starting BMX racing again after 25 years!!! need some help!!

[dreamerproject]

I quit BMX racing at the age of 15 back in 1981....

I am thinking of getting back into it cause my daughter (whose 10)wants to get into it...and Im sure my son (when he is old enough) will want to also

Have some questions about bikes etc since I have been outta the loop for so long:

I see that brands that were huge when I was racing like Mongoose, GT, Diamond Back etc are now found in places like Walmart etc....while I think I know what I'd stay away from, are some of these bikes ok for "entry level' racing? ( I am looking at the Diamond Back Viper X and a GT bike I saw at Academy Sports)

What I am trying to avoid is spending $300 plus apiece on bikes for us if one or both of us decide we made a wrong choice....yet still try to be competitive and THEN if we find we are sticking with it....upgrade bikes....I have researched it enough to know what I want for an upgrade...

also...I last raced in the 15 Expert class...again it was 25 years ago....havent raced since....Will I have to start over in expert class with that long a layoff??? (ABA sanctioning)

THANKS!!!!!

[I_Suck_At_BMX]

I've thought about trying it, but I don't think I could keep up with all the kids who have been doing it since they were 5. Also, I really don't feel like investing money into a race bike if I can't keep up anyway. Plus I dont know where the nearest race track to me is.

[MadMan2k]

The bikes you'll get at walmart are not exactly conducive to staying in the sport, unless you really don't mind crappy bikes.
I'd suggest getting an entry level race bike from a bike shop for both of you, and then if you don't like it you could sell them to someone else who wants to try it out. In fact, why not look for a couple used ones at the track? They probably have a buy/sell board or something similar.

[dreamerproject]

The bikes you'll get at walmart are not exactly conducive to staying in the sport, unless you really don't mind crappy bikes.
I'd suggest getting an entry level race bike from a bike shop for both of you, and then if you don't like it you could sell them to someone else who wants to try it out. In fact, why not look for a couple used ones at the track? They probably have a buy/sell board or something similar.So something like that Diamond Back or a GT wouldnt work?

[ettsn]

Check out the FMF bikes available from the danscomp.com site. They are good, affordable BMX racers that will serve you well in the short term. Eventually, to be truly competitive you'll need to build a serious race bike, but that is a huge leap up in price (not too different from the old days, huh?). Remember to reinforce the fun aspect of racing first. A kid shouldn't expect to podium first time out, especially against other kids with more experience. Same for you. Enter whatever class they want you to enter in, gate like old times and crank like mad, go for the double and smile having fun even if you're dead last. :)

Also, check out the Redlines (my personal favorites) as they are still top shelf bikes, unlike most of the other brands from the heyday. SE bikes are making a comeback as well, as is Kuwahara. Basically, a good $300 bike isn't going to break the bank, should be relatively competitive, upgradable and if you decide racing just isn't in your blood anymore, they make fun bikes to tool around the neighborhood on.

-Paul

[MadMan2k]

Sorry, didn't read that part carefully enough, I thought you said you were still going to buy one of the ones at walmart. A diamondback or GT are probably fine, or the ones ettsn suggested.