Help a BMX newbie out!
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Help a BMX newbie out!
I've been thinking about getting a BMX for transport, drop, stairs, nothing demanding. Just want something that doesn't rattle and that can go pretty fast. I've been looking at the Yogurt bikes and Diamonback...Rat dog? C-Dog? Raw dog? It was something with dog in it. My budget is 650 dollars, so help me out will ya? Remember, I don't know anything about BMX's. For example, why are 3 piece cranks superior?
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I cringe whenever 'BMX' and 'transport' are used in the same sentence. Have you looked at the Giant STP 2 or Specialized P Series? Kona also makes a line of of dirt jumpers ('progressive hardtail' is the most appropriate term I've heard), notably the Scrap and the Stuff on the more affordable end.
The only acceptable reason for getting a BMX bike is because you want to ride BMX. They're terrible commuters and much squirrelier and less comfortable than a progressive hardtail. BMX bikes are still the weapon of choice for skatepark, technical freestyle and flatland, but they're starting to be replaced by 26 inch wheels for street and dirt jumping because the geometry is roomier and more stable.
That said, you can get a lot of BMX bike for $650. The trouble is, big companies don't focus much effort on quality BMX lines. They see them as kids bikes, something to grow out of and graduate to mountain bikes. The good stuff comes from smaller companies on the fringe of the industry, but those guys usually specialize in one or a handful of components, not complete bikes. Hence the unusually heavy popularity of custom bikes in the BMX world. To start out, emphasis should be placed on the essentials: frame and fork. www.danscomp.com sells complete custom bikes built on quality framesets for as much or as little as you want to spend. I'm partial to S&M myself but ask 10 BMXers what the best is and you'll get 12 different answers.
Look for:
4130 chromoly steel frame and fork. FULL 4130, not '4130 seat tube' bullsh*t.
3-piece CrMo cranks. Much stronger and stiffer than 1-piece.
Cassette rear hub is a plus. Stronger than freewheels and you can run smaller cogs.
Double-walled alloy rims
The rest is trivial; you can replace it as you break it.
The only acceptable reason for getting a BMX bike is because you want to ride BMX. They're terrible commuters and much squirrelier and less comfortable than a progressive hardtail. BMX bikes are still the weapon of choice for skatepark, technical freestyle and flatland, but they're starting to be replaced by 26 inch wheels for street and dirt jumping because the geometry is roomier and more stable.
That said, you can get a lot of BMX bike for $650. The trouble is, big companies don't focus much effort on quality BMX lines. They see them as kids bikes, something to grow out of and graduate to mountain bikes. The good stuff comes from smaller companies on the fringe of the industry, but those guys usually specialize in one or a handful of components, not complete bikes. Hence the unusually heavy popularity of custom bikes in the BMX world. To start out, emphasis should be placed on the essentials: frame and fork. www.danscomp.com sells complete custom bikes built on quality framesets for as much or as little as you want to spend. I'm partial to S&M myself but ask 10 BMXers what the best is and you'll get 12 different answers.
Look for:
4130 chromoly steel frame and fork. FULL 4130, not '4130 seat tube' bullsh*t.
3-piece CrMo cranks. Much stronger and stiffer than 1-piece.
Cassette rear hub is a plus. Stronger than freewheels and you can run smaller cogs.
Double-walled alloy rims
The rest is trivial; you can replace it as you break it.
#5
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Originally Posted by kona_q_man
Sado Masochist? I'm not into that.
Pervert ****.
Pervert ****.
