Bicycle will be for recreational use only. I'd like to spend $200-300.

I haven't owned or ridden a BMX in approx. 15 years. I don't know what brands are good anymore (back in my day, GT, Mongoose, and Diamond Back were state of the art...). What bike would you get for your kid?

Edit: he's about 4' 6", a full size BMX is pobably just a bit too big for him. I'm looking at the DK Tracer Expert (19" TT, 19.3 lbs.). Thoughts?

Thanks,
DR

The Tracer is a good bike but it is a race bike. You said it is for recreational use, what kind? Most would chose a freestyle for all around riding. The DK Cygnus $279.99, would be a good choice. A smaller bike would be the Opsis, it's a flatlander and only slightly over your budget at $329.99. Also check out the Verde bikes. Both brands are based in your home state of Ohio, always good to support local companies.

A Diamondback Grind (20" wheels") has an 18" top tube. You should be able to find one at a local bike shop for <$200. My understanding is that it is a well-built kid's bike.

Besides frame material (Chromoly vs Aluminum), what's the difference between a race frame and a frestyle frame? Twitchier geometry? Faster gear ratio? Something else?

He just wants a cool bike for riding around the neighborhood and the local bike trails. A hybrid of some sort would suit his needs, but he doesn't want an "old people bike." Personally, I don't blame him... I wouldn't have been caught dead on a Townie when I was 10.

Besides that, a good 20" BMX will last him a lot longer than some el-cheapo kid's bike. I only stopped riding my BMX when I traded it in for a 21" frame mountain bike, and even then, that BMX fit and ran just fine after many years of hard use.

DR

Main difference in geometry, is freestyle bikes tend to have shorter rear triangles. Gearing is roughly the same, but usually done with smaller gears on the freestyle, to keep the drive train out of the way during grinding type tricks. The freestyle bike will also have U brakes, rather than the race bike's V brakes.

If he's going to be riding it on trails, the freestyle bike might need the tires changed. I think most of them come with street specific tires. Of course, some of the race tires these days look more like street tires, despite being meant for use on dirt.

We sell bikes that have street and dirt versions. One example is the Subrosa Salvador. Of course you could change the tires pretty inexpensively if you found a street version you like. With most brands, the cheaper bikes will also have a shorter top tube length, but also are Hi Ten steel. There are many good bikes that will be perfect for him. Most of the time at my shop it comes down to the look of the bike 1st, 2nd is price, and quality last.