Anyone here ride a BMX?

Super Domestique wrote:

That's more like it.

I have always liked Mongoose (from early 80's) and have seen them pretty cheap which might be a good starting point (the model was the Subject) but its 20" not a cruiser.

Still not sure I will get by on this one with my kids, although I am still the right side of 40 so that is ok.

Not sure I am skate park capable but ragging to the shops for a pint of milk or to post a letter could be fun lol.

I had a Mongoose and it was tough but a bit small for me and heavy too. The higher end of the range is pretty good.

If you're not even 40 I strongly suggest you try racing. Take your kids as well. I train with one of my kids and there are loads of parent/child groups competing.

There is a retro BMX scene and Raleigh Burners with all the right bits go for large sums of money. Having ridden one, I'd say they're for show only as they're horrible on the track and no better on the road or at the skatepark.

You can get a base model GT or Diamondback for not too much, Redline offers good value stuff at the lower end too, all the way up to top quality. Look on BMXtalk.com as there are always loads of bikes coming up for sale and they won't be your average Halfruds heavyweight frame either. Winstanleys has a good website and offers a lot of choice. Skatepark bikes are ok if that's what you want, but for an older (adult) rider they will tend to be on the small side. Don't bother getting a gyro - it'll cost you more, reduce braking efficiency and 99.9% of BMX riders never acquired the skills that make them worthwhile.

You can ride a racing BMX at the skatepark and it'll be better on the road anyway as the gearing is slightly higher - 43:16 is a good ratio to have tho 42:16 or 44:16 are popular as well for 20" racers. A trick bike will have a 9 tooth sprocket at the back - can't remember what they have at the front. A 24" cruiser will be better still on the road.

Gkam84 wrote:

Unless you're making a living from it, a la Dave Mirra (38) or Mat Hoffman (40) then you HAVE to stop riding BMX in your early teens

The only exception would be if your racing of dirt tracks and stuff.....keep them off the roads though

bollox

Seiously, I compete in the South Region and we have a lot of grey haired riders - one (who I won't name but she'd know who she is) is 54 and is still competitive. There may be older riders competing in the UK but she's the oldest I know to talk to and trust me, she'd leave you in her dust. There is one guy I know of who still rides who is over 60, but I think he's coaching only now and not competing any more.

Thanks Tony, and yes I still ride a BMX and I'm well past that 40 so-called age limit, as are rather a lot of us racing here in the South Region and against whom I was competing at Mitcham yesterday in a Regional.

I ride a 20" and a 24" cruiser. Most adults tend to favour a cruiser, because it's close in size to a mountain bike. I started with a 20" and had one first but I prefer racing the cruiser. That said, in many ways I prefer the 20" as a fun bike. I ride both on the road, and why not? They are race bikes with back brake only but that's still more braking capacity than your average simpleton riding a no-brake fixie on the road. BMXs are simple and extremely tough so I can well understand why someone would consider them for courier use - much more durable than a flimsy fixie with its skinny wheels for London's potholed roads.

Racing BMXs are different from trick bikes as they have longer frames and different gearing - it suits them better to road use if you ask me.

A properly sized 20" won't have you banging your knees off the bars even if you're 6' 2" - look for an adult sizex XL or XXL race frame and a decent set of slam bars.

I also go to the local skatepark regularly with my son and I'm not the only grey haired guy there riding either, tho there tend to be more older skateboarders than there are BMXers. I take my race bike which is ok. As it's longer than a trick bike, it's turning circle isn't quite as sharp (and it doesn't have stunt pegs of course) but it's still pretty good and I do like getting it airborne and know it's strong enough to cope. I have taken my cruiser to the skatepark as well, but I prefer the 20".

A decent 20" or cruiser won't cost the earth. You can get something credible secondhand for £200 that'll be ready to race. Of course, you can spend a lot more if you wish and I know getting something similar to my 20" for instance would cost rather a lot more if you were to start from scratch.

If you are going to race, you'll need a full face MX lid and wear long sleeves and trousers - pads are optional but once you've come off a couple of times you'll realise they're worth using. I wear my knee and elbow pads at the skatepark too and have seen enough teenagers make hard landings and limp home dripping blood to know I'm in the right and they're replacing common sense with bravado.

So on balance, if you want a BMX then get (a properly sized) one and ride it on the road. And I'd say over 65 is maybe too old to ride one.