Back to BMX in 40's?

I have BMX another try a few years back and wow it hurt a lot. I rode flatland/street/park originally and managed to build a similar bike back then.
Looked into it recently and I can’t find a bike with a front 990 mount so I’ve given up thinking about it. I know the BMX world has changed but I can’t believe the front brake has been abandoned completely. I need one for flat and park - I’m too old to learn new stuff without proper brakes.

Oh and I just found out that Custom Riders has just shut down - nightmare! The BEST BMX shop!

I got a bmx last year....free....1984 mongoose californian....I got it back to the original, all shiny and new....but there is no where near me to ride it....might just ride it it around boxhill ...50 this year....my saving grace is I'm only 5"5 so it fits me perfectly..ha ha ha

Get a 24" street trials bike instead, slightly like a BMX but hydraulic brakes. Or maybe a 20" Alias 20.2? Learning trials is hard in my 40s but greeting there slowly! You can pump them on pump tracks and skateparks.

Actuality I saw some older BMXrs on Folkstone F51 skate park. I kept getting in their way so went and rode in the concrete skate bowls on the 1st floor instead. Super fun even without any defiance of gravity!

Can't remember whether a mate told me or I read it on here - but anyway, apparently if you're a morning person, get down the BMX track at 6am. The only other people there - if any - will be other 40something blokes trying to get a bit of practice in without being laughed at

Suppose I should get a race bike as I’d love to do the race tracks but I know I’d want to do some flat on it but that’s the opposite end of the BMX scale as far as spec goes!!

Oh and BTW if it ain’t 20” it ain’t a BMX to me!! Not a chance in hell I’m going to be trying to do flat tricks on a trials bike. 😂

I used to ride from the late 90's into the 2000's. I'm also a few weeks into 40.

I still watch loads of street riding on YouTube and daydream about building a bike but I know I'd never use it. I can't find the time to ride the bikes I do have.

If I could jump back in and have the same skills and riding ability that I had 20 years ago I'd be more keen but the last time I actually rode a BMX I could barely pedal it or hop a kerb. Too many years riding adult sized bikes probably.

I think my last chance will be when mini me starts riding. It would be a shame to just stand around doing nothing when I take him to the skatepark or pump track.

Also has 22" died out already? They look great but there's not many options available.

The only other people there – if any – will be other 40something blokes trying to get a bit of practice in without being laughed at

Me and a friend used to do the Stockport early Sunday session. You had the park to yourselves before the parents dropped off the kids. Was a group of skaters that did the same slot with middle aged shred t's on.

Looked into it recently and I can’t find a bike with a front 990 mount so I’ve given up thinking about it. 

Can't you just buy any bike you like and change the fork? You can still buy Pitchforks with brake mounts.

Odyssey do their forks with mounts too, as do Colony.

Haro have just released some repops of 91(?) models with 990 front and rear brakes.

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Get yourself on the Ride On BMX Facebook group - it’s for over 30s only and there are loads of encouraging people on there and some meets ups too. Some of the indoor parks have an adults night, and I’ve found Sunday evening can be a good time, when the scooter kids have gone home to bed.

I started BMXing in lockdown after never having done it before. Mostly street cos that's what we had nearby. I got a lot better at bunny hopping than I was before, managed to clear a four set of steps (feels like a lot with tiny wheels and no bounce) and a few other bits and bobs.

Drifted away from it recently (I was just trying to learn to grind) as we've got back to a more normal life and other things fit in better. But it's definitely doable (I was 40 when I started).

Start small, just get used to riding the thing and small stuff like kerbs to figure out balance points etc. Then you can build up to bigger stuff if you want. It's a lot different to an MTB.

Early mornings at the park worked for me, but we had a pretty decent choice of outdoors ones. I also spent a lot of time on a deserted uni campus.

Get yourself on the Ride On BMX Facebook group – it’s for over 30s only and there are loads of encouraging people on there and some meets ups too. Some of the indoor parks have an adults night, and I’ve found Sunday evening can be a good time, when the scooter kids have gone home to bed.

Do they publish info outside of Facebook? I don’t use it and don’t want to.

Haro have just released some repops of 91(?) models with 990 front and rear brakes.

They are very expensive and to be honest look crap, bash guard under the cranks - WTF? Just really for rich nostalgia nerds rather than for using.

Late 40's here. 5 years ago I bought a cheap old 24" DJ bike off ebay (24/7 Slacker) to use on a recently built Clark & Kent BMX pump track near me. I am wheels on the ground, no gnarr pootling around bridleways on my MTB, and had no previous BMX experience (other than riding about local area with mates in the 1980's). 

I used to go to the pump track mid week lunch times (to try to avoid the crowds). It was great fun and kind of forced me to improve my pump, manual and bunny hop techniques (from non-existent to still very lacking). 

