[Closed] Aged 44, buying dirt jump bike = end up in hospital?

Yes - Stop being silly 😀

Which one are you going to get?

The fact that you're asking the question means you know the answer

I'm 46 and I don't have (nor will I) a DJ bike

It's the scorn poured on by all the nurses that will hurt most.

mmm nurses.... Might be worth the pain then?? 😛

Depends, are you good on the jumps or just a regular stw mincer, looking for some bling to polish?

Haha perfect summary by fergal

I'm 44 and found myself recently buying a dj bike to accompany my youngest at the jumps on their bmx.
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I'm totally awsums on d'jumps init....

Ok, i'm not going to get an invite to the RB Rampage, but i can jump (sort of) 😆

Don't be daft just get one. I just got an NS Metropolis off eBay for £170 and with a little tlc it's riding really well. Great at the pump/Bmx tracks with my kids, but even better at Redhill Extreme hitting bigger jumps than I've ever done before. Oh, I'm 42

I've managed to arrange hospital trips on a road bike aged 25ish, an XC bike aged 36, a CX bike aged 43 and a full susser aged 45, although fortunately only the first required me staying overnight.

Would I get a better class of hospital visit with a jump bike? 🙂

I've just built up an ageing Gimp frame using lots of my decent 26" spares and feels great, so I say go for it.

I'm 46 by the way.

Since a fatbike replaced my hardtail I needed a pump track solution.

Ok, how does one know how big a frame one needs for a DJ bike???

I did this a few years ago and bought a BMX in a moment of madness. I think I went out on it three times before smashing a nice big hole in the cartilage on my knee.

I wouldn't bother mate; yep, you're too old, yep you heal too slow and yep it will hurt.

I'm still hurting from falls and crashes I had 10 and 20 years ago. I'm also 44. I go out of my way to avoid crashes nowadays. Takes a lot longer to get better.

I've been thinking of this myself. I'm shit at jumps, was thinking this might help. I'm 43 🙂

I'm shit at jumps, was thinking this might help. I'm 43

Ok, how does one know how big a frame one needs for a DJ bike???

Smaller is better.

Bigger is more comfortable (and stable) to people coming off MTB's.

But even a 'long' dirtjump frame will only have a ~23" top tube.

Get one. I'm currently tempted by a BMX and am 37 with a fear of my wheels being off the ground.

maxtorque - Member
Ok, how does one know how big a frame one needs for a DJ bike???

5'10 + will want a long everyone else a medium, children ride smalls.

Tbh its rare to find anything other than long or short.

Decent long frames are a pain to find.

Start small and build up. Ride weekly and after 3-4 months you will be getting more comfortable. Just don't try doing massive doubles straight away

A DJ bike is a pretty specific tool, what are you hoping to ride on it? Don't tell me - dirt jumps 🙂 ?

46 next month and I have been looking at dirt jump frames. I have an older 26" hard tail which isn't getting much use and my 5 year old is keen as mustard to get up the skate park. My main bike is just too long and travelley to be any use on a skate ramp.

I say go for it. Won't expect to be pulling off back flip or huge transfers but it beats the hell out of watching from the sidelines.

just make sure you buy really good arm/leg body protection/pads and a good full face helmet and yer good to go ... Unless you have No idea how to jump 😆

Like all political careers, it will end in failure. Ibuprofen slow bone healing, and age slows it even more.

If you can get to a place with a foam pit, they are so much fun.

Radical Bikes in Highwood near chelmsford is excellent as is Adrenaline alley in Corby.

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29 here, never been a jumper, bought a DJ/4X frame a few months back, used it a couple of times, realised you need to have been decent on a bike since you were a kid or have A LOT of spare time to not kill yourself. Sold it.

realised you need to have been decent on a bike since you were a kid or have A LOT of spare time to not kill yourself.

Stevet1
A DJ bike is a pretty specific tool, what are you hoping to ride on it? Don't tell me - dirt jumps ?

I'm lucky enough to have both Woburn and Chuicksands just down the road, and Corby just up it, so plenty of places to [s] ride [/s] hurt myself.....

crack on then, no better way to spend your time that at the jumps IMHO.

I went to Chicksands.... never been in so much pain.... never quite been the same since.

im 36 and have just got one, been taking the kids to the pumptrack and chasing each other round, then the odd evening at S4P, i have got some very impressive bruises on my arse and legs!! but im definitely improving!!

You don't have to go to hospital but yeah, you'll get hurt. Goes with the territory i'm afraid. Partly because it's dangerous but mostly because it's so much fun you'll end up riding when you're exhausted but wont notice til it's too late. Just take it easy and work on technique, stamina and steeze and you'll be grand.
[b]
Please note:[/b] When you do fall you must get back on the bloody horse!

Have fun 😀

+1. Not a dirt jumper myself but ride bmx at skatepark and trying the thing that just bucked you off is tough but has to be done

is there a list/directory of places with foam pits in UK?

What @TheBrick said.
I'm 40 and started bmx 4 months ago, 2 crashes so far, both my fault and both where avoidable.

If you build up your skills and confidence step by step, you will get there and enjoy the path, if you try to rush you'll probably crash, and lose what you've gained.

At our age it's not that the crash hurts more that when we were younger, it's that it takes far more to recover!

Of course you will, so what are you going to get 😉

I've been riding my Dune at Chicky and Woburn and it's so dam long the fronts landed before the backs even taken off, which makes styling it up somewhat hard!

I'd quite like a nice DR Jekyll if i can find a long one!

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With a username like maxtorque I'll be disappointed if you don't get one.

Mrs LF (a nurse) says you should only get a jump bike if you are good looking.

What's not to like, small agro looking bike, dirty jeans vest and a pisspot - look awesome leaning outside the pub 😉

You don't stop playing when you grow old.
You grow old when you stop playing.

Me. Aged 43 and 3/4

Injury that would heal in a week will now take you 2-4. Doesn't really seem like a reason not to unless you are self employed / manual trades etc. Even in that case just make sure you are insured and have fun. I'll never understand why so many people seem to die inside at 40 in the UK. +1 to all those older I still see giving me a run for my money on the trails 🙂

As long as you've got some nice small jumps nearby to build up your confidence and skill go for it.

I built myself a DJ bike for £200 this winter and its been alot of fun. My jumping has improved massively, just had to put in some practice and i've yet to crash so smiles all round.

lycanthropefailed
Mrs LF (a nurse) says you should only get a jump bike if you are good looking.

Even assuming i don't land on my face and smash my nose / teeth, Mrs LF is going to be sorely disappointed ..... 😆

I thought i'd start on these nice small jumps:

[img] [/img]

only kidding!

You might be kidding but the thing is bigger jumps are normally easier, lots of landing to aim for and the jumps will have been well built to match the size of the gaps etc.
Those look fun.

I'd love to learn to dirt jump .. any dirt jump school near london???

Radical bikes is nearish

Radical bikes is nearish