no1mad 

I won one of these from a local radio station about a year ago or so. My son is just now getting to be big enough to ride it. However, I had to snag it for my commute today until I can get my normal rig fixed.

I'm 6' and weigh about 215 lbs.- Is it possible (or even advisable) to 'tweak' it so that it's a bit more comfortable for me in case I have to snag it again in the future? I've already raised the seat post to the minimum insertion line, and my knees are well above my butt while sitting on it.

Street rider

Not much you can do. Unless you stand up. But thats uncomfortable for anything more than just a couple miles.

fuji86

5'11" & about 200 lbs myself. I know what you're going thru. 20" bmx is a standing only ride for me too and strictly around the neighborhood. I think you could put an extension tube on the seat post to get some extra leg length. Ride it like it was a folding bike. That way you'd have the seat post at it's minimum insertion point, you could use a clamp or two for the extension where the seat attaches and raise it a little more. I don't get any real speed out of a 20" bmx, ride it nice and slow and it should get you thru the period you need it to and get your bike back. Not sure how far you ride, but it sounds like you are going to borrow it either way. BTW, 36/13 on a 20 inch wheel is the same GI as the older style 44/16 my 2003 has. You won't be setting land speed records with that and it's not hard to pedal it up to top speed.

pitbull007

I would get a laidback seat post put on as long as it`s the right diameter.
And maybe chicago the front handlebars abit , lean them forward

no1mad 

Yeah, I may try rotating the bars forward a bit- my hands got extremely numb on that ride. I only have to ride it less than 4 miles if I ever have to use it again.

Street rider

Your hands went numb? On a short ride like that?

no1mad 

Yeah, they were tingling. My Kona has Ergon grips and I'm also able to sit in the saddle while riding. My son's Haro is too small, so I had to support more of my weight on my hands than what I'm used to.

Other than the fit being an issue, the braking was less than inspiring. Going downhill, I would have the hand brake fully squeezed and it only slowed me down- it wouldn't stop me. Off the bike, the brakes lock up the wheels, but I guess I'm too heavy for them...

Street rider

Its not necessarily you, they're just not tight enough and need to be adjusted. And for the hands, just stand up and ride. Way easier on the arms, only slightly worse on the back than an ill-fitting bike.

no1mad 

Okay, I'll play with the brakes some and see if I can dial them in better. I'm also going to rotate the bars forward just a bit and see if that helps any.

Street rider

Yea, that 20.5" tt just isn't real good for someone your size. Too bad you didn't have your choice in the matter or the ability to get one in a bigger size. I'm 5' 10" and I feel like a 20.5 is just right though. All personal preference/body shape. Long legs?

no1mad 

All of my pants/jeans have inseam lengths of either 30" or 32", depending on brand/cut.

Whatcha got in mind for a 24 that will be mostly street, a little dirt, and no vert?

Street rider

Thats about my leg size too. Not really sure what 24's to go for, was never really my thing. I know that there are a few out there that can take the abuse of the street though, I'd just suggest google.

no1mad 

I rotated those bars forward a bit. That does seem to help- and relaxing my grip a bit.

On a side note, I did a little bit of research about those brakes. One article I read equated U-brakes to dimmer switches. Better suited for control than stopping. Apparently, the racing rigs get the more powerful V-brakes, while the Freerides and Jumpers use the U-brakes.

Street rider

Yea, they aren't really meant for stopping on a dime. But thats all you need them for on a BMX bike. What gearing do you have?

no1mad 

Info I found states 36/13.

I like the compact size of the bmx, but I need more stopping power than what the U-brakes offer. If I could find a freeride with V-brakes or even a coaster brake, I think I'd be good. SE has some larger (700c) SS/FG, but I really want the small frame- very nimble and easier to handle off the bike for storage and transport.

Street rider

ssfg is the way to go man! And the only way to get a v-brake on a BMX bike is to get a race/cruiser frame. That leaves more options for a 24", but it won't really take the abuse of park/street/dirt at all.

BobH.

no1mad,

I hear you, it's a fun ride. I went at it a bit differently, I bought a Haro Reserve 1.1 for myself. I added a front disc, changed to a taller seat post and taller bars. I'm loving the bike BTW, I'm 60 plus. I've changed the ratios and it is my go to ride.

BobH.

no1mad 

Committing a bit of necromancy in order to be able to find this thread again.

The Haro was stolen about a month back. Got it back, but not before the decals were stripped (no biggie there), but the axle appears to have been bent .

Dannihilator

What wheel, front or rear.

no1mad 

Rear. It looks lined up inside the drop outs, but the wheel is noticeably out of alignment inside the triangle. The wheel is still true (no noticeable wobble), however.