DeeCIndy

Thanks for any help you can give... I've been shopping for a BMX bike for my 11 year old. He's kinda tall, but normal weight and new to BMX.

My budget is 200-280

At the bike shop he tried a Joker (too heavy) and a GT Compe and I think a Redline Slam. But he liked the feel and ride on a Redline Single X, he also liked a Haro F3.

He wants lightweight, but it needs to be strong enough to take the beating he's probably gonna give it.

He will use it as a street bike, skatepark bike, probably try some freestyle tricks on it... and may even jump dirt someday, but he's so new at it.. he doesn't really know what he wants.

The Single X is advertised as a bike for street, wood or dirt (I think). Should I be looking for an all-purpose bike like this one? I have some concerns about the Redline brand. Is it a glorified Walmart bike?
Why was the bike-shop owner sure we'd want a Joker when it's so heavy?

I'm reading that 3 piece cranks and rims are important? Does the Single X have this?

Thanks!

pnj

He's eleven, so he will be growing and learning at the same time. I wouldn't worry about weight of the bike. Actually, I would think heavier would be better as it would probably hold up better to a young kid.

Three piece cranks are NOT needed for a beginner.

Keep in mind, what a pro or even an experience rider would use is/can be, far different from what a beginner needs. For now, what your son needs is a bike that fits him. That is about it. Let him get used to riding that, then decide what parts to upgrade as he gets better.

As for the Redline brand. redline is a good company. the hardcore kids may not like the brand, but for your son, they make great bikes. They actually started in BMX in the 1970's. I'm sure whatever they are selling now will work just fine for your son.

Hope that helps, ask again if you have any more questions.

pnj

ok, just looked at the single X on the redline site. it looks fine for a younger kid. it may be too large (the top tube is 19.5 inches.) but you said your son was big so...
also, he will grow so better to buy a bike that he can grow into then have to replace it soon.

the bike does have 3 piece cranks but not all 3 piece are the same. the ones on that bike would not hold up to an advanced rider but if it makes your son happy to know he has 3 piece cranks, then that's good. they should work fine for him.

by the way, my first bmx bike was a redline, in 1982

bmxinvasion

Dear Dee Cindy, if he is taller than 5 feet I would recommend a 20 inch wheel bicycle. I see the single x is a 16 inch wheel as shown on the redline web site unless you were looking at a mega x whick would be a 20 inch. It is a very nice ride and all terrain.I myself would look into a "fit" complete one of the hotest selling bikes on the market and they offer a couple of models and a pro for $299.99 To step it up to the preffered goodies like 3 piece cranks and better parts,- AL-

sxe fbm rider

I have to agree.

pnj

https://www.redlinebicycles.com/modul.../xs/single.htm

I don't see where it says it has 16 inch wheels....

BMXTRIX

The first rule of bike buying is that under about $350.00 you are really going to get nothing more than 'entry level' for your money, and you should not let the cash go to cheap enhancements that do nothing for the quality of the bike.

So, for your last question: 3-piece cranks must be GOOD 3-piece cranks... and good 3-piece cranks cost no less than $120.00. So, you will never find good 3-piece cranks on sub-$300.00 bikes.

You want rims (not mags) on the bike. If you look at the front wheel or rear wheel of the bike it will have a central hub, then 36 or 48 spokes from the hub that go outward and then the rim. The tire (with an innertube) sits on the rim. Is there something OTHER than rims? Well, yes - there are mags. Mags are typically made of a nylon/plastic material and look like they are one solid piece of plastic. They are very low in quality. The BEST rims are chrome plated rims with enough strength to handle some serious damage.

WEIGHT: If you son is not racing, weight is not an issue. I don't say this mildly... weight is the worst thing to look for on an inexpensive bike!!! When a bike weighs less it either is weaker, or is missing components. So, while you say you want the bike light, you also say you want it strong. Well, the lighter it is, the weaker it is. Kind of like some of the old American cars vs. some of the new small Hondas. Those old US vehicles will make the Honda explode if it runs into one because it simply is much more substantial.

But, you do need a balance between the two and there are many choices out there... weight should be between 31 and 35 pounds - at least UNDER 35 pounds - your son will adapt as weight increases.

