Keith Hill

He is 12yo and has outgrown his old cheap BMX bike along with needing something more functional than the Schwinn Stingray Chopper that he currently rides. He'll be 13 in October and is currently about 90lbs and almost 5' tall.

We have tried several different bikes out locally (In order of preference); (A) Redline Link 5.1, (B) Haro Nyquist 2, (C) Mirraco Black Pearl Raw, (D)GT Power Series Pro (More of a racing bike), (E) Giant Modem (didn't like at all).

After reading reviews, I have shown him the following bikes that I would like for him to compare to the Redline Link 5.1, which he currently likes the most, (In order of preference);

(F) Eastern Element (We like in the Raleigh, NC area, and they are local to us)
(G) Eastern Sequence
(H) DK Six Pack
(I) Hoffman Rhythm IL1
(J) Fit Pro
(K) Stolen Wrap
(L) We the People Addict

I would like to keep the price in the $350 - $450 range if possible. He would probably be just as happy with another department store bike, though I am old school bmx and raced GT Pro XL's back in the early/mid 80's, with countless GJS, Race Inc, Webco, Redline, Haro, Skyway, PK & GT bikes all completely built and customized by me. I am fairly familiar with all the Old School brands, but understand that they aren't exactly what they used to be. My goal is to get him something that will last 2-3 years and that is a good foundation for upgrading should he choose to do so in the future, along with having something that will last. We do have access to several indoor parks, but he hasn't shown any interest. This is more for riding in the neighborhood with his current buddies (who have both Next, Giants, Mongoose, etc.), and they are just getting to the age where they will start venturing off to find some dirt mounds to ride within our local suburbia.

I've read the stories about the isolated issues with component failure, which all products will have. That doesn't really bother me unless the issue is current and hasn't been resolved. I understand that the Eastern Bikes are currently in high demand and are still back ordered well into July, which has slowed their market presence, though there are many orders for them in the stores, they just don't have product to sell.

To recapture; my son is mostly interested in the Redline Link 5.1. I am interested in how it compares to the others on the list, with the two Eastern's being top contenders or others that you may recommend. All opinions are welcome and all replies are greatly appreciated, as I know that it's you guys who ride every day who know the real quality of today’s gear. I just want him to get the best bang for the buck, not have a geek bike that will be snickered at when he's riding with the gang, and something that will last and be dependable.

Thanks for reading and replying!

Sincerely,

Keith Hill
Apex, NC

wethepeople

The general consensus around here is the Six Pack and most recently the Stolen Wrap. Although you have chosen some nice bikes there, (other then the Fit, in my opinion it's garbage for having a a gas pipe rear end instead of full 4130). The DK's are very good all around bikes, my only complaint with them is the hubs, I have three broken DK Macho hubs in the garage right now. Other then that it is solid.

The Stolen Wrap is another good bike (so it seems, it's pretty new and only time will tell component wise, but the frame is solid).

The Fit is the worst bike on your list, it would take me a weekend of riding and I could kill it, some people even less.

That brings it down to the Element and the Addict, which are the best choices on your list in my opinion. The Element has better parts, but it also may be a bit big for your son (it has a 20.75TT) It also may not be the best choice if your son likes to leave his bike out in the rain due to the gaping holes eastern has cut in the seat-tube (same goes for the sequence). If my bike was stolen tomorrow, I would probably end up with a WTP Addict, it's another very solid bike, it's smaller, it's cheaper, it has a full 4130 frame with no holes and it still has a cassette hub.

Finally, the LINK. It's not a bad bike if it's all you can get but it is by no means better then any of those. It has a full 4130 frame which will hold up, but it also has bigger gearing and weighs 2-3lbs heavier. Weight that is not needed in such a bike.


I don't know how much sense any of that made, I'm really tired and it's time for bed.

Also, for the other posters, I like the grim reaper frame, it's grown on me like a fungus...

KinetikBiker

DK Six Pack has my vote.

Keith Hill

Thanks for all your comments, here’s where we are today:

I have created a spreadsheet of the top 20 bikes we were recommended to us either by local dealers, online forums, or online store representatives.

Please click on the link below to see the side by side comparison of all dirt jumper/trail/street 20” BMX bikes in the $300-$450 price range:

https://mcconnellconst.com/Keith/BMX-Bike-Comparison.pdf

At this point, our top five contenders based on specs alone are:
1) 2Hip Playboi
2) Hoffman Disrupter IL1
3) 2Hip Soul
4) Fit Pro
5) DK Six Pack

For those of you who have ridden more than one of the above, can you offer a comparison of your likes and dislikes? Also, for anyone who is familiar with each bike, will you list anything not currently disclosed about the rest of the components (seats, seat posts, handle bars, stems, pedals, grips, brakes, etc.) that you either really like or dislike? All of your comments have been very helpful and greatly appreciated; it really is nice to see many still passionate about BMX!!

Thanks again in advance!

Sincerely,

Keith Hill
Apex, NC

Stiggermein

FitRider 921 should be able to thoroughly dissuade you from considering #4.

wethepeople

Fit pro is horrible, I still vote for the Sequence.

The Playboi isn't bad either.

minichamp31

Go for the Playboi, that bike is awesome. And no one ever reccomends it.

FuzzyRyder

Yeah, the playboi is probly your best bet.

wethepeople

I'm changing mine to the playboi.

KinetikBiker

I suppose i agree as well.

gnr rocker

playboi

eightdip

Playgirl