BMX - Help me pick my first BMX bike

Hey,

I'm 35 years old, bike a lot on the road and MTB, and am just now catching the BMX fever. But I have no idea how to fit a BMX bike. I will most likely ride on the street just for fun. I'm 5'11", and weigh about 180. I looked at the Specialized FatBoy and the K2 Ghetto tonight, just because they were what the store had on the floor. Any suggestions for frame/wheel size, etc? I know nothing about BMX.

Thanks.

the only real sizing issue is top tube length...most bikes have about a 14" chainstay, and the seat tubes are pretty much all the same length: too short to make any really noticible difference unless you've been riding long enough to tell, and even then...

basically, i'd reccommend that you get a bike with a 20.5" top tube or longer. the longer ones are 20.65", and 21".

wheel sizes...hmm... basically, there's 20" and 24". if you want to do tricks and such, get a 20" a 24" might fit you better, but they can be more difficult to manuever, and not a lot of people ride street or ramps on them...they're more for dirt jumping and racing...mostly racing.

the specialized should be just fine for you now, as long as it has 3 piece cranks.

or if you've got the cash you could always get a really nice frame (standard, T-1, kink, FBM, Fit) for around $300 and get all the parts separately, and get exactly what you want. but if you're just starting out, i'd say go for a reasonably priced complete bike with 3 piece cranks and start ridin'!

what he said... your not that big so probably a 20" wheel (triplewall) and 20.5"top tube. definitly get three-piece cranks. try to get the bike around 30lbs... for ur size though a heavier bike may not matter (if u got muscle). test some bikes- in the past 3 years i've been on 5 bikes- just trying to figure out what i need- dont waste money on biuilding a bike until you knoe more about the right parts for u
also read up on the new and best parts on the market- online auctions never fail to get the best for cheap!

Ok, I can't tell what is meant by 20" wheel.
Is it 20" from the floor to the top of the tire, or is it a 20" rim plus tire(I'm guessing around 23" or something)?

Thanks,

Jacob

the rim is 20" so u'll be able to tell... most stunt bike are.... it goes 20" then 24" so it is a noticable difference... the fork on a 20" is also smaller

the diameter is 20".

the diameter is 20". and id recomend you get a 20.75" TT.

what exactly is a three piece crank?

a 3 piece crank is when the bottom braket is separate from each crank arm. They are the strongest but also the most expensive type of crank

If u like dirt jumping, I would go for the spesh.

id recomend a 20.5" tt aswell, and sealed 3's, keep it around 30 lbs.