| Chops717 |
09-13-19 09:30 AM |
Came for the C&V section of the forum but like always find myself looking at the BMX section instead. (Little background, been riding 15+ years, street and parks, traveled a little, filmed video stuff, the whole 9 yards) Tossing out a couple here for what I would end up with based on budgets but also keeping it with rider owned/operated companies or ones that have always supported the local scenes (and a couple of my friends)
- No budget: Sunday Soundwave ($1,050)- Probably the most expensive complete out there, but for good reason. Comes with an aftermarket frame, forks and bars from Sunday, who has a lifetime warranty on their products. I personally ride one of their frames because after 6+ frames with bent rear triangles from grind damage, I wanted something with a warranty like that and its held up. Also comes with a laundry list of odyssey components, which are top notch. Only notes on this one are the fact that it is a brakeless bike, and I believe it comes with a freecoaster, preference things but how most of the bikes are now a days.
- Cheapest (option 1): Kink Launch ($320)- So this is on the other end of the spectrum here, this is the second cheapest bike that Kink offers, the Curb being the cheapest, the main difference to me is the bottom bracket. On the Curb, you have an unsealed American sized BB, while on the Launch you have a sealed mid. Having that sealed mid BB will allow you to actually keep your cranks. You’ll get a couple other components that can transfer over as well, but the trade off is the Hi-ten steel frame and unsealed wheels and what looks to be some lightweight aluminum rims that wont hold up to serious abuse, but you’ll definitely be able to cruise around and have some fun. Keep an eye on them though because the trend is towards bigger tires, so that leave less wiggle room (literally) when it comes to fork and frame clearance, and cheaper wheels never seem to stay true.
- Cheapest (Option 2): Fit Bikes Series One ($360)- These are a little more expensive for a similarly equipped bike as the kink, but the advantage they offer seems to be a variety of top tube sizes, which is pretty darn important for comfort or just how the bike rides, and the frame has a chromo TT and DT. If you ask me, a better fitting frame is worth $40 up front, rather than $400 down the road, so if you’re looking for something that fits a little better, take a look at the Fit.
- $400-500 Range: Kink Liberty ($460)- This is probably the best budget/value bike in my eyes. You’ll get a full chromo frame and fork, sealed components, and will probably hold up well. There are a few cheaper components, but the important stuff is taken care of and you wont have any issues. Modern geometry, couple aftermarket parts, and overall a decent bike
- $500+ range: Sunday Street sweeper ($710)- I’m not a freecoaster guy but this is a heck of a bike. Aftermarket wheels, a $340 aftermarket frame with a lifetime warranty, and a slew of quality parts, you’ll be set for quite some time. I actually considered picking this bike up a while back because my frame was bent and I needed a few other parts replaced or fixed, and the cost alone was close to this bike. A little pricey, but overall its worth it.
Those are just my picks. Also, all prices and bikes were found on empire bmx’s website. Rider owned and run shop, and have always been the best to deal with. Unless its local, my money wont go elsewhere.
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