Now, if you haven't looked online (www.danscomp.com) at some bikes like the DK Cincinnatti, then I suggest you give that a look. There are some very good bikes at better than bike shop rates available online. This scares some people though and I don't recommend it if you want all the services that your local bike shop (LBS) offers.

The Haro F3 comes with either rims or mags. You want the one with rims. You most DEFINITELY want the Haro over the Redline. The Haro includes much better frame design, and is slightly larger. It includes 4 pegs instead of 2 and has smaller gearing, as is much more common these days, unlike the Redline. The 3-piece cranks that are stock are 'adequate' but not much better than 1-piece cranks.

Redline, in my experience with them, have provided much lower quality bikes in the 200-300 dollar range than many other companies. Haro is right up there with some of the best companies on the planet in that price range, but their price can often be beat online - if you are willing to go online.

DK has some very good bikes.
The MOSH Brass 2 star gold at www.danscomp.com is $210.00 and is marked down from well over 300 bucks. It is a very good buy for the money.
The MOSH Lux 3 star removes 2 pegs and front brakes - but adds chrome plated rims (very, VERY good) plus a cassette hub and sealed hubs to make it an incredible buy at $260.00 - This bike usually runs near $400.00 I believe.

As shown - you have lots of choices, but at your price range, I would stay AWAY from Redline.

Tazz

i will be odd and disagree, the fit complete has a cheap imitated fit frame and realy isnt good. Asuming that your child will have this bike for a long time, even with normal wear and tear for a begginer can cause alot strai on the frame.

i suggest you look into a federal - foundation complete bike. These have the authentic and real federal frame. federal are realy for the shorter people and i think this would be a realy good starting bike. even when he grows up then it would still hold out. as for cranks and all that its a very good and strong set up https://www.alansbmx.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=50 that link will take you to a picture of it. its £300 a bit over your u.s dollar spending limit but would last alot longer!!

hope this helps

bmxinvasion

FEATURES : : Frame: ‘05 Trail Frame, Machined Headtube, Bi-Moly, Underside Brake Mounts and Shorter Rear Stays; Stem: Proline Aluminum 55mm Ext; Grips: Freaky X Pro XL Flangeless; Cranks: Proline Tubular Chromoly 170mm; Freewheel: NEW: ACS Main Drive 1/8” x 16T; Tires:

Kenda K-905.

COLOR: Black or Blue
single-x

bmxinvasion

sorry about that thats a 16 tooth rear cog...

Tazz

free whhel ill have you know, hahaha

Tazz

**freewheel*** not free whhel

pnj

16T it says. as in, the drive system has a 16 tooth freewheel. the next thing it says is, tires.

you can ride a bike, boy, but you still gotta learn to read.

pnj

haha, fast replier!

bmxinvasion

acs claw /freewheel I called it a cog .

Tazz

technically a cog is what you fit onto a cassette hub, a freewheel you screw onto a standard hub or flip-flop hub

bmxinvasion

I know its just that I'm so used to saying cogs because thats all I've ever used..

Tazz

ok

pnj

to young to remeber crappy bikes and bike parts eh?

todays bmx bikes are sooo much nicer to bikes of years gone by.

here is a picture from 1981. I remember this picture...

bmxinvasion

I think there is an old schooler here, send that pic over to my friend at www.bmxfreestyler.com
https://www.23mag.com/index2.php?page...us/bmxplus.htm

bmxinvasion

"remeber?" you said I need to learn how to read you need a spelling lesson.
nice to be human.

pnj

haha. yea....

i got an excuse though, I'm old!

edmej123

after reading how you respond so fully and stuff to peoples questions, you should just put all this information and such on what kind of bike a person should look into for age, level, etc... like a beginners guide to bmx, cuz it would be a lot easier to just direct them to your site instead of having to resopnd to every person that basically asks the same question. just a thought

DeeCIndy

Thanks a lot to all of you who responded. You've given me some good information which should allow me to buy a better bike for the money. Any other comments would be appreciated!

I know this question probably gets asked a lot (so I appreciate your patience) and I did read a lot of the BMX forum looking for info like this. I've also been looking for websites with reviews of bikes and have found some info here: https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/
Are there any other good review sites?

bmxinvasion

The latest copy of www.bmxplusmag.com has a test for the fit and also check out under the frames section on www.bmx-test.com