BMX - Looking into racing cruisers

I am thinking of getting back into bmx racing and was thinking of trying a crusier. I used to race 20" and I am not to familier with the crusiers. Any recomendations on good bikes and what to stay away from?
Thanks

I raced a Haro and a Felt. Both good bikes. They're all the same at any given price point.

What's the budget?

I tested out this GT cruiser sooooo smooth. I think it was the powerseries(excuse me if I'm wrong I don't really remember). It was like 8ish years old and still runs nice.

Was it the really fat frame?

Was it the really fat frame?

My bad I think I was thinking of something else at the time. Frame style is kinda like this

That's a GT Powerseries Ultra-Box. I'm pretty sure anyhow.

the budget is $600.

Look at anything in that range then. If you're into racing, go on J&R's Bicycle (http://www.jrbicycles.com/storefront/index.php) and look at the complete crusiers.

When I was into racing alot,I had a Supercross RCR Pro cruiser.
It is a very light and strong crmo frame.I think It was just bellow 4 lbs just for the frame.

I know some people hate Redline, but the Proline Pro Cruiser is less than $600, and seems to be fairly well spec'd. I just got one and the only part I felt like I needed to change out right away was the hi-ten bars. But then... I've never raced bmx. I'm just getting into this coming from XC mtb riding and racing. I'm too broke and busy to race mtb's right now, so I'm hoping I can get my racing fix with bmx. I live in Tampa, FL and there are 4 tracks less than an hour from my house.

I'm not a big fan of Redline, but that is a pretty good bike.

You have pictures of your new whip you can share with us

You have pictures of your new whip you can share with us

I'm assuming you're talking to me...





Crappy cell phone pic taken at the shop. I took off the pads and changed the pedals to spd 520's and weighed it. 24.93 lbs. I really just took the pic for posterity cause right after that I took it apart. Well, right after I rode it around the parking lot a bit. The fork is at the powdercoaters getting pc'd a nice shiny black to match the Fly Racing bar that I ordered. When I get the fork back I'm going to put on a spare King headset (black of course) that I've got laying around. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use the 520's or a set of 647's that I've already got from a previous project. Clips are a must because I can't really ride a bike without them. I'll have more and better pics when its all done.

Clips are a must because I can't really ride a bike without them.

You're either confused, mistaken, or very retro.

Having clips when racing makes things better/easier if you ask me. I never did get the point of the TT pad.

You're either confused, mistaken, or very retro.

lol. Hmm... Although I am often confused, and occasionally mistaken, I am only sort of retro. When I say "clips", I mean what they are really called, "clipless pedals". Its gets old having to explain that the pedals are called that because they don't use toeclips. So I go with the flow and just say clips like everybody else. Now, if you knew what I meant and are refering to my need to use clipless pedals, all I can say is that I've been riding and racing mtb's on clipless pedals since 2002 and I really do have problems anytime I try to ride on flats. It is pretty entertaining to watch me try to bunny hop without having my feet attached to my pedals.

I find bunny hopping easier without clips.

I'm assuming you're talking to me...





Crappy cell phone pic taken at the shop. I took off the pads and changed the pedals to spd 520's and weighed it. 24.93 lbs. I really just took the pic for posterity cause right after that I took it apart. Well, right after I rode it around the parking lot a bit. The fork is at the powdercoaters getting pc'd a nice shiny black to match the Fly Racing bar that I ordered. When I get the fork back I'm going to put on a spare King headset (black of course) that I've got laying around. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use the 520's or a set of 647's that I've already got from a previous project. Clips are a must because I can't really ride a bike without them. I'll have more and better pics when its all done.

That looks great ,Nice ride
My cruiser is in the 24lb weight too

lol. Hmm... Although I am often confused, and occasionally mistaken, I am only sort of retro. When I say "clips", I mean what they are really called, "clipless pedals". Its gets old having to explain that the pedals are called that because they don't use toeclips. So I go with the flow and just say clips like everybody else. Now, if you knew what I meant and are refering to my need to use clipless pedals, all I can say is that I've been riding and racing mtb's on clipless pedals since 2002 and I really do have problems anytime I try to ride on flats. It is pretty entertaining to watch me try to bunny hop without having my feet attached to my pedals.


Clips:



Cleats:



A jillion years ago, I went back and measured the little wall in the parking lot of my elementary school - it was a hair under 18 inches. I hopped that every day, on a nickel Mongoose with Motomags that must have weighed 40lbs. That was long before SPD was even a gleam in Shimano's eye.

You don't need cleats to bunny hop, just practice.

I find bunny hopping easier without clips.

As do I.

Clips:



Cleats:



A jillion years ago, I went back and measured the little wall in the parking lot of my elementary school - it was a hair under 18 inches. I hopped that every day, on a nickel Mongoose with Motomags that must have weighed 40lbs. That was long before SPD was even a gleam in Shimano's eye.

You don't need cleats to bunny hop, just practice.


Yeah, we were on the same page. I know full well what clips and straps are. I used them for a good little while when I first got into mountain bikes. Death Traps for sure.

See the thing is, its not just bunny hops, its having complete control of the bike. Being able to throw it around and put it exactly where I want it, which, and I may be wrong here, seems to me would be very important in bmx racing. I'm too old at 31 to learn a new way to ride a bike. It would be like learning a new way to walk.

FWIW, I have tried to learn to bunny hop on my 20" Mirraco play bike with flat pedals. And almost tore myself up in the process.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the racing thing. I run clips, but it's hard to be competitive in the expert class without them. You get more power out of them and you do have more control.