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My lad is getting really into pump tracks and a little bit of air. I’d like to join him but my niner Jet isn’t the most pump track friendly of machines. It’s just too physically big.
So I fancy a bmx so we can play together. What do I need to know? FWIW in the eighties I rode a grifter so I have no experience from back in the day...
Top tube length is everything.
But so is rear end length.
As someone who loves BMX if you haven't ridden one before you will need major commitment. I have had to relearn after a few years off and I know other who have learnt in their 30s and 40s but it takes a fair bit of work. A jump bike may be a bit more forgiving if you've not risen before and are only doing it for a bit of fun with your lad.
Just start browsing here and see what tickles your fancy- LINK
If you're a lifelong mtb'er whose everyday bike is a bouncy 29er you'll absolutely hate your life on a BMX. Doable, but you'd have to put the hours in.
Even a 26" DJ style bike is startlingly fast and twitchy when you first ride one. I've got a Transition PBJ and it's mint. I'm crap but once you get used to the speed of a slick tyre with 80psi in it it's quite thrilling. Mine wants to fly, it's just my crap technique keeping it on the ground. I lost my 'pop' years ago and I'm struggling to find it.
Having said that give it a go. If you're tall go for. 21"+ TT. Go for a slightly older frame and you will get a longer back end so more stable. Try a few if you can. Longer backed would be 14"
Right. From what I see on EBay the cheapest bikes have no dimensions. But the frames which do are reasonably priced.
So is the way forward a donor bike and a new right size frame. Or is bmx a mess of non matching standards too?
I bought a BMX off here at the start of the year and I'm loving it, especially since I don't have time to get out much at the moment. An hour or so down the skatepark is ridiculous fun and a surprisingly good workout.
I'd echo what's been said above, it feels awful twitchy if you're used to an MTB and WILL take some adjustment, so persevere. Mine is pretty long in the TT and back end, I had a go on a more modern shorter bike and it definitely felt different. Toying with the idea of bigger bars for mine too.
I've managed to jump three stairs so far, building up to four and done a few jumps at the skatepark.
Be prepared to feel like your legs are crumpling when your bum looks for a saddle and doesn't find one! A fully dropped MTB saddle is still high.
So is the way forward a donor bike and a new right size frame
That's how I was going to build a BMX. They're pretty much worthless second hand, just like DH bikes. Pick a bike where someone has splashed out on a decent spec and then probably hit puberty and got sick of it. Then buy the actual frame you want in the correct size.
Not sure on current standards but as long as the BB and headset are the same you should be good.
If it is only going to be used on pump tracks would a race box be a better bet? Long top tube and definitely longer chain stays. Plus it will likely be lighter.
Not much use if you want to start doing tail whips with the kids though...
What’s a race box?
Sorry, race BMX. The auto correct on this site is f'ing annoying - Type bmx and get box!
Pretty standard if after early maybe 2010 (guess date) . 1 1/8 headset mid BB, race and the occasional custom have euro BB.
I recently bought a bmx.
Usually ride an xl 29er so wasn't going back to 20" i'vve ended up buying a fit 22" bmx.
The top tube is long enough and the bars are not far off the 29er in height, first manual will land you on your arse.
Fels nice rolling around a skate park, only problem i have i used to ride brakless and keep hitting my hands on the lever.
also check bmx and pump track directory for a great uk map of places to go.
I ride (rode?) full suss and love a 29er, and found 20" (wheel) race bmx bikes too twitchy, but a race cruiser (24" wheels) was lovely to learn how to pump round a track at 50 years old 🙂
Mine was a Floval Flyer but buy whatever is available on Facebook race bmx buy and sell pages.
Stunt bmx bikes are incredibly strong but sooo heavy!
I like the solidness of my frame, but I'm trying to learn jumps and drops and it doesn't always go exactly to plan...
but a race cruiser (24″ wheels) was lovely to learn how to pump round a track at 50 years old
Agree, a good compromise and great fun. I even used one as a single track single speed for a while (with a VERY long seat post). More fun than an MTB, less mad than a 20" BMX.
If you for a cruiser look for v brakes if they come with them.u brakes are pretty useless esp if its rear only.
Ha yeah, my brake is basically SQUEEEEEEAL with no discernible decrease in speed followed by a skid. It's ace!