Bmx bike

crotchvent

Active member
Looking for some info into starting to Bmx. I've been watching some edits and it just looks so sick. So what I'm asking for is some recommendations for a good starter setup. Should I buy a complete or would I be much better off building one? Also how does sizing work?
 
Starting off, I don't BMX. I do work at a LBS and mountain bike a lot though.

Just as with any other bike, I would recommend buying complete for your first bike. Don't fuck around with buying parts, it probably isn't going to be cheaper unless you have the hook up with someone or a company.

Your next issue is whether you want to buy used or new. BMX is one of the cheaper ends of the spectrum of the bike world and I would guess you could get a decent new BMX for ~$400-500. Used is going to be cheaper, but people do beat the shit out of BMX bikes.

just my $0.02
 
buy a real bike.

but seriously, if you're just starting you're not going to know enough about what parts you want and what style fits you. I would get a complete and then start riding the hell out of it. After you get some bike time under your belt your going to know what you like and what you don't like. This is going to help you decide what sort of parts you're going to want to buy later after you smash them all to bits.
 
If your just starting and/or aren't advanced get a complete, youd most likely be spending 1k+ for all new custom parts. take a look here:http://www.danscomp.com/serve-BIKES/html/BMX+Bikes.html

Highly recommend Sunday, Fit, Kink, Subrosa, total bmx out of the bikes on their site. I recommend staying away from the other brands on there. Also you can start out on a complete and gradually get new parts if your looking to upgrade or replace something thats broken
 
As mentioned above get a complete. See if your friends are selling anything, check CL.

Subscribe to dans comp(do they still send out mags?) They have an awesome selection of bikes, movies, parts, everything you want. Franklin bicycle is good too. I'm sure they're all online now as well.

If you're in the northeast and want a free bike, think it might be missing a few parts like the wheel etc, you can have it. Free agent flying fortress. Good frame, decent enough bike from 15 years ago. HAsn't been ridden in a long time, I know the frames good, trying to think what's misseing, think there are bars and forks on it but not 100% sure.

It's in NY at my parents. I might be going back for a week or two in a couple months though.

I can't really help much with brands as I've been out of the game for a while and everything has changed.

Also fuck brakeless because fufanus are the shit and nothing is funnier than kids who can't manual 2 feet but think they're awesome because they're riding brakeless. MAybe run into a few things because they don't know how to stop lol.
 
Go complete. It will be much easier and cheaper for your first bike. Don't go cheap though. Look for something with a full cromo(not hi ten) frame and double wall rims.
 
first off, don't buy a piece of shit make sure its an actual decent bike, go for something we the people or fit bike co, sunday bikes are heavy but the oddesedy brand parts on them are good. specialized bikes are expensive, but good. if your on a budget tho get a GT, they use decent parts
 
13378355:theabortionator said:
As mentioned above get a complete. See if your friends are selling anything, check CL.

Subscribe to dans comp(do they still send out mags?) They have an awesome selection of bikes, movies, parts, everything you want. Franklin bicycle is good too. I'm sure they're all online now as well.

If you're in the northeast and want a free bike, think it might be missing a few parts like the wheel etc, you can have it. Free agent flying fortress. Good frame, decent enough bike from 15 years ago. HAsn't been ridden in a long time, I know the frames good, trying to think what's misseing, think there are bars and forks on it but not 100% sure.

It's in NY at my parents. I might be going back for a week or two in a couple months though.

I can't really help much with brands as I've been out of the game for a while and everything has changed.

Also fuck brakeless because fufanus are the shit and nothing is funnier than kids who can't manual 2 feet but think they're awesome because they're riding brakeless. MAybe run into a few things because they don't know how to stop lol.

Thanks for the offer not in the northeast though and riding brainless just sounds idiotic.
 
13378424:crotchvent said:
Thanks for the offer not in the northeast though and riding brainless just sounds idiotic.

Lot of BMXers do. No idea why. Gimme that dual piston brakes haha
 
I would really say go with a cheap used DJ bike. Way more versatile, not that much more expensive, and once your find out that BMX is extremely hard you can still rip urban/DJ/trails with it. A BMX bike is like a 80mm underfoot, stiff, fully cambered park ski. A DJ is like a 100mm underfoot, rockered, playful all mountain/park ski IMO. Then again, this is coming from the guy who wrecked himself trying to be a rad BMX kid for way too long and then switched to DJ and then to DH and then to Enduro
 
13378478:cydwhit said:
I would really say go with a cheap used DJ bike. Way more versatile, not that much more expensive, and once your find out that BMX is extremely hard you can still rip urban/DJ/trails with it. A BMX bike is like a 80mm underfoot, stiff, fully cambered park ski. A DJ is like a 100mm underfoot, rockered, playful all mountain/park ski IMO. Then again, this is coming from the guy who wrecked himself trying to be a rad BMX kid for way too long and then switched to DJ and then to DH and then to Enduro

I dunno about that. I had a dj bike for a long time, then switched to a slope bike and am adding a bmx to the fleet soon. OP, are there trails at all in your area? If you are primarily riding dj, park, and street, bmx is much easier to learn on because of how playful they are. Yes, dj bikes are a little more forgiving but I really don't think it's worth it on flowy jumps or Park considering how much more expensive it is.
 
