What BMX?

[WildCards]

My little brother has his heart set on a new BMX as his current Halfords tat fell apart in the summer. He's asked me for advice, but I know bugger all about BMX's. So, perhaps you guys could offer some advice.

He's 12, he's more interested in street cred than stunts, tricks etc. He's got a maximum budget of £200.

Suggestions.

[BOR]

I bought my 7yr old a Felt Base. Quality is quite impressive. My son loves it, but it is heavy. Should be findable under your budget.Recommended.

[Sir Jonny]

Chain reaction have some pretty good discounts on BMXs. Some from 200+ down to around 100. Check the wheel size though!!!!!!!

[WildCards]

Sir Jonny said:

Chain reaction have some pretty good discounts on BMXs. Some from 200+ down to around 100. Check the wheel size though!!!!!!!

Yeah cheers mate, I have seen what CRC have got, but I don't want Kieran to buy purely on price or colour of the paintwork, that's what he did last time. I just want to see how far his money can go really, whether it be a full price jobby, or a last season bargain.

What are good brands? what makes a good BMX? what is good kit?

[pastrana72]

there are some good deals about on BMX at this time of year as 08 models are in hence 07 reduced, just had a look in this months copy of rideBMX UK for you , and Winstanleys at www.winstanleysbmx.com have some good deals.

For example a good BMX complete in your budget would be the following,

fitbikeco AM 07 was £229.99 now £199.99, fit is a good bike company and very cool,

Haro Nyquist Two was £229.99 now £179.99, looks good solid bike,

a Company i have used and recommend is Alans at http://www.alansbmx.com/index.php

they have some good bikes in budget,

and www.BMX-Shop.com are quite good too and do some good deals,

and Hoffman Bikes do some great solid BMX completes in Budget, check out www.CUSTOMRIDERS.COM

so much choice of quality BMX for £200, but try not to spend less, you get what you pay for.

however i would not buy a BMX from Halfords, pricey, common, not cool and not very good range.

Edited by pastrana72 on Tuesday 23 October 20:43

[WildCards]

Cheers Pastrana, that's exactly what I was looking for. Top man.

[raceboy]

pastrana72 said:

Loads of good advice

Couldn't have put it better myself.
Only thing I'd add is look for a Cro-Mo frame as apposed to a Hi-Ten Steel one, it'll be stronger and a lot lighter, a lot of sub £200 bikes are steel, some are Cro-Mo front end, but there are a few full Cro-Mo ones out there.

Edited by raceboy on Wednesday 24th October 12:59

[pastrana72]

raceboy said:

pastrana72 said:

Loads of good advice

Couldn't have put it better myself.
Only thing I'd add is look for a Cro-Mo frame as apposed to a Hi-Ten Steel one, it'll be stronger and a lot lighter, a lot of sub £200 bikes are steel, some are Cro-Mo front end, but there are a few full Cro-Mo ones out there.

Edited by raceboy on Wednesday 24th October 12:59

True, good advice.

[Rod_M]

2-Hip, Haro and GT make some good bikes.....Avoid the low end models tho'

[moleamol]

I used to work at Alans and would definitely recommend them, if you want advice just give them a ring. I have heard horror stories about Winstanleys which is just up the road from me. They tend to have good deals but sometimes on ethereal bikes (ie they don't have them). If it's street cred he's after he'll probably appreciate a Wethepeople as they are a proper BMX manufacturer rather than cheapo make/ Check this one out. There is a decent GT on there for the same price but it won't have the playground kudos of a WTP.

[moleamol]

One quick addition, for the extra £30 this bike is a much higher spec if he was to take BMXing seriously. If he just wants the cool, I refer you to my previous post.

[pastrana72]

That KHE is SWEET.

[moleamol]

pastrana72 said:

That KHE is SWEET.

Top bike for the money, the spec is something you'd find on a complete custom only a few years ago.

[bilko2]

Hi
Might as well tag onto the end of this thread rather than start a new one.
Thinking of getting into bmx riding for fun and a bit more exercise really. i think i would be doing street?, or flatlands? let's face it, i know nothing of BMX's and these are just terms i picked up from a quick google. Looked at some magazines in WHsmith today but they seem to concentrate on the pros rather than the novice.

I would love to be pulling those half wheelies, hanging off the back effortlessly for a few hundred yard or hopping up onto 1 - 2 foot high levels. All the basic stuff. I am 37 yr's old and ride 12 miles a day to and from work and 5'7 so what frame size would i need?
Also, is this a good bike as it is at the top of my budget?http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/8621/FreeAgent_Team_Limo_Bike_2006
Or, what you recommend from the list of clearance bikes there?

I had a grifter and then a bomber when i was young so i know nothing about bmx bikes and terms, is there a good site you can recommend?

[pastrana72]

I can recommend Alans in wigan.

http://www.alansbmx.com/index.php

I have used them, they are good.

This is good, We the people / 4 seasons

http://www.alansbmx.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&...

[bilko2]

Cheers mate, but as stated my budget is £260 odd, hence the £260 odd bike that was £450 odd.

[308mate]

bilko2 said:

Hi
Might as well tag onto the end of this thread rather than start a new one.
Thinking of getting into bmx riding for fun and a bit more exercise really. i think i would be doing street?, or flatlands?

Watch this video repeatedly and report back in....ooohhh......3 weeks? We will want a full demo at the tennis courts of your choice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LTVhqHAdo 



ETA: 2:43 onward is my favourite bit.

Edited by 308mate on Tuesday 3rd June 00:30

[bilko2]

Cool, but you don't have to wear a hat do you?
LOL
There was i thinking about getting 1 foot of air over curb stones and pulling manuals...
Still, if i am to even get near a curbstone i need to know if the bike i suggested is any good and why so much off.
Thanks
Dude

[moleamol]

bilko2 said:

Hi
Might as well tag onto the end of this thread rather than start a new one.
Thinking of getting into bmx riding for fun and a bit more exercise really. i think i would be doing street?, or flatlands? let's face it, i know nothing of BMX's and these are just terms i picked up from a quick google. Looked at some magazines in WHsmith today but they seem to concentrate on the pros rather than the novice.

I would love to be pulling those half wheelies, hanging off the back effortlessly for a few hundred yard or hopping up onto 1 - 2 foot high levels. All the basic stuff. I am 37 yr's old and ride 12 miles a day to and from work and 5'7 so what frame size would i need?
Also, is this a good bike as it is at the top of my budget?http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/8621/FreeAgent_Team_Limo_Bike_2006
Or, what you recommend from the list of clearance bikes there?

I had a grifter and then a bomber when i was young so i know nothing about bmx bikes and terms, is there a good site you can recommend?

I stick by what I said in my earlier post. That KHE is very good value for money. You don't want the bike at Winstanleys, it's a race bike. Alans are good, I worked there for a few years on the mail order side so I know. Although they've probably crumbled since I left because frankly I am brilliant.

At 5'7 pretty much any standard frame on a complete bike will be fine, if you want a different sized frame you are talking about a custom build and North of £500.

[bilko2]

Thanks moleamo
So the blue one and grey are the same i'll have a think.
Ps
What is bb and is it an ally frame?

Edited by bilko2 on Tuesday 3rd June 00:53