BMX build for adult, advice please
Discussion
Maybe not the right forum but will ask anyway. I want to build a cool bmx for a nephew who is 6ft tall. It mustnt be one of those where the seat is super low but more like a bike from the 80's so if I am guessing right then 24'' frame, or not. It needs to be something with some cool appeal and great cred, 21st birthday present so will be with quality parts for long term ownership.
I know of some brands like Skyway, Haro, WTP etc but would apppreciate some views, thanks
I know of some brands like Skyway, Haro, WTP etc but would apppreciate some views, thanks
Skyway has released some new frames using their original teardrop tubing. There's 20 and 24 inch wheel options with v-brake mounts but you need to check availability of the fork with brake mounts.
They have been built with more modern geometry.
One of those with the anniversary graphite wheels, a Redline crank and some period components would make anyone happy but you'll be up for £1200 to do it properly (I built a 20 inch version not too long back).
They have been built with more modern geometry.
One of those with the anniversary graphite wheels, a Redline crank and some period components would make anyone happy but you'll be up for £1200 to do it properly (I built a 20 inch version not too long back).
What is he using it for?
BMX Bikes are for adults anyway, not kids, so any 21" top tube bike should be fine. The low saddles are irrelevant as you don't sit on the seat of a bmx, you stand up to ride it.
A 24" wheel bike might be better if you're concerned about size, but cruisers don't really do it for most people that like bmx's, so make sure that's what he would want.
BMX Bikes are for adults anyway, not kids, so any 21" top tube bike should be fine. The low saddles are irrelevant as you don't sit on the seat of a bmx, you stand up to ride it.
A 24" wheel bike might be better if you're concerned about size, but cruisers don't really do it for most people that like bmx's, so make sure that's what he would want.
He likes the retro look and although he would like a cruiser something like a Felt you cant get the really nice ones from the USA, Felt doesnt allow their dealers to send outside the country.
He would be using it for mainly riding about, no trick riding or racing. Cruisers tend to be pretty heavy but he is pretty set on a BMX but I need to decide as its a surprise what he will get.
He would be using it for mainly riding about, no trick riding or racing. Cruisers tend to be pretty heavy but he is pretty set on a BMX but I need to decide as its a surprise what he will get.
Do you realise that a cruiser is a big bmx, not necessarily a gas pipe beach cruiser?
A decent cruiser will be plenty light enough, otherwise they wouldn't race them. Stay away from the crap ones, and anything with a high tensile frame and it should be light enough.
If he just want something to ride around on it doesn't really matter what you buy as long as it's light, no bmx or bmx cruiser is suited to that because they're not designed for high saddles or just riding around on.
A decent cruiser will be plenty light enough, otherwise they wouldn't race them. Stay away from the crap ones, and anything with a high tensile frame and it should be light enough.
If he just want something to ride around on it doesn't really matter what you buy as long as it's light, no bmx or bmx cruiser is suited to that because they're not designed for high saddles or just riding around on.
Id probably argue that something like this would be useful, but it's not really a BMX.
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2013/Bikes_Klunker....
To someone like me, I'd see it as properly cool, but those not in the know might just think it's crap.
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2013/Bikes_Klunker....
To someone like me, I'd see it as properly cool, but those not in the know might just think it's crap.
Have a look at cmc4130's suggestions on this page, one of them (but from this year rather than 2010!) will probably be perfect!
http://m.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid...
http://m.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid...
AlmostUseful said:
Have a look at cmc4130's suggestions on this page, one of them (but from this year rather than 2010!) will probably be perfect!
http://m.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid...
thanks have seen some of these before, will look again. http://m.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid...
I have had a few cruisers recently and know them inside out,so i do what what i am looking for, i just havent had anything to do with bmx's since the 80's as i used to race so i am a bit out the loop. I would have no issue getting a good cruiser but my nephew is set on an old skool bmx
Btw love the pic of the girl on the Skyway, from the earlier post, nice
Edited by seadragon on Sunday 1st February 13:21
Edited by seadragon on Sunday 1st February 13:24
seadragon said:
Btw love the pic of the girl on the Skyway, from the earlier post, nice
Eva Gabrielle. Google without safe search. Significantly breaks the "half plus 7" rule but rules are meant to be broken (even in dreamland).A while back I thought I'd cost-up a 24" Skyway as I really fancy one. I found the 20" TA I built a few years back simply too small for the fat 40-something I've turned into, and sold it to buy a hardtail MTB. But now that I'm a bit fitter (no less fatter though) I find myself looking at them again wondering if the 24"er might be just that bit big-enough that I could ride it without my knees being around my ears.
I'd want one with front brakes though. PlanetBMX had a good number of the forks made with the lugs for brakes and about 12 months ago they still had some - they're not nearly as popular so I would not be surprised if they had some left even now. They had taken them off the website even then but acknowledged availability in an email.
Prices of the f&fs have gone further down recently - I guess people realise that a CroMo f&f is quite a bit heavier than a modern one - but since they introduced the 50th anniversary graphite wheels with the old-style hubs, the increase in the price of the wheels more than offsets the reduction in the f&fs.
You're looking at about £1200 to build one with all the top-shelf kit.
What you can't *readily* get is the old Oakley B1B grips or the Skyway "pro" brake blocks. Skyway seems to believe the kool-stop "blacks" are better blocks these days (although the old "pro" blocks were way cooler with their faux cooling fins) but there's nothing as cool as the B1Bs. Oakley issued an extremely limited number of new B1Bs in 2010 (I think) but there's none about now, unless you're prepared to haggle with a collector, and he'll need a lot of persuasion.
Last year I bought one of the Kuwahara ET 30th anniversary re-issues, pretty much an exact copy of the 1980's bikes. Had to put a laid back post on it but its fun to ride by the sea along side my son on his Haro.
There are still a few of the blus and red KZ01 re-issues about if you want true retro looks, not cheap but less than a self build Skyways and full chromo with Araya rims etc. Red one here http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/56817/Kuwaha...
Have you looked on Alans BMX?
http://www.alansbmx.com/105/bikes.aspx
There are still a few of the blus and red KZ01 re-issues about if you want true retro looks, not cheap but less than a self build Skyways and full chromo with Araya rims etc. Red one here http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/56817/Kuwaha...
Have you looked on Alans BMX?
http://www.alansbmx.com/105/bikes.aspx
I've got two Skyway TAs. an original 1983 which sits as a display item and a 2013 xl frame which I bomb around the local track on with my son and I got from the skyway group on facebook for £500 as fully built bike with modern components.
they can get quite expensive, one guyis asking £2500 for his totally mint Skywway TA at present.
my old one
my "new" one
they can get quite expensive, one guyis asking £2500 for his totally mint Skywway TA at present.
my old one
my "new" one
Edited by Obiwonkeyblokey on Monday 2nd February 14:18
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff