BMX - Specific request that I wasn't able to find other threads for..

Alright, I did a search like That Forum Guy says to do, in the sticky, and I wasn't able to really find any information on what I'm looking for, regarding a bike purchase. I'll be as specific as possible. I'm 5'6", I'm looking for a freestyle BMX bike, that's sturdy (more important than light) and good in city streets, specifically Washington DC. I'm very new to BMX riding, but not bike riding in general. I'm actually trying to become a bike courier, while getting in shape (only one gear, ROCK!) Doing tricks and what not isn't important, though it'd be fun to learn later on, but from the research I've already done, it sounded like freestyle BMX is the way to go for city riding. And finally, I'm on a pretty tight budget, really the highest I could go is 350 dollars. Also, almost everyone here seems to think building your own bike is the way to go, and while that may be true, I don't have the time or inclination to do that at the moment. Maybe in a couple more years. So any opinions and info would be great, especially if you've been riding for a few years. Also, if you are going to say one bran is crap, or one is good...please tell me WHY you think that, so I'm not looking through tons of personal opinions with no real basis to make a decision on. Thank you all ahead of time for your help, and keep rolling.

DK Six Pack... the answer to all of your problems.

your kidding? theres about 600 threads all telling anyone asking about any bike purshases to get the 6 pack

Fit Rider: Thanks a lot for the info! That's what I've been hearing, and one more person confirming it always helps.

Mude: I did a search for new bike, new bmx, new beginner, and several other combinations that I thought would bring up threads related to this. NONE of them came up. I looked through the first two pages of threads, and nothing. I'm not about to go through another 10 pages when I've done what I was supposed to, and guys like Fit Rider are more than willing to help. So I've decided what, now to steal some change from the till to afford it...heh. Later

You're welcome. I'm surprised my flaming ways did not come into effect... I guess you caught me in a good mood.

Backtrail x24 would be perfect for a 5' 6" bike courier,

But thats not for us bmxers to reccommend eh

Eightdip: Tell me if the lesbian thing works out ;) Sounds fun. Also, why shouldn't BMXers recommend the backtrail? Unless it's not a BMX....I never was good with brand names and stuff, I just knew what I liked.

ThatForumGuy: Thanks!! I'll check it out! More information is always better than less.

I'm kind of surprised I didn't get flamed more for what I'm sure can be a common and frustrating question. That's why I tried to be as specific as possible with my intentions, and relavent information. Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how the search and the learning goes!

The x24 has 24 inch wheels.

That's why I said what I did, I wouldn't call it a true bmx

Ah! I understand. Still, this would be more for biking around the cities, and it doesn't SEEM too expensive. Guess the only thing to do now is somehow find a way to test ride the 6 pack and the x24. Thanks all!

That's why I said what I did, I wouldn't call it a true bmx

Yeah, but it sounds to me like he doesn't really need a 20" bike for what he'll be doing. And cruisers are fun.

Yeah, but it sounds to me like he doesn't really need a 20" bike for what he'll be doing. And cruisers are fun.
Eh. Cruisers can't be more fun than the 20".

Eh. Cruisers can't be more fun than the 20".

You'll need to be older before you can be wiser.

You'll need to be older before you can be wiser.
Or physically able.

Contrary to popular belief, the number twenty is actually greater than the number twenty-four.

if you have any bike knowlege at all....build your own....frame up

It costs a lot more to build it from parts than to buy a complete, and not everyone needs/can afford a custom bike.

Exactly.

My bike cost me around $2000cad to build and it's nothing incredibly special, your better off buying a complete and switching parts as you advance.

change beermans name back

Contrary to popular belief, the number twenty is actually greater than the number twenty-four.
I agree.

change beermans name back
I agree.

He's not Beerman without being called Beerman

Well, I've been doing some research on both the Six Pack and the x24, and I still haven't come to a conclusion. I really think it will come down to test riding, and also which one can take more of a beating. I tend to beat my bikes up hard, not on purpose, just by the way I ride. Well, if only I could find a store in DC that sells BMX. Anyways, thanks again for everyone's help, and I'll let you know how things turn out!

PS: Hassan, you live in DC! Are there any stores around here that do BMX? I don't think either one in G-Town sells them, so if you could help me out, great!

Contrary to popular belief, the number twenty is actually greater than the number twenty-four.
It's true.


