20 for riding 2-3 miles in city streets?
12-19-21, 02:48 AM
#26
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12-20-21, 06:44 AM
#27
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I built a 20” minivelo and ride easily 10 to 12miles with the kids…
it all depends of the gearing and saddle position.
Flat bar gravel bike build…. With a twist
i’ve been riding folding bikes for years before i bought a carbon gravel bike… 20” is not a limitation.
it all depends of the gearing and saddle position.
Flat bar gravel bike build…. With a twist
i’ve been riding folding bikes for years before i bought a carbon gravel bike… 20” is not a limitation.
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12-20-21, 07:04 AM
#28
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+1
It seems that at least one of the detractors of the idea of a grown man being seen on top of a small-wheeler are more concerned about some imagined social stigma, rather than any real technical or safety issue related to the size of the wheels. I guess all those people who complemented me on my bikes at grocery stores or shouted out, "Hey, nice bike!" as I whizz by were really mocking me, after all.
It seems that at least one of the detractors of the idea of a grown man being seen on top of a small-wheeler are more concerned about some imagined social stigma, rather than any real technical or safety issue related to the size of the wheels. I guess all those people who complemented me on my bikes at grocery stores or shouted out, "Hey, nice bike!" as I whizz by were really mocking me, after all.
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12-20-21, 11:20 AM
#30
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12-20-21, 07:56 PM
#31
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I'm back to the beginning though - the OP asked about commuting a couple miles on a BMX, not buying a folder. You're jumping into the BMX forum with something unrelated. I don't think anyone who rides BMX thinks 20" is a limitation, it's about the fact that modern BMX aren't built to be pedaled sitting down. Still very doable to do 2-3 miles as the OP asked though.
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12-20-21, 08:17 PM
#32
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I'm back to the beginning though - the OP asked about commuting a couple miles on a BMX, not buying a folder. You're jumping into the BMX forum with something unrelated. I don't think anyone who rides BMX thinks 20" is a limitation, it's about the fact that modern BMX aren't built to be pedaled sitting down. Still very doable to do 2-3 miles as the OP asked though.
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12-21-21, 01:40 AM
#33
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12-21-21, 09:23 AM
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Seat Post Extender - INSIGHT BMX Technologies
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12-21-21, 06:20 PM
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And now the OP has another possibility to consider. Are we going to help him out, or are we going to keep telling him in bold, red letters just how shameful and quite uncouth it is for a grown man such as himself to be seen in public riding around on a tiny bike with tiny wheels while standing up?
Yes! It's almost as bad as wearing white shoes after Labor Day. ...................... Almost
12-23-21, 11:49 PM
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Blessed are the adults who want to ride BMX bicycles on public roadways. You're allright with me.
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12-24-21, 12:25 PM
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12-28-21, 02:07 PM
#39
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I admit MTBs on city streets aren't my thing after years of riding that way; that was based on my experience riding that kind of bike (and what I can/can't afford in that class of bike vs. something more stripped down) and not how I perceive someone looks riding one.
My original question was mostly just about any safety issues I should consider and/or any practical questions of geometry + physiology, (joint pain, repetitive injury risk, excercise etc.).
Thanks again for your suggestions. Have a good new year.
01-02-22, 01:59 AM
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Glad it worked out for you.
You already figured out the longer seat post.
Maybe carry an extra seat post and seat for when you’re feeling frisky and need the room for hops or landings?
You already figured out the longer seat post.
Maybe carry an extra seat post and seat for when you’re feeling frisky and need the room for hops or landings?
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03-08-22, 09:19 AM
#41
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Hey all. I'm an older guy and I've been riding an old school touring/road bike for a while. This was the first one I found after I moved here. I live in an urban area and ride daily about 2-4 miles one way in Baltimore city. It's mostly flat, slow sloping hills, nothing major. I'm not enjoying the 27" road bike as much since it's basically just "ride among cars, navigate lights, etc.." I'd like to be able to take stairs, maybe some parks here and there on my way around town. So, I'm looking at 20" BMXs again.
My plan is to buy a 20" BMX, put the handbrake on it, then buy a second, longer seat post to put my road seat so I can just swap between the two different set ups for longer rides vs. short ones. Also, maybe look into upping the chainring size down next year depending on how it goes.
My question is, is this nuts? When I was a kid with much younger joints I rode miles and miles on a my BMX with 18s. I know I'm not that young now, and I understand a bike fitter would probably laugh at me. But is 2-4 miles on a BMX through back streets, alleys, occasional park and what not unreasonable?
I'm in physical good physical shape -- run 20+ miles a week and my joints are all in good shape. I mostly ride the bike for fun and additional exercise and because so many trips I make around town are less than 3 miles, which seems stupid in a car. It's just that riding the road bike isn't as much fun.
