BMX - I like my Hoffman, but...

I was posting last year on what bike I should get, and I ended up getting a Hoffman Disrupter EL1 (probably a 2004 or 2005 model, I'm not sure). It was definitely an improvement over my old and small mountain bike.

But there are several things I don't like about it. For one, it is just so heavy (I'm an extremly thin person so that might make it feel even heavier). I weighed it and it was around 38-39 pounds. Another thing was that the brakes hardly did anything (endos were impossible without using a foot). I tried adjusting the brakes, but that didn't do much good. Plus the rim was painted black which didn't help the brakes grip any better. One other thing that bugged me was that pedaling from a stand-still was harder than on a normal bike (maybe since it was a trail bike instead of flatland?). I would like a bike that has quicker acceleration.

So I'm thinking I might sell/trade my bike and get a different one sometime in the near future. I want one that is lighter weight, has better brakes, and can pedal quicker.

I was looking around online and saw the 2007 Eastern Element, and it looked pretty good (weighed only 28 pounds!). But would that be a good one for a flatland (and maybe a bit of street) rider like me? Or are there other bikes that would work out better (like the DK six pack)?

Thanks for your help! :)

Everyone is going to recommend the DK 6-pack. You said you were really skinny? How tall are you? The Element has a 20.75" toptube and if your short you might like a 20". What is your budget? I'm just asking what everyone else asked me I guess. I am still new so someone correct me if i'm wrong.

38-39lbs is BS. 34 at most.

Quicker acceleration, lower your gearing then.

Just upgrade your bike with lighter parts, or ride it and stop complaining. You don't need to get a whole new bike because that is completely pointless. Ride what ya got or do upgrades that you really don't need to do because you didn't break the parts.

You just need to work out and the gearing won't be a problem. Just practice starting out on hills and pedaling as hard as you can, and do leg workouts or something, it'll get you more chicks too. You know you're getting stronger when you snap your chain...

The whole leg thing and getting girls doesn't apply to everyone. I have a severely damaged leg, and I have a girl. Word.

38-39lbs is BS. 34 at most.

Quicker acceleration, lower your gearing then.
Then a 20 pound weight isn't a 20 pount weight. I made sure the scale was working with a 20 pound weight. I weighed my bike on it and it was about 38 pounds. ;) I'm serious. It's heavy (Hoffmans are known for being heavy though).

Sorry for being a newbie (nobody in my area rides bmx so I am all alone when it comes to stuff like this), but how would I go about lowering my gearing?

And what about the brakes, they really suck. I hate the black paint on the rims cause it like ruins the brake pads in no time and they hardly grip. If there were upgrade brakes (not just pads, but the entire brake system) then I might look into getting those if I decide I wanna keep my bike.


...Just practice starting out on hills and pedaling as hard as you can...
But there aren't any hills in my area. :(


Everyone is going to recommend the DK 6-pack. You said you were really skinny? How tall are you? The Element has a 20.75" toptube and if your short you might like a 20". What is your budget? I'm just asking what everyone else asked me I guess. I am still new so someone correct me if i'm wrong.
I'm average height. Like almost six foot (5' 11 3/4"). My budget would be around under $400.

Mod Note: You don't have to post three times when you can just quote them all in one post.

Hoffmans arent acctually known for being heavy, but yes I have a neighbor with that bike and it was close to 40lbs stock.

Just upgrade your bike with lighter parts, or ride it and stop complaining. You don't need to get a whole new bike because that is completely pointless. Ride what ya got or do upgrades that you really don't need to do because you didn't break the parts.
How much weight could I shave off if I replaced like every last part I could with the lightest there was? And which parts would I replace?

You should start riding a Hoffman Disrupter (well once you are healed). You will imediately want to go back to the other bike. ;) At least if you are a flatland rider.

If you replaced every part with the lightest parts there are (basically making it a race bike), it would probably be around 12-15 pounds. You would destroy it if you did anything other than race though. Also, I do not ride flat.

It would never get that light. The frame prevents that from happening. Probly 24 at the least, but most likly it would never get that light. 26 - 28 is probably as light as you could get it.

Hoffmans arent acctually known for being heavy, but yes I have a neighbor with that bike and it was close to 40lbs stock.
That's not heavy? I thought bmx bikes tended to be around 30 lbs.


If you replaced every part with the lightest parts there are (basically making it a race bike), it would probably be around 12-15 pounds. You would destroy it if you did anything other than race though. Also, I do not ride flat.
Well I don't want to go that far. :D

Maybe so the weight is around 30 lbs, and can still be used flatland.

Man that Eastern Element bike is looking better and better . :)

Oh and whoever combined my posts into one, thanks! I wasn't sure how to do that (till I thought about it just now and figured it out).

No, that IS heavy, but hoffmans arent known for all ebing 40lbs. Their bama frame is really light.

Well just do it on flat ground then. Brakes don't matter, a lot of people take them off anyway. Try it, you'll probably like it, especially if you don't have many hills.

