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Hi
Can anyone recommend or offer any buying advice on a BMX for a 13 year old boy? He's a confident rider and will use it for getting about and the odd slate park but I don't envisage anything too extreme.
Budget is around £200. Ideally he wants one with an oil slick finish but I get the impression these aren't too common.
I presume a the standard 20" wheel is the way to go. Any difference in size elsewhere that I need to consider?
Any pointers or advise is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I got a message from the SIL about the same oil slick 20” wheel BMX for my nephew
so interested in responses
She’d found a XN BEAST bmx bike that is oil slick 20” from e-bikesdirect (also sell on amazon / eBay) circa £145-165
Comes with standard spokes or mag wheels for £15-20 more
She asked my opinion I replied I have No idea, although I said go magwheels
Had an email from Ruytland Cycles which had a awesome looking Mongoose with loads of money off it. I'd get one just to hang up on the wall 😉
Thanks. Presume you mean the L60? Looks neat. How would the 25x9 ratio be for general riding about?
My son is selling his 2016 Colony Premise for £175 if you are looking to buy 2nd hand, its a really nice bike in good condition.
I said go magwheels
Magwheels arent good for BMX, more style over substance
How would the 25×9 ratio be for general riding about?
25x9 is the norm in BMX, back in the day was 44x16 but the down sizing has maintained the same ratio of pedal turns to wheel turns.
with an oil slick finish but I get the impression these aren’t too common.
typically oil slick is a finish applied to after market parts, not many complete bikes will come in this colour way
A quick look at Sourcebmx.com they have two models which look like they'd do the job:
Both are sized to suit 4ft - 5.4ft so should do a 13 year old, both are excellent starter bikes, parts spec is okay, I would signpost that the rear wheels are the same on each and might give up the ghost if used hard after a few years, but aftermarket wheels are available which will last for much longer when that happens.
Have a look at Collective. I have a C1 and it's ace.
Second the Collective C1. My lad has one. Rides really well. If they’re good enough for Ryan Taylor. 🙂
Both good options. Not many bikes without all hi-ten frame and forks at this price.
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/bmx-bikes/gt-team-phelan-signature-2018-bmx-bike
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/bmx-bikes/diamondback-venom-bmx-bike
Noooo not winstanleys!!!!!!;
I know what you mean! I had a rummage around other places, but these were the best bang for buck at that price sadly.
What's wrong with winstanleys?
I would avoid the low end Mongoose BMXs. My son rides his BMX a mile or so to school every day, and somehow managed to fold the down tube on his Mongoose BMX on the way home from school. He never admitted what he did, but I wasn't impressed with the strength of the frame. I replaced it with a 2nd hand Mafiabikes BMX from ebay. I think he has had that 18 months so far and it has stood up very well to daily use in all weather, only needed new brake pads, and soon a new rear tyre due to excessive skidding...
He never admitted what he did, but I wasn’t impressed with the strength of the frame
If I had to guess I would say the damage was deliberate by him or others TBH. I've ridden for years and not seen or heard of just a downtube folding especially from just riding to school! Intrigued to ask if you have a picture of the damage.