BMX - Freestyle

Anybody here do freestyle? I'm looking to get started in it and I need a bike. I am currently looking at a Haro F3 or one of the Backtrail series, I kind of need a good allr ound bike. I am hoping to get something around $250 but $300 max, I would also like to stay with a Haro because that is all my local dealer carries. Thanks.

Pretty much everyone here does.

it's all BMX to me.
-Bill

Oh thats cool, are Haro good bikes?

Depends on the model.

What about the F-series from Haro?

No, my friend has the F1 and it doesn't hold well. His seat comes loose a lot, and the one of the chain links popped the cranks and bb stink like no other and some other stuff. For all of you, he tightens the seat like no other.

+coaser brake.

go nyquist or backtrail.

I'm pretty happy with the F2's, I'm on my second, my first one was stolen 2 months ago and I just replaced it the one in the bike checks thread a few weeks ago. The one that got stolen held up well, I'm a big guy and the only thing that I broke in the year I had it was that some of the rear wheel spokes came loose, but it got stolen before that could develop into a real problem. Also, the frame isn't full cromoly, which may be a problem, but I'm not super hard on the frame and I've got to wait until I'm through grad school to be able to make that investment. My only real qualms with the bike is that the pedals and barends are crap and will be replaced if I get some good christmas presents

Pfft who would do freestyle

Is this not the F2:

http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/f_II3.php

yeah it is. it looks decent.

I would personally stay away from the F series. I had a F5 and it was a money pit, all it did was break and fall apart. Except the frame could take a beating. I even gave the frame away and its been given away several times since then and no one has broke it yet.

I would personally stay away from the F series. I had a F5 and it was a money pit, all it did was break and fall apart. Except the frame could take a beating. I even gave the frame away and its been given away several times since then and no one has broke it yet.

I second that.

I'll disagree, my F2 took a full year beating (I weigh 230) without anything breaking down, I think my rear wheel problem was more from letting people ride on my pegs more than anything else. For $250 it's not a bad deal

If it lasted a year and nothing broke then it sure as hell wasn't a beating.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'm still thinking one of the F-Series bikes because they com with front brakes and pegs. I going to check with my local dealer soon but can somebody give me the preices:

F1-
F2-
F3-
F4-
F5-

Thanks.

I'm not saying that I was dropping off of my roof or running it into walls, but it did hold up to 5+ miles a day of riding plus me trying to learn the basics. I'm not saying they're the Cadillac of bicycles, but they do serve their purpose as an affordable and durable beginners bike. I paid ~240 for my new F2, but I got a little bit of a break from my LBS because they knew about my old one being stolen

My friend was a beginner on the F1c and it stunk. It was 180$ not to forget it's 18"

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'm still thinking one of the F-Series bikes because they com with front brakes and pegs. I going to check with my local dealer soon but can somebody give me the preices:

F1-
F2-
F3-
F4-
F5-

Thanks.

Do not go near the F5. Mine was a total hunk of junk. Maybie thats why the model was discontinued after like a year. The rest of the F series i dont know much about but I am imagining that they are the same. I havent seen anything great from haros low end. If I were to get one of there cheaper bikes i would go with the back trail series and i'd shoot for one of the better ones. And just to set it straight I am not one of those people that say "haro's suck" cuz my friends told me so. I do not have a problem with haro and I am riding a 2005 Haro Nyquist Pro that i have put a fair amount of money into.

Thanks for all the feedback, but the main reason I am going the the F-Series is becuase the come with front brakes and pegs. How much would it cost to eqiup those to a diffrent Haro.

You don't need front brakes unless you're doing flatland.

I am planning on doing a lot flatland there for I would need front brakes.

well depends...

Depends on what?

money wise. brakes range from 20 to like 200.

F1c has everything you need. The parts stink. But if you ride around the block a few times it's fine.

ok even if the brakes only cost 20 dollars, how much would it cost to equip them. Would have to buy new forks or something?

Need forks with the brake mount things. Forks are in the 100$ plus usually.

I am probably going to buy the Haro F3 because it is pretty cheap, any comments on it. I have heard the rims bend easy. I will be doing mostly flatland. thanks.

If you're mainly doing flatland why don't you get a flatland bike.

What kind of bikes are flatland bikes? How much would a decent one cost?

EDIT: I have been doing some research and the Haro F3 has most of the features of a flatland bike, doesn't it? I have compared it to the DK Signal.

It doesn't have a freecoaster, which is pretty essential to flatlanding.

Okay, I have heard that alot and I know it has something to do with backpedaling and braking and reverse, so could someone tell me what it does exactly . Thanks.

Basically, a freecoaster doesn't make your cranks move when you go backwards.

So on the Haro F3 if I go Backwards so do my pedals, correct? Also is there a cheap way to put one on it?

Yes, correct.

The cheap version of a freecoaster is to take your chain off... but then you can't really go anywhere.

ok, cool thanks.

ok just one more question, does the Haro F3 have a gyro? and if it doesn't how much does it cost to equip or can one be equipped? I almost have the money together to buy a good bike, thanks.

Yes, correct.

The cheap version of a freecoaster is to take your chain off... but then you can't really go anywhere.

Or make a homemade one such as I did. I used an old coaster brake. The only thing that sucks is there is sooo much slack in it when you try to pedal again.

it has a gyro.