There were occasionally a few twenty something lads there on their BMXs who were always friendly, though their level of skill vs mine was a bit intimidating. 

The main thing I found was I was knackered in under an hour and I felt like I had done a full body workout! 

Over the last few years I have got more into road cycling so the Slacker hasn't seen much use. After reading this thread I may have to take it out for a spin.

I have just built up a Raleigh Burner, never had a BMX as a kid, sadly I had a grifter. I am 44, over weight and 6', but have managed to bunny hop have not managed manuals or wheelies yet. Its great for getting out with my boys with out having to drag out a mountain bike and keep on the brakes so they can keep up.

I was also given a mafia krush 2, it was brakeless as is the way a lot of riders have them now. As standard they only come with a rear brake but the fork is drilled for one. not the best bike in the world but they are quite cheap.

I broke the vein to the side of my coccyx after failing a jump on my bmx about 6 years ago. I still have the swelling and still can't sit comfortably on a plane for long.

My BMX hasn't seen much action for a while, but just yesterday I pumped the tyres and checked it over, tempted to take it back to Royston at the weekend for a roll around the track. I'll be 45 next year and never rode BMX for long as a kid.

@Bigdean is that the Asylum near mansfield?

I know a guy in his 40s who goes there on his 27.5+ mountain bike and just gets on with it. I'm about 20 minutes from there and am pondering popping down for an hour on my 26" jack flash to see if it will help me learn.

@b230ftw I'd agree that the Sport and Air Master are a little indulgent (I know the guy behind them and it's fairly typical of him!)- especially the use of 44T rings to keep the bash guard profile authentic to the 90s, but the Ground Master is lovely for a flatland or short street bike with a nod to the past.

Just thought worth pointing out for their inclusion of a front U-brake as that's a significant part of the OP's remit.

41 ride weekly. Stopped for a few years I. Early to mid 30s but mid to late 20 was intermittent due to Billy no mates.
There will be a older group about near you.
Ride on on Facebook as above.

Do they publish info outside of Facebook? I don’t use it and don’t want to.

That and market place are the only reason I am on Facebook, you don't have to use it for anything else. It's an easy platform to manage groups on. A few articles here https://rideon-bmx.com/ but all the meetups are published on Facebook.

Nearly 59 years old bmxer with double hip arthroplasty, get on a pump track for a seriously tough workout, i do like to push it, only a matter of time 😂

That and market place are the only reason I am on Facebook, you don’t have to use it for anything else. It’s an easy platform to manage groups on. A few articles here https://rideon-bmx.com/ but all the meetups are published on Facebook.

I have very personal reasons why I won’t touch Facebook and I always find it disappointing that groups use it as it does shut people out who can’t or won’t use it.

@seriousrikk yes the one in Mansfield.

Used to drive past it going to and from work. The irony was not lost on me that I'd have killed for something so close 20 odd years ago instead of driving to Derby.

At the min just getting comfortable back on the little bike would be good rolling around. I'm 6'6 and the 22" feel good, bars are a lot higher on modern bikes. Friend has a Standard shaman his rear triangle is as long as my shoes!.

I always find it disappointing that groups use it as it does shut people out who can’t or won’t use it

I understand you may have personal reasons (I am not keen on Facebook) but as for shutting people out who can't won't use it, the exact same thing could be said about any platform. I think it's the easy management that does it for most groups, settings up a forum etc takes much more work.

I guess I’ll have to miss out then. ☹️

Happened with a local MTB group. Used to organise everything via email but then went to Facebook and promised they’d keep in touch and send me info the same way but they didn’t bother and forgot about me, I never managed to find out when they were riding or where so that was the end of that.

I could well be doing this soon if I move near a decent bmx track. Good to know there's some old farts in the same boat. I'll be down early morning obviously so I'm not having kids 'smoke' me

I got back into it at around 45 and soon got back out of it after trying a manual across the garage and ending up on my back out cold for a few minutes. Used to have brakes in my day!

My day was also between 1980 and 1988 where most people used the same bike for everything (racing, flatland, skateparks etc,.) so was much more straight forward back then, yes I will remove my rose tinted glasses now.

40's? Do it! Old farts (and fartesses) ftw!

50's

60's

Hopefully joining the ranks too as velosolutions just put a new "all wheel" track in near me and it's way bigger than I was expecting. Just need to find a cheap secondhand bike which is a minefield of poor photos & kids bikes.

Hopefully joining the ranks too as velosolutions just put a new “all wheel” track in near me and it’s way bigger than I was expecting.

Don't live in Hillsborough do you? New track looks mint. I'll be popping down for some after work sessions on the DJ bike soon, but maybe after the local hordes get bored of it.

I've definitely been sitting at work all afternoon looking at BMX frames.

That's the one. The kids are all over it right now despite it not being officially open. I think they'll be bored of it before the summer holls.

