never the case… It’s just sometimes whilst the advice is great, it’s not quite the right moment for it/us

Of course, I wasn't saying that - I think you're doing an amazing job both with supporting your lad and with dealing with the comments on here. Just meant to confirm that it would be a good idea.

I’d go for singlespeed (with sliding dropouts)

3 piece cranks (not essential)

lockout fork

Yep to all that.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165869833312
/a>

would do just fine, pump a million psi in the forks and you’re good to go

Nope. Bikes have move don even if they look similar, the DS1 was a great bike in it's day but even then had a reptration for cracking at the head tube. It will be a lot shorter as well, and the forks will be poor compared to even a moderately good modern one.

I have an older GT labomba which has probably been ridden barely 30 times and only at small pump tracks or skateparks, and not very well.
It's too harsh on my wrist now though.

It's the full fat spec so has proper DJ forks with a 20mm axle on the front. It can be made for sale, purple, all brakes, still has the nipply bits on the tyres, few scratches (like I said, ridden but not very well).

https://www.northwestcycles.net/bikes/mountain-bikes/2019-gt-labomba-dirt-jump-bike-purple-os__5417

Bought it from there too.

Tredz had some good deals on DMR, down to £850 I think. Over budget, but at least a known quantity with a warranty.
Almost pressed buy on one myself but that was just the effects of being stuck in an all inclusive holiday resort in Benidorm for a week. Would have definitely lead to a “what sling for…” thread.

I've got a DMR Rhythm 24 for pump track duties. I have no idea how old it is and it scares the crap out of me. It's also heavier than the sun. I really should ride it more.

Calibre astronaut from a few years ago was a good vfm pump bike. And as others say, dmr sell more than anything in that world, loads on facebook marketplace etc

I was going to suggest the Astronut. They were a nice fun bike, I tried a friend’s and was impressed.

stop saying you're sponsored then. you have just been given some freebies. i know people sponsored by DMR and they can get any DMR items they want.

Surely a 2nd hand Curtis

Nope. Bikes have move don even if they look similar, the DS1 was a great bike in it’s day but even then had a reptration for cracking at the head tube. It will be a lot shorter as well, and the forks will be poor compared to even a moderately good modern one.

Disagree. Some 20mm forks would be better (albeit more expensive), and that particular frame might be cracky (not sure), but short is good, the wheelbase of BMX bikes hasn't grown, longer DJ bikes are just for old duffers who want them to feel closer to their trail bike, and damper quality doesn't matter at all when you're only using 20mm travel

Yh right! No one actually wants to ride a horizontal ladder 🤣

In my experience of

A) dirt junping

B) downhill

C) BMX at skateparks

D) this thread,

it doesn’t matter what you buy him.

BMX is VERY different to mtb, but dirt jumping is very different to DH. Your kid is clearly a skilled rider, better than I was at his age but from what I’ve seen he can be a bit picky. I managed perfectly fine transitioning between my DK General Lee, Stab Deelux, On-One Gimp (that’s where Pimpin Gimp came from) and my Haro DM24 cruiser back in the early 2000’s so your boy will no doubt be fine on whatever. He’s a talented kid. But…

Through reading this thread it seems he gets stuck in his ways and won’t try certain other things if he likes what he likes, until he tries them that is, so maybe see what you can borrow or have a go on locally.

DJ bikes are pretty alien if you haven’t ridden them before, BMX bikes are even worse (cruisers are the worst of all worlds, sorry Joe!) but with time he’ll get on with them ok. See if you can avoid fads - no need for wide, low bars on a DJ bike for example so get him comfortable on whatever cockpit he has.
If he’s going to the skatepark and wants a BMX then what is he going to ride? If it’s just jump lines get him a longer frame bmx with larger tyres. If he’s going to be throwing spins on the mini ramp get him a street bike.
Don’t get him a race bike.

Also, don’t discount outdoor trails - some of the best summer evening and weekends  I can remember as a teen were on DJ bikes at the trails, the best weather, the best people and just chilled flowy days on nice hand built doubles. Not to be sniffed at.

Personally I’d buy him a DJ bike with 26” wheels, single speed, 1 brake, riser bars about 680/720mm wide.
Don’t get him anything from a decade ago u less you know the provenance - they get battered!

Then when he realises he prefers jumping to racing you can sell all the expensive nonsense and get back on with your weekends on the motorbike 😉

To quote Taj Mihelich (BMX legend and PB contributor) BMXs are almost agricultural (in a good way) compared to MTBs. They’re just some steel tubes welded together with wheels and bars attached (obviously they’re a bit more nuanced than that). They’re solid, damn near indestructible and haven’t really changed bunch since we were kids. So you can get a pretty top end one for not much money. But a top end BMX is not the refined tool that a top end MTB is, it’s a (fun) blunt object.

Stuff like this is why I kind of wish I never stopped riding BMX, I love the simplicity and no bullshit aspect of it all! I was never good at tricks apart from a few grinds and spins, but loved the feeling of flowing round a park/bowl. Probably why my favourite MTB trails are essentially oversized BMX trails. It's just really hard to go back to it when you're older and used to the stability of bigger wheels, slacker angles, mellow MTB transitions etc. Plenty of riders get on fine with 26" on park though, look at Tom Cardy, Sam Pilgrim etc.

I'm now looking at the Fit Series 22 wondering if I should try it 🙂 got a few decent local parks.

Dan Atherton seems to like his 22” wheeled BMX.
I still think just get a jump bike. But don’t go too old if you go 2nd hand.

That Dartmoor on PB looks good, I'd get something like that. Anything new will be much lower spec and geometry isn't such of an issue with slightly older jump bikes.

That DS-1 is a donkey. I know someone who bought one brand new and had to get his face reconstructed after the headtube fled the scene while riding down some steps.

Leave crap like that in the last century where it belongs.

Modern DJ bikes with nice clean frames and strong/safe forks are a joy to ride.

Just a reminder, per my last post, I've got the perfect bike that can be for sale if somebody wants it.

2019 GT Labomba, I'm incapable of riding dirt jumps so it's essentially new.

After lots of discussions and planning we've got a DMR Sect on the way..

I'll post some pics when we get it.

Thanks all for the ideas..