It would never get that light. The frame prevents that from happening. Probly 24 at the least, but most likly it would never get that light. 26 - 28 is probably as light as you could get it.
I meant if the frame was replaced too. And there are carbon fiber parts and such that would drastically decrease the weight of the bike (and integrity) to the point where you can get bikes around that weight.

That's not heavy? I thought bmx bikes tended to be around 30 lbs.


Well I don't want to go that far. :D

Maybe so the weight is around 30 lbs, and can still be used flatland.

Man that Eastern Element bike is looking better and better . :)

Oh and whoever combined my posts into one, thanks! I wasn't sure how to do that (till I thought about it just now and figured it out).
An average stock BMX bike weighs about 30 lbs. Also, the Eastern Element is not a bike that would be at the top of my list if I was you. Eastern is a pretty shady company that has had many mishaps with their bikes. The current problem is that the hubs are blowing up on those bikes, so that would be a bike to avoid. Go with a DK 6 Pack or a Stolen Wrap and you will be just dandy.

You are welcome. :)

Oh so just the Disrupter is heavy, or something like that. :)

And I have been kinda hesitant to put upgrades on my Hoffman. I'm afraid that after the upgrades I'll realize that this still isn't what I want, and I'll be forever wishing I had got lighter bike in the first place (would probably cost the same amount as making my Hoffman light with upgrades lol). If I can find a bike I think would work with my weight/size/style then I'd definitely start putting money into it.

Due to having a really high metabolism (or whatever the condition is) I can't really work out and gain a whole lot of weight/strength. I could practically eat steaks all day and work out and not put on more than 10-20 pounds. :( (Although I guess there are a few advantages of being like I am; I could eat ice cream and all sorts of fatty foods all day and stay trim.)

Even with carbon parts it still wouldn't get that light, and if he switched the frame too then it wouldn't just be upgrading the bike, it would be getting a new one.

Well just do it on flat ground then. Brakes don't matter, a lot of people take them off anyway. Try it, you'll probably like it, especially if you don't have many hills.
But there are certain tricks that you have to have brakes for, and I would be missing out. :cry: Or would I just have to learn different ones?


An average stock BMX bike weighs about 30 lbs. Also, the Eastern Element is not a bike that would be at the top of my list if I was you. Eastern is a pretty shady company that has had many mishaps with their bikes. The current problem is that the hubs are blowing up on those bikes, so that would be a bike to avoid. Go with a DK 6 Pack or a Stolen Wrap and you will be just dandy.
Ok so not the Element (man I though that one would be pretty cool; only 28 lbs they say). The DK 6 Pack weighs about 32 pounds, right (or was it 34... I can't remember, but either way, it would be considerably lighter than my Hoffman)? I'll also look into the Stolen Wrap. And how are the stock brakes on the six pack or the wrap? Like do they grip better than on the Hoffman?

If I do decide on getting a new bike, I'll definitely want to go to a local bike shop to see if they have ones like the DK six pack/Stolen Wrap so I can get a feel of what they are like.

Thanks guys for all of your help!

Fuzzy: A frame is not a bike, it is part of an object that as a whole, is called a bike.

Thermo: Yes, there are some tricks that brakes make easier to accomplish, but there are ways around that. For example, you can still do fufanus, you just have to use pedal pressure. I still don't say you need a new bike, but if that's what you want to do, go for it. You'll enjoy either bike.

Yes, but when someone asks you what kid of bike you are riding, you wouldn't say odyssey, or g-sport cause you have some parts made by them, you'd say the name of the frame you are riding. So there for if you switch your frame it's a different bike. If I got an FBM frame, I wouldn't still be riding a Fit. Either way if he switched all his parts including the frame, it would most definetly be a different bike

If you like the brake tricks (other than flatland, you have fufanus, abubacas and lawnmower fufanus, not sure what else), then you could run them, but you need well setup brakes anyway. Brakeless lets you do tailwhips and barspins all day without worrying about brake levers and gyros.

Fuzzy: Good point, but you know what I'm getting at as well.

Fuzzy: A frame is not a bike, it is part of an object that as a whole, is called a bike.

Thermo: Yes, there are some tricks that brakes make easier to accomplish, but there are ways around that. For example, you can still do fufanus, you just have to use pedal pressure. I still don't say you need a new bike, but if that's what you want to do, go for it. You'll enjoy either bike.
For now (since I don't have the required cash) I'll stick to my Hoffman. But if I can come up with some money I'll look into getting a new bike and then throwing all kinds of upgrades into it.

And here is the list of tricks that I have been able to do somewhat successfully with my Hoffman (please don't laugh, I've only been riding BMX for about half a year :o ):
-footjam endo (my brakes don't work well enough to ones without my foot)
-track stand
-180 (sorta)
-bunny hop (maybe 6-8 inches, lol)
-tailwhip (I hardly ever get these right; sometimes I'll go an entire day without doing one successfully, but I have some on video of me actually doing it right)
-cyclone (I kinda cheat on this one though cause I use the brake a little near the end)
-bar hop (still haven't been able to ride out of this one yet though)
-riding backwards (this one I can do consistently)

And I think that is mostly it :( Not so great, but I hope to improve. :)

Fuzzy: Good point, but you know what I'm getting at as well.
Acctually no, I don't. He said how could he upgrade it to make it lighter, not get a new bike.

tailwhip
I'm guessing you mean on flat ground.