So i saw a guy at the skatepark yesterday with his son, it was awesome. The dad was on a 20" and the son on like a 16" Haro. I wish my dad rode.

If you want to be a courier, riding a BMX or a 24" bike won't be fun. You can't go very fast, they are super-heavy, and you can't really sit down on them, which is something you'll definitely want to do after the first few hours. Most couriers I know either ride road bikes or track bikes. Skinny tires let you go fast, you can actually sit on it and ride it all day long (those tour de france guys seem to do fine all month), and if you get a track bike it shouldn't weigh more than about 17 or 18 pounds built solidly.

BMX bikes are super fun, but they aren't the best tool for every job. I'd rather have two crappy bikes be a courier on and do tricks on than the world's best BMX bike to courier on.

If you want to be a courier, riding a BMX or a 24" bike won't be fun. You can't go very fast, they are super-heavy, and you can't really sit down on them, which is something you'll definitely want to do after the first few hours. Most couriers I know either ride road bikes or track bikes. Skinny tires let you go fast, you can actually sit on it and ride it all day long (those tour de france guys seem to do fine all month), and if you get a track bike it shouldn't weigh more than about 17 or 18 pounds built solidly.
blahblahblah
http://hypeiv.flatsoda.com/images/captain.jpg

blahblahblah
http://hypeiv.flatsoda.com/images/captain.jpg
That's just great.

Actually, back home in Boston I was a courier on a mountain bike, and everyone told me that was a bad idea. I like the idea of challenging myself, and I feel I'm good enough that I'll be able to handle it well. However, thank you for the advice, I'm not BSing you. It's something I'll keep in mind.

If you want to be a courier, riding a BMX or a 24" bike won't be fun. You can't go very fast, they are super-heavy, and you can't really sit down on them, which is something you'll definitely want to do after the first few hours. Most couriers I know either ride road bikes or track bikes. Skinny tires let you go fast, you can actually sit on it and ride it all day long (those tour de france guys seem to do fine all month), and if you get a track bike it shouldn't weigh more than about 17 or 18 pounds built solidly.

BMX bikes are super fun, but they aren't the best tool for every job. I'd rather have two crappy bikes be a courier on and do tricks on than the world's best BMX bike to courier on.

A 24 bike will be heavy? And you can't sit down? News to me. Of course, you can probably hop plenty of curbs and jump stuff on your 18lb fixie...

A 24 bike will be heavy? And you can't sit down? News to me. Of course, you can probably hop plenty of curbs and jump stuff on your 18lb fixie...
To get a BMX, cruiser, or MTB that will weigh as little as a track bike, you'll have to spend about 3x as much. And it still won't go as fast. I've yet to see a BMX bike that was set up with the saddle high enough to get full leg extension in a seated position. As far as tricks:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LniI3Xp8sQE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AzySTiBAIIA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vkxv2ZWi4ak

Probably not as cool as a bmx, but it can be done. You can have fun on any bike.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/other%20stuff/trap01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/other%20stuff/trap01.jpg
Hahahaha.

I swear the stuff that gets posted

I swear the stuff that gets posted
what about it?

what about it?
Who cares?

It's funny.

Who cares?

It's funny.
He didn't say anything about it...

He didn't say anything about it...
I was refering to the picture!

I was refering to the picture!
Oh, okay.

To get a BMX, cruiser, or MTB that will weigh as little as a track bike, you'll have to spend about 3x as much. And it still won't go as fast. I've yet to see a BMX bike that was set up with the saddle high enough to get full leg extension in a seated position. You can have fun on any bike.

On my x24 Haro I have the seat set up so I have close to a full leg extension. I am 2" shorter than the poster of this thread though. I hop curbs with the front wheel but that is about it. Maybe this spring I will learn a few simple tricks as this is my first BMX type bike. I ride it everywhere on the street and it makes a fair snow bike and I have ridden a few sandy and muddy trails. As a street bike it is pretty slow but it is a very sturdy and fun bike and great exercise. It would be a challenge to use it for a bike courier job.

Get a road bike it's not as wide as bmx, mtn, you can whip thru taffic with a quickness. and they go a lot faster then other bikes and you wont be as tired as you would on a bmx or mtn. the more you deliver the more you make$$$$$$$$.... enjoy the ride

[sarcasm] ooooo wow, i can go faster!! Just what we all want from a bike, why are we in the bmx section? [sarcasm/]