I’ve definitely been sitting at work all afternoon looking at BMX frames.

Me too. Can’t seem to find any with a short top tube and front brake (and preferably a free coaster!) yet though.

I dare say you definitely won't find one! You'll have to cobble something together.

I don't know where the best BMX classifieds are but Pinkbike has a section. There's loads of high spec bikes for sale but mostly with 20.5 TT's and I want to try something longer and taller. I might look for something with a posh build kit and treat myself to a new frame in a large size.

I ordered my last good BMX from Empire in Texas. Back in the days when the £ was worth something and they used to write 'gift' on the customs form. I'd try that now if I thought I would get away with it.

I didn't have the ££ right now for anything good, I'm just after something that isn't rubbish. I'd be swimming in options back in 2001 when I last rode but totally out of touch these days. Ordering from the USA and getting "gifts" were the good old days.

So went and had an hour rolling around asylum. Was good to start with nearly empty and I like pumping around the main bowl part. Got busy after and hour but I was knackered by then and meeting some friends after work tomorrow.
Found a thread where I asked the same question two years ago, Linky
Actually finding that made me get of my backside and go.

Good stuff! Not got a BMX myself, as mentioned got a 24" street trials bike. Kinda see them both as one side of the MTB coin with gravel riding on the other. A fair bit of cross over with what you can ride on street trials bikes and BMX. Though haven't ridden a bmx since my teens. I've found bunny hopping really works those muscles in a way other exercise I do don't. Got over 50cm the other day on the bunny hop bar. A few pull ups and bodyweight rows, planks, side planks etc, once or twice a week, help. More muscle = less injuries. Just gotta keep the riding frequent to increase the skills.

50cm is good!

I’ve found bunny hopping really works those muscles in a way other exercise I do don’t.

I've found the same from pumping around transitions/ bowls.

Well I was bound to happen. Found a park with little spines fell off and broke my arm and brushed a rib.

My fault as didn't commit to going over the spine, tried to foot plant and foot slipped.

Yep and when broken/damaged bodies means time off work, longer healing time etc,. it is not quite the fun it was when 16 years old.

I went to the local big general sports shop looking for tents so that the family can go camping. I didn't find a tent I liked but on the way out I noticed a GT Slammer with 25% off. It would have been rude not to.

I got into trouble from the missus when I got home.

Anyway, my first question, is the front brake supposed to work? It's a caliper type that's routed through the top cap. Pulling it as hard as I can doesn't really slow me down. The rear brake is a u-brake which seems to work a bit better.

I thought that it was just on there because it was a legal requirement for it to be sold but the fact they routed it so that you could do bar spins makes me think it's supposed to actually work. I wonder if it's just cheap crappy pads?

Just take the front brake off. They only put them so they’re road legal at point of sale.

Just take the front brake off. They only put them so they’re road legal at point of sale.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I was just surprised they went to the trouble of routing the cable that way if they expected everyone to just take it off.

I remember back in the day my first BMX didn’t have 990 mounts on so I bought an ACS Boa which had been modified with cartridge bearings and a 10mm mount - some company in the UK modified the stock ones. Worked really well but I upgraded to 990 mount forks.

Man I wish I had my old bike back. ☹️

It was a We The People Pony - 19” TT and super short rear end.
Custom machined Standard Byke stem flipped to get as low a front end as possible.
S&M Castillo bars, later on I had Odyssey Milk bars.
Odyssey heat treated forks with 990 mounts
Profile race cranks with race spider to fit smaller cog on.
Primo Steroid Seat
Front G-sport hub on peregrine super pro rim
Rear rim can’t remember but it was on a Static Freecoaster (SA coaster hub modified with a welded shell) with a Standard Byke heat treated axle and Graveyard 12t stainless cog welded on.
Primo V Monster tyres (obvs!!)
T1 rear alloy with steel sleeve pegs (so I could grind) - front pegs were standard Byke a huge grenade pegs in alloy to stand on!!
Custom cable splitter for rear brake with gyro.
990 brakes front and rear with pads which meant they worked amazingly well.

Was my perfect street/park/flatland bike. I have a pic somewhere. I’ll try and dig it out.

Edit

Yep and when broken/damaged bodies means time off work, longer healing time etc,. it is not quite the fun it was when 16 years old.

With age comes wisdom. We dont need to impress anyone. We can put or egos aside and master the basics before progressing to riskier riding.

@b230ftw - love that build, classic mid school. I used to run milk bars as well, something like 25" wide - how did we ever cope?

I wouldn’t want massive bars now anyway. I have really short arms and legs so needed everything low and narrow to even try any flatland stuff.

I bought an ACS Boa which had been modified with cartridge bearings and a 10mm mount – some company in the UK modified the stock ones.

That company was just Rob Ridge. Still ripping it now and one of the best in World at what he does.

