BMX - Newbie needs advice!

Ok, not sure if this is the correct forum for this question but here goes!

I'm a 33 year old Dad looking to get a new bike to ride with my son. He is only 5 but we recently purchased him his first real bike. He got a kids trek and it's great for his age and riding level. I hope to get the training wheels off soon though! I ride with him and I have an older (7 years) GIANT mt. bike. I think it does the job fine but I've been wanting something more "fun". Something I can ride with more freedom I guess.

I have been looking at a BMX 24" crusier models. I'm 6'3" and weight right around 176lbs so I figured a cruiser might be pretty cool. However, I don't know much about them etc.

Would something like that be a good choice for a newbie/dad that just wants to have a fun/cool bike to ride with my kid? We like to go off road and take a few jumps here and there as well. I don't really want to go back to another mt. bike though. They seem to have way too many features that I just don't need or use. Plus I could never get used to the way the ride feels...especially the way your body is while sitting/riding.

Can anyone give me some pointers? Are there any older recreational riders here?

yes there are older riders here. im not one of them

look at the 24" DK General Lee

unless they dont make it anymore...which im not sure of

unless they dont make it anymore...which im not sure of

well it really depends on what u think "a fun bike" would be

Idea:Go to a Store that sells bikes like fred meyers or walmart and jus try the bikes out if u find 1 with the bodystyle u like get it....and if not u can allways go to a local biking shop and they could help u alot better

My opinion: Get a mongoose, take the brakes and all of put a backpedal brake on it(much more freedom) and since ur tall and weigh not alot but more than a teen its a good bike cuz its a big frame and long but not too long (mongoose arent the best bikes at all ive broke a frame doin a 4 stair jump and i only weigh 130) but if u like the idea of a bmx go try 1 out

^ Worst. Advice. Ever.

Yeah not sure about getting a mongoose. Although I'm 33 I've had my fair share of bike experience. I raced quite a bit when I was a kid and I've had a couple of decent Mt. bikes (Cannondale, Giant). I would not buy something I could find at Wal Mart and I might have purchased a mongoose back when they made decent bikes but that's been quite a while.

I still have a good Mt. bike I just wanted something a bit more "fun". Something with one brake and one gear!

A 24" cruiser would probably be good. I got a used DK Fury cruiser last year and it's not a bad bike, but the frame does feel pretty big depending on what you're trying to do (but I'm only 5'11")

Well after looking at all 3 (yes all 3) local specialty bike shops here in town I'm striking out.

None of them carry any of the 24" plus BMX bikes. One dealer carries SE racing, Haro, and Redline but they don't carry any of the BMX cruisers. They say there is just no market for them in this area and they are even reluctant to order me one since I haven't actually tried one out.

I could just fix and update my GIANT mt. bike but I just wanted something a bit more fun/cool to goof around on the dirt with.

Here's another question.....are there any older guys riding straight up 20" BMX bikes just for fun? Or do they just look plain silly doing that? Especially if they are over 6' tall! ha ha ha!

The bike you're looking for is the Haro Backtrail 24. I don't know if the DK is still available in 24", but the Backtrail is. It's much more durable than the 24" race bikes. You could get a 20" bike, but you'd need a really long frame, and if you're just knocking around with your kid, you'd be better off on a cruiser.

Yeah...I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Haro Backtrail X24. Now I just have to see if my local dealer will special order it for me.

You won't be disappointed.

I think the DK still makes the 24's in DansComp. Just make sure its Chromo 4130 all the way.

24" DK General Lee
They do still make this bike, and its probly the best 24" BMX non-racing bike i have seen...

Go for it.