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Have been asked by mother-in-law to source BMX for grandson (my nephew) who is 14 for xmas. I know nothing about BMXs.
Any suggestions for suitable options (£250-£300) - 14 year old approx. 5 ft 10 if that matters.
Sorry but I am totally clueless.
Many thanks in advance.
Check out the Source's Find Your BMX Bike. Run through the various questions and the site will suggest a suitable bike.
The Jet bikes are the Source's own brand, hence the cheaper prices. If you can, push up your budget to include a MID bottom bracket and sealed hubs front and rear.
Not an expert but I'd suggest a longish tt (20"+) is probably a good starting point. Avoid anything with faffy gyros on (if there even are any out there any more).
Maybe find out what kind of riding he wants to do (at that point probably race / everything else).
Cromo frame / fork is a big plus, but likely to be a lot more expensive.
You need to find out if he wants a race bike or a freestyler.
I think this is as good as you'll find new for <£300 - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/blank-ammo-bmx-bike-1
There'll be plenty of decent 2nd hand ones around for that money though if that's an option.
If he already rides, consider a decent frame he can build up with his own parts?
You could do worse than give these guys a bell: https://wallerbmx.co.uk/
EDIT: Not sure about that Blank Ammo, it's not really a respected brand and a hi-ten frame for £300 possibly isn't great, though I'm not sure how much more expensive things have got since I last looked at BMXes properly. Definitely agree on second-hand though.
anyone who already rides would be pretty gutted with a ‘Blank Ammo’.
Add Mafia and Collective Bikes to that list.
^ you've quoted my stealth edit which I tried to make a bit more diplomatic 😀
Yes, but you aren't going to get a chromo framed complete bike for £300.
If they've not already got a bmx, that blank is about as good as it gets for the price. I did a quick search and I couldn't find a better branded complete under £300. There might be a few heavily discounted ones, but they'll still be hi-ten.
Hence the suggestion to look at frames they can upgrade, if they already have something to ride for now, or 2nd hand.
Brands I wouldn't put my kids on (Disclaimer I'm a bit of BMX snob and I'm not looking for an argument)
Mongoose
Stolen
Mafia
Collective
Jet
SE
Brands I would definitely choose:
FIT
We The People
United
Sunday
Yeah I doubt you'd get a chromo framed bike for 300 quid new, unless you get really lucky.
That Blank is probably fine to get going, but if he's already into it probably Christmas ruining.
At his height he should be on a 20.75 or a 21 inch TT frame. Shame the Jet bike is 20.25 which will be too short for him.
For this budget it looks like hi ten steel and loose ball hubs are everywhere, although if I remember back to my first BMX, it was the same, part of the fun of BMX was upgrading the bike overtime to better parts.
If you could stretch £30 more, Id point at this: https://tallorderbmx.com/collections/complete-bikes/products/tall-order-ramp-large-bike-gloss-black-20-9
Or OP where are you? There are still BMX shops around and popping into a local store might find something that suits within budget.
BMXs, even expensive BMXs, are incredible value for money, especially when compared to MTBs. For another hundred quid you enter a price point where you'll get a much better bike for your money.
If you're in the North West you can't get better than Alans BMX. This United is a very good bike for the money
This would be his first BMX. Freestyle rather than race I think. Sorry for the vagueness 🙂
In Birmingham BTW
i have a little used amplitude frequency for sale, 21" top tube
same as this https://www.plushhillcycles.co.uk/10259/products/2017-saracen-amplitude-frequency-bmx.aspx
near jct 4 M5
Found a pic
This would be his first BMX. Freestyle rather than race I think. Sorry for the vagueness
I got a cheapish one last XMAS for the kid.... same position as you... I knew sod all
Tri-Moly frame material, including a CrMo fork steerer and paid £100 in an auction from CRC/Wiggle.
(Just for reference not saying get this one https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ruption-friction-20-bmx-bike-2020/rp-prod185124 )
It's quite big for him (11) at 20.75" but he's used to very long MTB's so seems to work well and he finds it short and easy to flick about but I'm buggered if I can get the hang of it. I'm fine on a small 26" DJ but BMX just feels weird!
It's worked well as a skatepark and school bike anyway and ... well it was £100. If he wants something better later then I guess we'll have more idea.. if not it's served a purpose or two.
I don't know if it was because I got the eBay one but the wheels needed rebuilding... first time he rode it properly at a pump track he managed to bend the rear wheel but the wheel bent far more than expected... I rebuilt both and they have been fine since...
From experience, double walled wheels are a must. In Birmingham, we're a bit limited with BMX stores since DAI lost they're good staff and priorities changed to guns and drones. Haro do some good entry level bmx, but as said for another 100pound the standards double in quality
From experience, double walled wheels are a must. In Birmingham, we're a bit limited with BMX stores since DAI lost they're good staff and priorities changed to guns and drones. Haro do some good entry level bmx, as do Sunday and Subrosa. But as said, for another 100pound the standards double in quality
https://www.hargreaves-cycles.co.uk/m17b0s9p7512/WTP-WTP-REASON-2013
No idea if they actually do have it in stock