That company was just Rob Ridge. Still ripping it now and one of the best in World at what he does.

I had forgotten that, thanks! I do still watch his videos.

Yep and when broken/damaged bodies means time off work, longer healing time etc,.

It's a supported fracture so no cast and still at work. 6 weeks till i can ride or swim.

That company was just Rob Ridge. Still ripping it now and one of the best in World at what he does

I sold him some titanium pegs I made some years ago. Commented on both our ages when I linked the name to my reaction boa.

I wouldn’t want massive bars now anyway. I have really short arms and legs so needed everything low and narrow to even try any flatland stuff.

I used to rock Castillo Bar (really cutdown) and a S&M Redneck, now rocking a lovely profile toploader and 9 inch bars with nothing off the width and it feels great, my lower back has never been happier!

I've been going down the local pump track with my boys recently.

Yesterday a guy turned up on a tricked out bmx (in his 40's same as me). He let me have a go. I loved it! so fast. Didn't have any brakes on though.

Got me thinking i'd love to pick up a second hand bmx.

What should i be looking at? whats the deal with sizing? do they pretty much fit anyone? think the one i rode was 20.5 inch?

Any good makes i should be looking at?

Saw a Fly neutron on ebay which didn't look too bad

also a mongoose legion L60

I'm not up to date on current bikes and models but Fly make nice bikes. As do Fit, BSD, Sunday, We the People etc.

The vast majority of frames have 20.5" top tubes but some modern bikes have longer reach and taller head tubes. I think people have finally realised that these things are actually ridden by young adults and grown men and not just the 8 year olds that they were originally designed for.

So yes, they're all tiny, twitchy, danger machines but if you want to ride one you get used to it.

Also, I've got a new favourite frame...
bsdforever.com/products/sureshot-frame

How about Mafia kush ?

Ive been riding BMX since the 80's, im now 45 and still reguarly ride Southsea skatepark (my local park since 1992)

It does take longer to heal now compared to 30+ years ago but the enjoyment is still there

Have friends who are in their 50's who still ride (ex pro's) who have no plans to stop riding and bmx is their life

Here's a couple of pics of me riding over the years, been an S&M guy since 1993, with a soft spot for Standard's

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gng8hoC9L8RpqbxH8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5to52FbwCyH7MCyz7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rjg6cvvA2VYSmG4y8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UhXfUiCbAXjd7yXu7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DTQPs7KeAra7bDdQ6

Spotted this on YouTube

Brutal but good progression

Rather than back go BMX in your 40's, how about getting into BMX in your 40's ?

Any recommendations? Been looking around at some 2nd hand one's. What are some good makes? Mongoose, GT, Mafia, Wethe people?

As above. TT lengths. i;m 5'9" and by all accounts should be 20.5 to 21"? Can you not adjust with a longer stem?

found this pretty decent GT that came up on fb marketplace

or this mongoose legion

it's a 20" TT though

Mafia

No!
Out of the GT or mongoose the GT probably

interesting. I have heard other ppl say no to Mafia

Someone mentioned GT are more race orientated. How do i tell this?

Mafia make BSO level BMX's or at least they did last time I worked in a shop and had to fix the bloody things.

Someone mentioned GT are more race orientated. How do i tell this?

Some might be but they'll be easy to spot because they'll look like race bikes. Avoid anything with a massive chainring and a V-brake. Everything else will be a normal do anything BMX.

Mafia make BSO level BMX’s or at least they did last time I worked in a shop and had to fix the bloody things.

GT and mongoose are not dissimilar now that they are more corporate brands, but I think the main Thing with Mafia is they are direct to consumer only and screw the small bmx shops which as I am sure you are aware are few and far between now. It the old because there is not the money on bmx compared to mtb people are protective. (I know you probably know this but just for others who may be reading).

Someone mentioned GT are more race orientated. How do i tell this?

They have a good freestyle team again now, as above a race bike looks very different, loooong back end, canti, big chainring, aluminium or carbon usually.

Here’s a couple of pics of me riding over the years, been an S&M guy since 1993, with a soft spot for Standard’s

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rjg6cvvA2VYSmG4y8

FBR!

Is that the Charlton ramp?

Saw this and thought of you lot, this could be you soon 😉
Probably not, but inspiring all the same 🙂

So I've kind of made a commitment to myself to actually try to ride more often.
I went to Asylum last night after work, first time since breaking my arm in the summer.

I'm basically back at beginner, the bike felt twitchy and wobbly and turning on the vert walls got a bit sketchy at times. Strangely I had to lower the bars (swapped spacers from under the stem). My goal is nothing more that to ride the BMX once a week and get a bit more confident on the bike again.
I can't get used to the brakes being rubbish years ago I would be breakless, but not really at a level where that's safe at the min.
I was great though 1 1/2 hrs and knackered this morning 👍