BMX - Getting Back Into BMX Racing (Need Help Choosing a Bike)

After almost 20 years without racing Milwaukee is finally getting a new BMX track this year. I've been "retired" from the sport for 11 years and now that a track is in my back yard I'd like to start racing again. A lot has happened in 11 years and I haven't kept up with BMX and this is like starting over for me. I'd like to keep the bike under $400 and the closer it is to $300 the better. I am considering the following bikes:

-DK Charger, which retails at $399 but I think I can talk my LBS down to ~$350.
-Intense Pro XL, which is in the same price range as the Charger

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated so I can tear up those old timer's brackets.

-Johnny

Redline Proline Pro-$400
GT Powerseries Pro-$300...great bike, I just got one

Or a cruiser.

But how tall are you?

Redline Proline Pro-$400
GT Powerseries Pro-$300...great bike, I just got one

Or a cruiser.

But how tall are you?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out the bikes in a second.

I'm 5'10" and 195 lbs.

I've been riding a Giant STP 2 for the last couple of years so I guess the cruiser might feel more natural at this point. What are the advantages/disadvantages to racing in the cruiser class?

The advantage to racing the Cruiser class is you actually have people your age to race! Most older guys race 24" class. When I last raced as a 34yr old novice on my 20", it was against a 17x, 30x, and the national #1 20yr old girl.
At 36, I'm looking to go racing again and I'll probably go 24" I prefer riding 20", but I'd like to run against people closer to my age.
-Bill

wds is right. In cruiser classes you will probably race guys anywhere from 30 and up. Although you are smaller so you could get away with a pro sized 20". It's up to you.

Thanks for the responses. I think I am going to go to the track and check things out before buying a bike. Just to make sure there are enough riders in my class. I am getting giddy as a school girl just thinking about racing again!

Oh, I'm sure there are enough guys for a class Johnny. You may want to join up at vintagebmx.com as well. I know there's quite a few Milwuakee/Wisconsin guys posting there. Including some of those who are involved in getting the Milwuakee track going.
Definitely go hang out for a day to check it out. I'm sure you'll be back with a bike the next time.
-Bill

Racing doesn't start until June 5th so I'll have to wait until then to see what the classes look like. At this point it looks like I will probably end up racing crusiser. Here is a list of bikes that look to be in my budget. If anyone has any input (positive or negative) on these bikes it would be great. Thanks again for all your help.

-DK Charger XL or 24"
-Intense Pro XL or 24"
-Felt Sector XL or 24"
-Haro Group 1 SR 20" or 24"
-MCS Magnum Cruiser
-FMF Cuiser 24"
-Free Agent Ambush 24"
-DK Fury 24"
-Redline Pro 24"

I like the look of the felt sector in pink :D

-Intense Pro XL or 24"
-Felt Sector XL or 24"
-MCS Magnum Cruiser
-FMF Cuiser 24"
-Redline Pro 24"

The Intense Pro 24" or the Felt Sector 24" would probably be your best choices. The Redline Pro 24" is also good. The Intense comes with a lot of good parts. The one bad thing about the FMF is some of the parts are cold-forged, which means they aren't as strong as heat-forged parts. I know their cranks are and maybe some other parts.

Of that list of Completes, I like the Redline best. They do have a good reputation for race-ready completes.
A few guys in MN are running FMFs, but I think that's mostly because they got a deal or something. I wasn't too impressed w/ them.
The SE Floval Flyer is also pretty popular. They are by no means the SE of old, but they have stepped up their game in the last few years.
-Bill

The Redline gets my vote also. Those cruisers ride very nice.

Redline makes really good bikes, so your safest bet would be on the Redline.

well, i suggest a haro x2 or x3... they are only like 300$ and they can fit you because in 13 and im 5' 10" and 115 lbs.

But he wants a race bike. Duh.

I'm 37, about your height and weight, and I raced the Haro Group 1 SX 24 and the Felt in the Masters (30+) when I lived in Australia. Best thing to do is hang out at the track, and see if anyone will let you do a lap or two on their bike. And don't listen to these kids. You can't really tell one 24" from another when you're riding them.

I just wanted to thank everyone here for their help and give you guys an update. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the DK Charger 20". I'm super happy with the purchase and can't believe how much "bang for your buck" you get out of this bike.

Now on to the racing... This week was my first week back on the track in well over 10 years. I had races both Tuesday and last night (Thursday). So far so good. I took 1st on Tuesday and 3rd last night.

Thanks again everyone.

-Johnny

I just wanted to thank everyone here for their help and give you guys an update. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the DK Charger 20". I'm super happy with the purchase and can't believe how much "bang for your buck" you get out of this bike.

Now on to the racing... This week was my first week back on the track in well over 10 years. I had races both Tuesday and last night (Thursday). So far so good. I took 1st on Tuesday and 3rd last night.

Thanks again every.

-Johny

Great bike. It's good that your back on the track and doing good. Do you race ABA?

Totally cool Johnny. I'm goin racin tomorrow. It'll be my first time in a year. I'm so out of shape, but it'll be fun.
-Bill

I'm about in the same position. I haven't raced BMX in 10 years and am thinking about getting back into it. It was bad news moving to DC int hat respect, there wasn't a track within 100 miles for the first 6 years back.

i like the d-back vipers

I want to start racing.

I want to start racing.

Do it. You won't. Racing is extremely fun. And it might help you practice for DJing.