BMX - Help with BMX bike purchase

I am looking to get my 9 yr old a BMX bike for racing. I am looking to spend no more than $400. I want to get a good light frame and can always upgrade components later as the stock ones break down. I have been sidetracked to the Specialized Hemi Pro or Comp versions. I can obviously get a better deal on last years versions but am not sure about performance difference and do not trust retailers since they have other motives like stock liquidation! Thanks for any assistance!

Hmmm...its always hard helping somone pick out a new bike, because you have no idea of what they are looking for in a bike. Have you gotten any input from your son? It is his bike and hes gonna be ridning it, so make sure he is going to like it. Has he ever had a racing bike or raced before? That will probably help you figure out what hes gonna want if hes had some experience with it. If not, Then the best thing to probably do is let him pick out a bike, like you said...you can buy new components later, so if he ends up not liking it, you can basically replace everything but the frame, or just the parts that he doesnt like. I guess what I'm getting at is just show him a few bikes that you think might suit him, and let him pick it out for himself. Explain the parts and just let him decide. Sorry if I wasnt any help.

Buying a new BMX bike is a major purchase. Many things have to be considered before you go out and buy a bike. What type of riding does your son plan on doing? There are different styles of riding: Street, Trails, Flatlanding, and Racing. Before you lay out the $400.00, you need to know his riding habits. I see it in my shop every week. A kid throw a set of pegs on a aluminum race frame.

The size of the kid is another consideration, especially when it comes to buying a racing bike. If you need any help, feel free to call me @ (504) 846-5050. I have a custom 20" shop and wil be glad to answer any questions you may have.

www.holeshotbmx.com

www.singlespeedrevolution.com

He is 65 lbs. and 4' tall with a slim small framed body. He has never raced, but has hit the local(Florida man made) mountain bike track which is basically a 3 - 10 mile BMX race track with trees and rocks on it. He plans to race BMX with this bike but is not really old enough on around racing enough previously to have any idea as to what bike he wants or needs. It is basically which one looks cool to him! ;) I raced when I was a kid and had a Turbo Spider and a Magnum, but that was 20 yrs. ago! I am seriously considering a used Specialized '01 Hemi Pro http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1975820473
Thanks for any help!

Looks like a very nice bike. If you think he is big enough to be able to ride it well, then i would go for it. It looks in excellent shape and it has a few real nice components on it.

We ended up getting him a Redline Proline Jr. due to advice of the guy who runs the local track(but also owns the shop we bought from???) It seems to be a well built bike?

am curious. i am also looking for a bmx style bike for my 8 year old.
the proline junior, by Redline is an aluminum frame with a 3-piece crank while the Haro line is a cro-mo with a one piece crank.


the hubs are the same, but the Haro has models with both front and rear brakesinstead of just rears.

how did you decide on the redline?

Reccomendation of the operator of our local track. All I can tell you is the bike is light. My son rode thru sugar sand with it on day 1 and it is in the shop getting the sand out of the freewheel.:mad:
PS Front brakes on BMX are only necessary for trix I think

Usually dirt bikes only need a back brake for goin round sharp corners etc people may choose to have a front brake but that means the bike will be that bit heavier.