Does anyone use a 20 for their regular trips in a city? Or are they just really for taking to the park, pump track, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
My plan is to buy a 20" BMX, put the handbrake on it, then buy a second, longer seat post to put my road seat so I can just swap between the two different set ups for longer rides vs. short ones. Also, maybe look into upping the chainring size down next year depending on how it goes.
My question is, is this nuts? When I was a kid with much younger joints I rode miles and miles on a my BMX with 18s. I know I'm not that young now, and I understand a bike fitter would probably laugh at me. But is 2-4 miles on a BMX through back streets, alleys, occasional park and what not unreasonable?
I'm in physical good physical shape -- run 20+ miles a week and my joints are all in good shape. I mostly ride the bike for fun and additional exercise and because so many trips I make around town are less than 3 miles, which seems stupid in a car. It's just that riding the road bike isn't as much fun.
Does anyone use a 20 for their regular trips in a city? Or are they just really for taking to the park, pump track, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
This isn't a BMX bike exactly, but it's 20" and I find it's lots of fun to ride. Last Friday I rode it up into the Mountains where I live gaining more than 4000 feet (1360 meters) of elevation. I've also covered more than 200km in a single day riding it. It's fast and climbing I can usually beat the roadies I encounter. I love it too much to jump it like a BMX, but it's easy to hop curbs without worrying about damage. Something to consider anyway.
Last edited by joey buzzard; 03-08-22 at 09:23 AM.
03-08-22, 02:13 PM
#42
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This has been my goto bike for a lot of cross-town runs recently. I've done a few comfort and safety mods to it (with more on the way) that cost me a pretty penny, but they are far more than worth it, having transformed the bike from one that I initially regretted ever buying to one that I look forward to riding every day. And one of the many reasons I like it so much now is that it has that old BMX feel to it that's always endearing.
Unlike joey buzzard , though, I still can't seem to relearn how to jump curbs or bunny hop - which I used to know how to do as a matter of routine back in the early to mid-1980s - either because I'm too old, too fat, or just too stupid (which is the most likely reason, according to my late father - and most people who met me.)
Last edited by sjanzeir; 03-26-22 at 10:27 AM.
03-16-22, 07:20 PM
#43
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This is a 24" with all the seatpost that I am willing to expose. Riding it a few miles isn't ideal, but doable. If this was a 20"- I sure wouldn't ride it with any regularity on the road. I would pass on your BMX idea as originally posted.
I don't ride it sitting down. The seat is basically a rest, so that I can relax with my feet flat between running jumps/laps on a BMX track.
Last edited by Erzulis Boat; 03-16-22 at 07:24 PM.
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03-16-22, 09:34 PM
#45
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03-18-22, 01:36 PM
#46
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So what's your point? Only BMX bikes can ever be mentioned on the BMX forum? Seems ridiculously puritanical to me, frankly. The original person posting said that he normally rides a road bike. Perhaps a bonafide BMX will satisfy them, be it a retro P.K. Ripper or Hutch Trickstar, or a more modern bike, or a cruiser, or one of those weird big wheeled over sized BMX bikes. Or maybe something more like a fast folder or a mini-velo might be pleasing too. A good 20" mini-velo can offer similar performance on the road to a road bike, but with a lot of the fun of a BMX. Can't see the point of limiting the discussion.
03-26-22, 10:00 AM
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They're 20" wheeled bikes, and they're a fantastic option. There's no rules against posting them in this section.
Exactly,...
Exactly,...
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03-26-22, 02:34 PM
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I love mini-velos. I'm building one up from a frame/fork that I ordered from Germany. I won't post a photo here, since its drop-handlebars would surely get me banned. If mini-velos are interesting to you, the Folding Bicycles forum is pretty much the de-facto forum for them. Particularly the thread for the Mercier Nano, a mini-velo that's been offered by BikesDirect .com for like 10 years and, is cheap enough for most people to buy/customize.
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03-26-22, 03:35 PM
#49
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I'd be real careful. The Social Democratic Republic of B.M.X does not take well to traitors. You will be visited by five men in a black Volga at 3 in the morning. You will be put in an underground room that's too short for you to stand up in and too narrow for you to lie down in, and you will be buried in BMX sprockets and chainrings. Lifetime will make a low-budget TV movie about you. Your role will be played by Steve Coogan.
03-28-22, 09:36 AM
#50
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I'm just coming back to say thank you to the folks who've suggested the various formats of 20" bikes; be they "Trad" BMX, minivelos or folders or whatever. While the folders and minivelos are a more component-rich/complex bike than I'm personally looking for right now it's good to know they are an option if I decide to look into them. I appreciate those suggestions. So far my 20" BMX has been great over the last few months or riding it around town.
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