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I keep getting tempted by a a BMX to piss around on down the skatepark when I don't have time to mtb, and there always seem to be loads on ebay and such for not much money.
I know TT length is the important thing on a BMX and I reckon I want something 21" plus cos I'm quite tall with long monkey arms. Most of the ones I see have no useful info, so is there a standard way to measure the TT? Is it centre to centre, end to end or what?
It's probably irrelevant because I'll never have time to ride it, but still.
Top tube is measured centre to centre from seat tube to head tube. Vast majority are 20.5 tt especially full bikes. You'll need to find something unusual/pricey to get much more than 21.5
Modern bikes with long head tubes and massive bars are a huge improvement over the tanks we used to ride in the 90's but it'll still be a shock to the system if you've never ridden one.
Strongly recommend just going to a park or track and asking someone for a quick blast on their bike. You might find that you lose your appetite when you realise your chin is out over the front axle.
I rode bmx for years and I still watch loads of videos and get the urge to buy one but I'm honest with myself. I'd never ride it and getting anywhere near the ability of the kids who make it look really easy is practically a full time job.
Cheers.
Yeah I used to have a BMX when I were a lad, making jumps out of bricks and planks and all that... I had a go on a cheapy one a year or so ago for an hour, managed to bunny hop it and roll around a mini a bit so it's not completely new.
Just be nice to have something to piss around on when I'm short of time, which is most of the time. I tried a skatepark on my hardtail, it was a laugh but not ideal with slack front end and bouncy forks. Felt really unwieldy.
I should really get out on my skateboard, but I'm a lot crapper on that!
I've got a WeThePeople that I don't use if it's of any interest? It's a Warriors frame, which was a signature frame so one of their higher end ones. It has a 21.5" top tube which in all honesty is a bit too long for me at 5'5. It's built up with mostly Salt components from a lower end WeThePeople, but it rides well.
Fit make full builds with 22" wheels that look really nice. Loads of 2019 models in the sale at the minute. They're a little longer and taller than a 20" but still look like a proper bmx rather than a goofy cruiser.
@drewd interested if OP isn’t. How much?
I'd like £70 collected for it. I'm in Lancs and would be willing to meet up in the North West.
@drewd that sounds pretty much ideal if I can get over there to pick it up. Let me see how we're looking for free time and I'll drop you a PM tomorrow.
@scunny if I manage to get it you can have first dibs in a couple of months when it's only been ridden twice down the road 😉
Ace. Just need to check with the Mrs when we're free (she's currently asleep) then hopefully combine it with a ride out your way somewhere.
I got a 21" wtp a few months back and it's currently the bike I look forward most to riding, just love it. If you're nervous about going to a skatepark then plenty of them will do adults only / bike only sessions that you might find more comfortable. Really though, nobody really cares what your doing, if you're going to be self conscious then it probably isn't going to work out because there's a lot of mistakes, tries and falling off involved but lots of reward and fun too
If anyone else is interested I have a wtb judge BMX which I cannot see me using again. It's got salt components, and oddeyssey back brake, I up wider higher rise bars on it and a new back wheel. It's based in Nottingham. Would happily let it go for about £80. I only used it a few times but I prefer skateboarding!
How do you measure a BMX?
With an endoscope