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Cringe all you like, it's not like I'm going to miles and miles on it. To and back from paintball, to and back from work, between homes. The reason why I want an BMX is because I enjoy riding them much more than regular bikes. They look better, you can go anywhere basically and I like the dead on accuracy (last sentence sounded weird, yes)
Here's what the DB Venom specs said: Frame made from 100% CrMo, double bottom rims (48 spoke), 3 piece CrMo crank (still don't know what that means), CrMo two piece handle bar
Here's what the DB Venom specs said: Frame made from 100% CrMo, double bottom rims (48 spoke), 3 piece CrMo crank (still don't know what that means), CrMo two piece handle bar
#8
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Originally Posted by kona_q_man
Cringe all you like, it's not like I'm going to miles and miles on it. To and back from paintball, to and back from work, between homes. The reason why I want an BMX is because I enjoy riding them much more than regular bikes. They look better, you can go anywhere basically and I like the dead on accuracy (last sentence sounded weird, yes)
Here's what the DB Venom specs said: Frame made from 100% CrMo, double bottom rims (48 spoke), 3 piece CrMo crank (still don't know what that means), CrMo two piece handle bar
Here's what the DB Venom specs said: Frame made from 100% CrMo, double bottom rims (48 spoke), 3 piece CrMo crank (still don't know what that means), CrMo two piece handle bar
Diamondback has gone downhill in the past decade, I'd probably stay away from them. A buddy of mine used to get all his DB frames for free and still didn't have many good things to say about 'em. Your best bet in BMX is to stick with companies that ONLY sell BMX parts and accessories, particularly ones that specialize in the type of riding you like to do. For example, Staats makes a killer race frame but they don't want anything to do with flatland. S&M's primary focus is on street and dirt jumping...they've discontinued their flatland frame and their race frames are middle of the road. Quamen makes a bomber flatland frame but their recent addition of a street frame met with mixed success and they won't touch the racing market.
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I like the S&M Black Bike Classic as far as S&M's go..
If you're looking for a decent bike, a Fit Series 2 is a nice buy, although from MY experience their head tubes are complete crap. A dirt jumping buddy of mine owned one and he literally broke the weld.
Diamondbacks, Schwinn, GT, Haro, Mongoose, Huffy, Next, ect.. I'd stay away from.
If you're looking for a decent bike, a Fit Series 2 is a nice buy, although from MY experience their head tubes are complete crap. A dirt jumping buddy of mine owned one and he literally broke the weld.
Diamondbacks, Schwinn, GT, Haro, Mongoose, Huffy, Next, ect.. I'd stay away from.
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i would say s&m if they still made dirtbikes.
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How about you split the difference, and get a cruiser? More comfortable than a 20" for anything resembling a commute, and you can still bash the crap out of them.
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Really do'. 3-piece cranks are superior to 1-piece because of their ease to take apart and clean out and stuff and they're generally stronger. They also look cooler!
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Originally Posted by Kyle90
I like the S&M Black Bike Classic as far as S&M's go..
If you're looking for a decent bike, a Fit Series 2 is a nice buy, although from MY experience their head tubes are complete crap. A dirt jumping buddy of mine owned one and he literally broke the weld.
Diamondbacks, Schwinn, GT, Haro, Mongoose, Huffy, Next, ect.. I'd stay away from.
If you're looking for a decent bike, a Fit Series 2 is a nice buy, although from MY experience their head tubes are complete crap. A dirt jumping buddy of mine owned one and he literally broke the weld.
Diamondbacks, Schwinn, GT, Haro, Mongoose, Huffy, Next, ect.. I'd stay away from.
gt and haro souldn't be categorized with mongoose, huffy, and next
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Originally Posted by Kyle90
I like the S&M Black Bike Classic as far as S&M's go..
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Originally Posted by Beerman
Too bad that the S&M Black Bike and the Dirtbike Classic are two totally different frames, you moron.
You should've left out the comma, it would've been funnier. either way, its' still pretty lol
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Originally Posted by lance sedlacek
gt and haro souldn't be categorized with mongoose, huffy, and next
Why not? they are just as bad
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Originally Posted by queensrider86
Why not? they are just as bad
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Hey, if you're still reading this thread. I have a complete bike except for a rear wheel, chain, and sprocket, that I am willing to sell for $300. I won't go into detail, but the frame is a near mint Kink Freebird, and many of the parts are odyssey. If you are anyone else wants more details PM me, and I'll give you the parts list and pics if you want them.
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not everybody has the money to go buy a standard queensrider
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Originally Posted by lance sedlacek
not everybody has the money to go buy a standard queensrider
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Originally Posted by lance sedlacek
not everybody has the money to go buy a standard queensrider
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Originally Posted by lance sedlacek
not everybody has the money to go buy a standard queensrider
you are a ******. I can't go ask my parents for money like some of you could. I work for my money.
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Originally Posted by queensrider86
you are a ******. I can't go ask my parents for money like some of you could. I work for my money.