Viich

My boys just started doing clinics at the bmx track, now they're trying to get me to get a bike as well. I"m all for not letting them have ALL the fun, but what's the minimum I can get away with on bike? I know I could ride something else in a novice class, but I don't have anything suitable (road bikes and commuters).

Is there enough difference between entry race bikes and street/park bikes that I should be really picky, or what?

Thanks!

osiris419

A race bike will have have a bigger gear ratio for speed and are usually longer in the rear end and have a slacker head tube angle to make it more stable. f you're going to be riding the track get a race bike just make sure it's the proper top tube length for your height you'll be much more comfortable. Here's a good size chart to help https://www.danscomp.com/sizing/rider-sizing-chart/

Viich

Thanks - I've been riding my 8yo's 'neighbourhood' bmx - giant Moda. It's pretty cramped. I'm a little over 6', but have long arms & legs - That seems to me to be a reason to go to the long side of that chart - an I right?

fietsbob

And will be built lighter .. may be have 451 rims for lighter , faster tires , rather than the rugged 406 rims..


the course a pretty well groomed track?

Olympic BMX course, seen, was quite well developed, so course was same for last Moto, as the first..


For you? single speed rigid fork mountain bike with 26" wheels?



....

Viich

I got the boys used bmx race bikes - yes, with 451 wheels. A DK tracer for the youngest and a gt pro for the 8yo, both in Junior size. I think I just found a 22" FMF race frame for me, actually a full bike less wheelset. We've got 2 BMX Canada affiliated tracks in town (one not operating for this year) and a UCI one across the river, the used market is pretty good here for BMX race bikes.

osiris419

Being over 6' you might want to into a 24" you'll have plenty of room on that.

Viich

Not necessarily - they build cruisers in sizes my boys can ride. Really more about the TT length & ST angle than wheel size - same as Bike Friday, Brompton, and mini-velos - locate the bars, cranks, and seat (in BMX case, seat not really important), and everything else can be re-arranged a bit. There are bike-handling that comes from geometry as well, but there are far bigger differences between my Pro-XXXL 20" frame and my boys' Junior 20" frame than are necessarily made by changing the wheels to 24".

The 22" TT seems like lots of room so far, admittedly just a couple rides in the yard so far, haven't been to the track yet, as they set up the Canada Day midway in the same park the track is located. I bought the FMF bike from a guy 2" taller than me who had been racing on it - his kids are focusing on MTB and cross now as they get older, sold his BMX stuff.

osiris419

A Pro-XXXL should be perfect for you. I'm glad you found something.

MAYAM

Congrats you found something good for yourself.
Havubg to find a perfect bike comes with problems most times

tds101 

Can you please post a few picks comparing your bike to a standard bmx bike. I'd love to see the size difference. It's truly gets me interested.

Viich

I'll take some pics of my bike, my boys' race bikes and a cheap 'bmx style' bike we've got. I haven't had a 'standard bmx' in 30 years, so can't really comment.

tds101 

Thanks. I'm just trying to see the size difference, since I've wanted a bmx bike of my own to get in some rides around the house. I love the simplicity, as well as the strength of the bikes. They're so much fun to ride.

Viich

Here are a couple pictures. The Giant Moda is disassembled at the moment, so no comparison to it, but I'm not sure it's much of a baseline for anything.



Blue one in front is my Pro XXXL FMF, with 20x1.75 tires (406 BSD), rear is my 6yo's DK Tracer Junior with 20x1 3/8 (451 BSD). You can see how much longer the bike is, both in the chainstays and the front triangle.


Added in my 8yo's GT (Also a Junior). You can really see how much bigger the 451 20" is than the 406 20".


The two junior frames are very slightly different - the GT is slightly longer, seems to be mostly in the rear triangle. (and quite a bit lighter - I weighed it at 13lbs to the DK at 15.5lbs)

wixmen

Hola,
estan muy bien cuidadas. las vendes?

Viich

Desole, mais je ne parle que anglais et francais.

Sorry, but I only speak English and French.

If I trust google translate, yes, they're in great shape, and no, not planning on selling any of them soon. Maybe picking up a lighter fork for mine if I see a good deal, and maybe some smaller bars.