New BMX Bike/racing advice...

[Jason B]

I just got home from the local bike shop and got completely excited about buying a BMX bike... kind of strange since I'm 31 years old with a full time job, etc. etc. I'm actually a roadie... which means I know nothing about how adults fit in with BMX bikes. Of course I got started on one 25 years ago, but went to road later on. Can anyone explain how the sizes work? What size/type is good for a 5' 11' 150lb guy like myself? I was also looking on the ABA website, and trying to decide if it would be fun to try bmx racing... if so, what's up with the Cruiser catagory? Is that for older dudes on bigger bikes? It looked like there were more specific catagories for adults in "standard" sizes, but it doesn't really make sense when I'm looking at bikes online as they all look pretty small... Would a Cat 4 roadie get eaten alive showing up at a BMX track, or is it worth checking out... Any information would be appreciated... also, any recommendations in the $300-$350 range? Thanks... Jason

[hypersnazz]

Hope your job has health benefits. ;) Unlike road or mountain bikes, the sizes typically refer to top tube length (the way it SHOULD be) and you should probably be looking at Pro XL and XXL and nothing smaller if you want to race 20". If you're already comfortable on a road bike I'd recommend a cruiser, which is a BMX bike with 24" wheels. The geometry is going to be a little more comfortable, especially since you're over like 5'6". It's not necessarily for *older* guys so much as it's designed for taller guys, and just like the 20" class there will be divisions according to age and ability level.

How competitve you'll be depends on what type of roadie you are. You could be a solid cat 4 with no sprinting or bike handling skills and yeah, you're gonna ge mowed down. If crits are more your thing, you attack in corners, spend a lot of time up out of the saddle and are a strong tactical sprinter, you're headed in the right direction. Next question is...how do you handle being in the air? There are a LOT of skills and tactics crucial to BMX that just don't exist in road racing. Manualing, doubling, knowing when to leave the ground and when and how to stay glued to it...advanced bike handling concepts most roadies just don't have unless they've *been* BMXers (ever wonder why a lot of the best, most tactical sprinters and green jersey contenders are ex-BMX pros? Robbie McEwan, former Australian BMX champ, to name one).

As for bikes, there are a couple in and around that price range if you're willing to shop around. The sweet spot for cruisers is going to be right around $400, that's where you're going to find the best value per dollar in a completely race-ready bike. Counterintuitively, the sweet spot for 20" race bikes seems to be somewhat higher, in the $500-600 range. Haro would be a good place to start looking, I know FMF has a complete cruiser out there that's pretty affordable...Expatriate might have some more to say about 'em since he rides cruisers.

[Darin]

ABA members are covered medically during any ABA race. I have no health coverage, and I'm thankfull that at least I'm covered at a race. I have a Haro cruiser. I paid less than $300 for it. I'm 39. The bike is fine. If I'm not winning, it's not because my bike. The class I race in, and probably you too, is not as competitive at a local track that spending several hundred more dollars is going to make a difference. You don't want a breaking peice of jusnk though. But get what you can afford and race. Have fun. Then if you find that you and the guy in front of you are finishing within a few feet of each other, then maybe spending hundres of dollars and saving a few grams will make the difference. Or skip a few meals and drop a few lbs. Some guys here get very "techy". I'm sure that alot of higher end parts are very nice, but also sure that they are not going to make a lot of difference in winning if the race isn't that close already. My bike hasn't bent or broke. Just the back wheel I had to straighen from coming short on a double. Post pics of your new ride when you get them.

Later.

[Brian]

If you've got the fitness, you've got a good base to start with. The key is being able to go flat out for 40-60 seconds. Technical skills take time to develop, but it's easier to learn them than it is to get fit. Where I race, we have a cruiser class, for 24" bikes, and a Masters class, for 30 years and older. A lot of the Masters racers have cruisers, some still race 20" bikes. If you race against experienced riders in the cruiser class, as opposed to Masters, you'll get spanked. I've found that the older guys are competitive, yet more laid back about it. We're all at each other's throats for 45 seconds, then best mates again when we cross the finish line. And none of the snobbery you might have experienced with road bikes.

About bikes, I prefer the cruiser. A 20" bike would be great if you want to play around with jumping and tricks, but for racing, stick with a 24". I have the Haro cruiser too, a 2005 SX 24. Totally stock, they're pretty much ready for racing. The only thing you may want to swap is tires, depending on your track. I also bought the Felt Sector 24 for my wife. Another good bike, maybe not quite as nice as the Haro spec-wise, but it seemed to handle a bit better. If I hadn't bought pants/jersey/helmet/gloves to match the blue Haro, I would have sold it and kept the Felt. Either way, they're both good bikes. Most guys at the track have good things to say about the GT and Redline cruisers as well.

[Jason B]

Thanks for all the input... looked at the Haro's online (group 1 SR 24, I think.. and also the Diamondback 24... although looking around the website it looks like people don't like Diamondback very much). Curious how expatriate ended up in NSW... all my relatives live in Australia (the ones I keep in touch with regularly are in Toronto... close to Newcastle??? Haven't seen them since they moved there, but that's what they said). Had to take a family emergency trip to Perth in June... actually when I first got re-interested in BMX as we drove past this big sporting complex with about every court/field/track known to man... including an outstanding looking BMX track. Just looks like fun. I think I could get used to the technical stuff... jumped all the time as a kid and then jumped alot when I got my first mountain bike. Have set a goal of upgrading to Cat 3 next year, so I'm not sure why I'm so pulled toward this... just looks so fun. Also not sure how BMX fits in when I'm now married with a six month old, a mortgage, blah, blah... but by the looks of Darin out hitting that jump, it doesn't freaking matter... Anyway, thanks again... didn't know this site existed but have received some good info... Jason

[hypersnazz]

BMX will definitely improve your sprinting and overall bike handling, useful skills to have if you're planning on upgrading to cat 3. Good luck with that, I'm planning to start racing as a n00balicious cat 5 as soon as the season kicks back up again. :D

[Brian]

Jason, Toronto is about 20 minutes away from here. Nice place too. And being married with kids shouldn't keep you from BMX. I've got 4 kids myself. Unlike road racing, your wife can take your kid to go watch you race, and chat with other women. It's all good.

[racersk66]

hey jason im 16 and 5'11 and ride a 20 its fine for me but im young but my advice is go and ride a 20 and a 24 and which ever one you like better buy it