Advice on first BMX bike
 

Hey all. I usually hang out over on the Touring sub-forum, but I have a question about BMX. My son (about to turn 10) is interested in BMX. He rides a skateboard and a scooter at the skatepark and wants to start doing tricks on a bike. I would like to get him a used, inexpensive BMX bike from Craigslist or something. I would like to spend $150 or less. My problem is I know nothing about BMX. I don't know good brands or what to look for. Granted, my son is young and inexperienced and doesn't need top of the line stuff, but I would like to get him something better than a department store special that will break in a week.

I know how to work on bikes and can do any necessary repairs or part replacements that might be needed on a used bike. Any suggestions on which brands/models I should be looking for? Also any certain features I should keep an eye out for? Thanks in advance for your helpfulness.

A mid-school Dyno or GT from the 90's are a pretty common BMX and priced in your budjet.

If you look hard enough you can sometimes find a "Fit" or "Kink" in that price range. But remember to budget for a set of brakes if he needs them as most kids take them off now days.

On the off chance that you look sufficiently hard you can here and there locate a "Fit" or "Crimp" in that value extend. Be that as it may, make sure to spending plan for an arrangement of brakes on the off chance that he needs them as most children take them off now days.

Back in the day if you wanted a top of the line bike you had to build it from scratch, piece by piece. Nowadays you can get a great bike at a decent price with some real quality parts on it straight out of a box.

If they are more or less proper trick bikes, more important is not a brand, but proportions. I see so many youngsters provided with adult bikes which take away whole ability to make any simple trick.

Also, consider looking after smaller wheels than 20" or with thinner rims/tires according to weight.
The optimum size for frame top tube would be 17.5"...max 18". Cranks 165mm. But also, if legs are proportionally longer, then(only) You can afford little longer cranks for easier peddling.

Try the Mongoose Legion series

Only want brand name dropping? * FWIW in order to use the local concrete skate board bowl, BMX bikes must have

Plastic Pegs and pedals, and probably in order to further protect the surface of the bowl, from damage, thick plastic plugs in the handlebar ends..

* MY LBS has a few good companies they represent, IDK what brands your LBS carries, you should go look.




Mongoose of the 80's is a different company than ti is now .. the name sold, the parent's era bikes are downgraded to sell at Big Box Stores,

and may not even be adequately assembled, or strong enough for more than sidewalk JRA. Not Stunts.



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Nothing better unless you get lucky on something used. The Amart bike would probably be ok but going to a specialist bike shop improves your chances that a bike will be decent quality and assembled well.

One BMX GT, sturdy frame and a prestigious brand