Riding bmx again
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Riding bmx again
Hi im in my early 30s, and got a custom Fit Series2 from an ex rider. I know this was a top tier frame in 2005, but I wondered what else I could find out about it. I would imagine it weighs in at around 25 pounds or so with all the parts.
Just kind of feeling my way back into it..trying to bunnyhop higher then 6 inches again.practicing my manual...trying to figure out if I really need 2 pegs on the left side.
I am 5'9 and 165 so this bike seems to really match me on size. I keep the seat slammed and only pedal standing up and sit to coast. You can not pedal seated on this frame even if the seat was higher..just how the geo is.
It's honestly more fun the my mtb...i can cruise to a parking lot and practice whatever. I know it will take me a lot of time, but if there are any tried and true things to work on first, please share.
I like ride down stairs on my mtb and have hit some stairs that lead to a jump on the BMX. Is this ok on a bmx tire and rim? I know the front shocks on the mtb make it smoother, but wasnt sure on the bmx. I have a Primo Hula Hoop and an arraya on the back. Oddessey 90 PSI tires.
EDIT: Worked on hops. I can easily clear curbs again from the ground. What is helped me is squatting low on the bike before lifting up the front and pushing forward. It also helps to have something to clear. the manuals will take more time. I still bail and can't control the wheel when it gets too high (i know i have to straighten my legs). I also am hitting 2-3 feet drops over and over and working on getting as much air as i can.
I love this fit bike..it's incredibly plush.
Just kind of feeling my way back into it..trying to bunnyhop higher then 6 inches again.practicing my manual...trying to figure out if I really need 2 pegs on the left side.
I am 5'9 and 165 so this bike seems to really match me on size. I keep the seat slammed and only pedal standing up and sit to coast. You can not pedal seated on this frame even if the seat was higher..just how the geo is.
It's honestly more fun the my mtb...i can cruise to a parking lot and practice whatever. I know it will take me a lot of time, but if there are any tried and true things to work on first, please share.
I like ride down stairs on my mtb and have hit some stairs that lead to a jump on the BMX. Is this ok on a bmx tire and rim? I know the front shocks on the mtb make it smoother, but wasnt sure on the bmx. I have a Primo Hula Hoop and an arraya on the back. Oddessey 90 PSI tires.
EDIT: Worked on hops. I can easily clear curbs again from the ground. What is helped me is squatting low on the bike before lifting up the front and pushing forward. It also helps to have something to clear. the manuals will take more time. I still bail and can't control the wheel when it gets too high (i know i have to straighten my legs). I also am hitting 2-3 feet drops over and over and working on getting as much air as i can.
I love this fit bike..it's incredibly plush.
Last edited by Bomb Komodo; 05-19-10 at 06:34 PM.
#2
Yeah. I Race.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northeastern PA
Posts: 2,888
Bikes: Custom Race, 2007 GT Bump, 2007 Gt Powerseries Pro, Dyno VFR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just keep practicing your hops and manuals, they're pretty much the most important things you learn for BMXing. And on the stairs thing, you should be fine with hopping down them, just make sure you clear them or your back wheel and possibly your face could be harmed.
#3
Senior Member
BMX was great back in grade school, but in your 30s, road biking is the better choice. First hit the gym for a few months, since you won't be able build any upper body to once you start road biking. Then, ride around 150-200 miles a week to get lean and ripped. The net gain will be lots of sex with various women, especially if you go to the beach a lot.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 438
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Man, BMX will actually get you pretty ripped pretty fast too. I ride a road bike, a fixie and a bmx, and log about 500 km or more every week. The road bike makes my legs jacked and the BMX keeps the rest in shape.
#5
Powerful-Ugly Creature
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 569
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Freestyle and BMX is a great full body workout. Probably only mountain biking and trials riding comes close, in the cycling world. I just started riding again last year, also in my early thirties. I'm not much on street riding, though. I'm not getting quite the upper body workout, you are.

The pavement, it devours my soul. Only by setting 20" knobbies to dirt, can I recover it.
I'm continually amazed that for all bicycle related knowledge on these forums, people continue to be ignorant of the fact that BMX bikes are made in adult sizes. It's not just a kids' sport!

The pavement, it devours my soul. Only by setting 20" knobbies to dirt, can I recover it.
I'm continually amazed that for all bicycle related knowledge on these forums, people continue to be ignorant of the fact that BMX bikes are made in adult sizes. It's not just a kids' sport!
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. I sure feel it burn when I ride, but I have been logging 3-5 miles minimum on the BMX weekdays and 10-20 on the MTB on weekends. I feel like the BMX has made me a much better MTB rider. The MTB can spoil you with the shock and the BMX just punishes your wrists if you don't nail your landings clean.
Roadbiking is not my thing as I need air and I am well muscled. I only weigh 165 and was benching/deadlifting and squatting 300 so the muscles are there. Also, I have a hot GF so I don't need to have sex with a million girls to feel good about myself.
Biggest issue for me is that I slide off my pedals sometimes when hopping. I crouch and explode off the bike and can clear curbs and probably hop a foot right now, but I am still not sure if my technique is proper or not. I use the crouch and also pull up and push forward with my wrists. I see a lot of guys hop who do not seem to curl their toes and use their hamstrings to getthe rear wheel up so I am guessing I'm on the right track? I try to do it that way and almost eat it. I am also manualing ok..i can feel the balance point, but have only gone about 10 feet. I'd love to be able to do it in my sleep. Yet another great technique for the trails, like Bhopping.
Roadbiking is not my thing as I need air and I am well muscled. I only weigh 165 and was benching/deadlifting and squatting 300 so the muscles are there. Also, I have a hot GF so I don't need to have sex with a million girls to feel good about myself.
Biggest issue for me is that I slide off my pedals sometimes when hopping. I crouch and explode off the bike and can clear curbs and probably hop a foot right now, but I am still not sure if my technique is proper or not. I use the crouch and also pull up and push forward with my wrists. I see a lot of guys hop who do not seem to curl their toes and use their hamstrings to getthe rear wheel up so I am guessing I'm on the right track? I try to do it that way and almost eat it. I am also manualing ok..i can feel the balance point, but have only gone about 10 feet. I'd love to be able to do it in my sleep. Yet another great technique for the trails, like Bhopping.
#7
member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,751
Bikes: Solid AA
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
BMX was great back in grade school, but in your 30s, road biking is the better choice. First hit the gym for a few months, since you won't be able build any upper body to once you start road biking. Then, ride around 150-200 miles a week to get lean and ripped. The net gain will be lots of sex with various women, especially if you go to the beach a lot.