13378490:byubound said:
I dunno about that. I had a dj bike for a long time, then switched to a slope bike and am adding a bmx to the fleet soon. OP, are there trails at all in your area? If you are primarily riding dj, park, and street, bmx is much easier to learn on because of how playful they are. Yes, dj bikes are a little more forgiving but I really don't think it's worth it on flowy jumps or Park considering how much more expensive it is.

Yeah, I guess it all depends on your style and how much you want to spend. I was on a $300 P-bike that was awesome because I could crank the seat up and ride DH if I needed too while also having fun at the skate park. My area is really weak for true BMX though
 
I prefer a bmx trail bike honestly. Our trails were bigger than most of the stuff I see people riding on the bigger bikes so size of jumps really isnt a reason. That said if I got back into it I'd probably have to fun a bigger frame. I'm 6'3 with giant legs. Josh harrington status.

If you're going to be doing some downhill, thats one thing but I feel like for normal trails a bmx is the way to roll. A trail bike is fine in the park as well. If you're going to start dropping crazy shit you might need to beef things up. Seems like the parts on completes are much more quality these days. Seems like almost everything comes with 3 piece cranks which wasn't the case 15 years ago. Unless you buy soomething at walmart you can still have fun and even then, not that bad. Rode a huffy from kmart from 8 or 9 to 12 when I bought a dk 8pack(dk made good stuff then) Honestly had a great time on that piece of shit till it turned to dust. Only bike I ever owned with a double frame. If you never had one you just don't know. Riding down big hills standing on the frame when you're a kid is like flying. Eventually I bent the fork out from jumping it hard and broke some other shit but whatever.

I'd say keep your investment reasonable. I wouldn't spend a shit ton if you're just starting. Have you been riding friends bikes at all? That could help so you have some idea of what you want. Check CL in your area, maybe you can find something for a good price to get you started, and not be invested if you want to sell it and quit.

Real fun sport, I really do miss it. Spent all of the daylight for a few summers building and riding trails with friends.

Hope you get sucked into it. Have fun.
 
*Threadjack*

I wanna get in more to bmxing this year.

I have some experience, good(for not riding much) bhops, can do 180s etc. ride ramps kinda, you now, basic newb shit.

So, im in the search of a bike, but dont wanna put shittons of money and get the cream of the crop, wanna go like halfway right now.

Info: Mainly street, Im 189cm(6'2.5") 91kg(200lbs)

What would you recomend for me?

In EU, so from kunstform.org. Budget: Below 600EUR.
 
13651825:Meap said:
*Threadjack*

I wanna get in more to bmxing this year.

I have some experience, good(for not riding much) bhops, can do 180s etc. ride ramps kinda, you now, basic newb shit.

So, im in the search of a bike, but dont wanna put shittons of money and get the cream of the crop, wanna go like halfway right now.

Info: Mainly street, Im 189cm(6'2.5") 91kg(200lbs)

What would you recomend for me?

In EU, so from kunstform.org. Budget: Below 600EUR.

I'm kind of leaning to the Kink GAP XL, but I wanna get some input.
 
check pinkbike for complete setups and you'll probably be able to find one for a good price. It's also by far the easiest way to find bikes close to you, from people who probably give a shit about bikes.
 
Wish I could sell you mine haha. They are fun, but it destroys your body, more than skateboarding. If you are serious, I have a 2011 premium death trap with shadow conspiracy components, and left hand drive setup with hub guards. 21" frame.
 
OP, get a solidly built complete and then upgrade parts as you break them. BMX parts about 1/3 or 1/4 the cost of mountain bike parts, and this is something you will appreciate as you get older and continue to still ride BMX.

As much as I love my DJ 26" mountain bike, it's not that much fun riding street, especially since I like grinding. Whenever I want to go urban or park, I will always opt for my BMX bike.
 
I mountain bike, but have never touched BMX bikes. In most bikes, buying a complete with decent parts is usually alot more money effecient than buying parts one at a time, which can become super expensive. I would recommend go looking at bikes, find one in your price range, use it, and if theres a part that you dont like or a part that doesnt work as well (such as a seat for example) get a new part.
 
I'm lucky because I actually got one for free off my friend, but I would check out pinkbike and look into buying used. stoked to get out riding this year, I actually started with dh/enduro so it'll be interesting to see how well those transfer over! Might end up trading it for a DJ but we'll see
 
Back
Top