BMX - BMX for Christmas

Hello! We're buying our 11 yr old son a new bmx bike for Christmas. He's asked for a step up from the Toys-R-Us bikes, and is fairly new to BMX, just starting some jumping and trying to learn. There are two bike shops here, one sells Trek and Specialized, and the other sells Diamondback. We've narrowed our selections down (price range wise) to either an '05 Specialized Fuse I, or an '05 Diamondback Joker. We can move up to the Diamondback Venom for about $40.00, but the Fuse II is a bit out of range. We need to make a decision quickly, as stock is getting low, but really don't have the knowledge to base a good decision on, and would REALLY appreciate some input.

It depends, first off Diamond Backs are not good bikes, they're very unreliable bikes i rode one of my friends for a weak it broke twice. I dont know about the Specialized, I've never ridden one, that was built right. I'd suggest a DK General Lee, it's a smaller bike a very small wheel base. The general lee is the better bike.

everybody wants to spend as little money as possible and get the best available.

he's 11. buy him what makes him happy. if he sticks with bikes, he'll end up replacing parts as he needs them.

if all you have is 40 bucks, your not going to get much of a bike. so buy what makes him happy.

i think they meant for 40$ more they can step up to the venom. i agree with Charlie, id go with the general lee.

Get the Fuse I.

everybody wants to spend as little money as possible and get the best available.

he's 11. buy him what makes him happy. if he sticks with bikes, he'll end up replacing parts as he needs them.

if all you have is 40 bucks, your not going to get much of a bike. so buy what makes him happy.

good tips

www.danscomp.com world wide mail order has complete bmx bikes starting at $109.99 and up.

go with the fuse 1.

Id tell him to get the Joker, if its under 180...It has a Hiten steel frame that can take the abuse, decent brakes, and an overall good design. Its wheelbase is not that big, and its much better than mongoose bikes. It has a 2 (3) piece crank, and pegs. I really like the color (black). So far the only thing i had to change is the handlebars (it got stripped bc i never tightened it) and the grips. Ive had this bike for abt 4 years.

a Hiten steel frame that can take the abuse

You're joking, right? That's almost as bad as aluminum.

hey im not, im 185 lbs and grind every so often, and the frame hasnt collapsed under me. Its got a few dents here and there, the dropouts dont bend, neither do the 14mm axels. He's 11 years old, id say hes no more than 140 lbs. When hes 18 get him something nice. maybe a car.

LOL I owned a mongoose Hoop D and rode it for 2 years, I beat the **** out of it but it held up, and im 175 kilograms. J/k that'd be like 300 pounds. Well anyway parts break cause of misuse. If you buy anybike and beat the living **** of it of course it'll break.