Fuzzy: Grr you.

Hahaha

I just put together my Hoffman Disrupter IL1 and the shipping weight said 41 lbs. Actual bike feels like about 35 lbs. My first time setting up u-brakes and it was fairly easy. They don't work all that great, even with the chrome rear rim. Won't be doing trials stuff unless pine tar helps significantly. You can try scuffing your black rims' brake surface too. My front brake won't get the rear wheel off the ground unless I shift my weight up there.

Try simple green on the rims.

The hell? You can pull footjam whips before you can hop higher than 8 inches? I hate you. I've been trying those for a year and I still can't even surf them or get one leg on each side after I whip it around.

I'm guessing you mean on flat ground...
Yes, on flat ground. There aren't any parks in my area, least not that I've seen. Even if there were, I would be to chicken to ride there cause I'm afraid I'd kill myself (or at least seriously hurt myself). :o

And I'll try cleaning the rims and brake pads to see if that helps.

And this is off topic kinda, but how do you keep from getting your seat torn up when you have to let go of your bike and bail? Even just riding flat I still managed to tear up my seat. I eventually got a plastic bag and stuck it over the seat, then wrapped duct tape all around it (the plastic keeps the tape from ruining the seat worse than it is). Now my bike is so awesome. It is all black, which a silver/gray seat. I'm the envy of town. :D

Maybe the key to them is a 40 pound bike.

EDIT: Seats will get ripped up, especially from flatlanding, and there's not too much you can do to avoid that. Just try not to throw your bike so much and to either restaple it, or recover it.

I've never tried to learn them. I think I will.

I eventually got a plastic bag and stuck it over the seat, then wrapped duct tape all around it (the plastic keeps the tape from ruining the seat worse than it is)

Thats ghetto. haha.

The hell? You can pull footjam whips before you can hop higher than 8 inches? I hate you. I've been trying those for a year and I still can't even surf them or get one leg on each side after I whip it around.
I don't know if it is cheating or not, but I use the front brake when doing a tailwhip (footjam too of course). I have gotten so used to trying tailwhips with the brake that one time I decided to try it without, and I fell off and it didn't feel so good. :)


Maybe the key to them is a 40 pound bike.
I always thought that it would be easier with a ligher bike. But I don't know. If I end up getting a lighter bike I'll find out.


Thats ghetto. haha.
Yes it so is. And it's so cool that I don't want to show it to anybody. :D

I need to see pics of this.

I tried learning flatland tailwhips but I caught a bar to the balls and never did them again, I'm not even going to try with my slams.

Also, I don't get what Gunz is trying to say about changing the parts and frame, by his logic I'm still riding my General Lee.

well most of the people here are gonna tell you to go with the DK 6-pack or to just modify your bike until it meets what u want..but im prob gonna go wit the eastern element because i talked to a few other people who are looking to go pro and one rides the element and the both recommended but they just said to change the cassette out when you get because its unsealed

I call BS on the last part of that post.

The hell? You can pull footjam whips before you can hop higher than 8 inches? I hate you. I've been trying those for a year and I still can't even surf them or get one leg on each side after I whip it around. I hate him too. Footjamwhips are hard.

Also, I don't get what Gunz is trying to say about changing the parts and frame, by his logic I'm still riding my General Lee.
No one understands my logic. Usually, my logic only makes sense to me.


I call BS on the last part of that post.
As do I. The chances of two people coming pro like that (and riding those bikes) are extremely slim. They may be really good, but I doubt they are both going pro.

He didn't say they were going pro, he said they are looking to go pro. As is everyone else that is here. :P

I'm not looking to go pro, and neither are pretty much anyone here. We just ride because it's fun.

So your saying if you were offered to go pro and all you had to do for your job was ride all day, you wouldn't do it? I call BS :P

But I'm not looking to go pro because I don't care about that. And also, I probably wouldn't do that anyway.

You wouldn't? Why not?

I have other things I want to do with my life, and it's not like you are going to make that much money from riding, unless you are really good and win a lot of competitions. I'd rather have a nice and steady job to live off of and support my family with.

I see

But I'm not looking to go pro because I don't care about that. And also, I probably wouldn't do that anyway.

You wouldn't? Why not?

too much pressure! he can't go pro AND be the BMX mod! :)

too much pressure! he can't go pro AND be the BMX mod! :)
word.

EDIT: New Dharma, you should stick around here more.

word.

EDIT: New Dharma, you should stick around here more.

i try...with work I have to post when my boss-man isn't looking
at home I compete with my Girlfriend for computer time...her being an artist involves a LOT of internet searching for places to do shows...