Discussion
I've had all sorts of bikes over the years, from carbon rigid to full suspension MTB's and even a top end roadie. But I have an itch to scratch. I'd like a high end spec BMX for the odd bit of fun on the local jumps in our woods. Plus to trundle down the road to the shops now and again. A bike like this has various benefits, in that they don't take up much room indoors, are very minimal with not much to go wrong, plus of course they look rather cool and remind us of the 80's!
So what are the options of ride for someone 5'11" tall like me? I don't really want to have my knees up around my ears and look a total numpty! So I guess a decent long seat post is the order of the day. And perhaps a larger than average frame? Can anyone suggest some decent options please? Up to £1k for the whole build. Can be new or mint used.
I have heard KHE and Fly might be ok? Over to the experts....
ps
Also can people list their favorite top spec components, thanks!
So what are the options of ride for someone 5'11" tall like me? I don't really want to have my knees up around my ears and look a total numpty! So I guess a decent long seat post is the order of the day. And perhaps a larger than average frame? Can anyone suggest some decent options please? Up to £1k for the whole build. Can be new or mint used.
I have heard KHE and Fly might be ok? Over to the experts....
ps
Also can people list their favorite top spec components, thanks!
Edited by zagato on Thursday 23 April 21:33
If you've got more money than sense the new Yeti race frame is very nice, and reassuringly expensive for you. 
In all honesty though you’re wasting your money if you’re just going to ride it to Spar and hit the odd trail once in blue moon.
As for the seat issue, you’ll loose all street cred if you have a long seat post, you don’t really use the seat on a BMX other than to balance the bike a bit, most of the lads I ride with don’t run the seat more than an inch out of the frame, it’s not there to be sat on.
If good engineering is a turn on, and price isn’t too much of an issue a frame from Dialed Bikes and as many G-Sport bits as the budget allows would be my choice.
At 5’ 11” you’re not overly big so a 20.75” frame may be big enough but I’d go for a 21”
£1000 will build you the daddy of all BMXers but if someone came down our trails with that kit and couldn’t ride they would get laughed at, it would be a prime case of ‘all the gear, no idea’, from my experiences in BMX you don’t get any respect due to how deep your pockets are it’s how high you can go that matters.
In your position I’d go for a good pre-built bike and get learning.
Obviously if you’re actually really talented and flip whips over 20 foot sets are the norm, then go as bling as you like.
In all honesty though you’re wasting your money if you’re just going to ride it to Spar and hit the odd trail once in blue moon.
As for the seat issue, you’ll loose all street cred if you have a long seat post, you don’t really use the seat on a BMX other than to balance the bike a bit, most of the lads I ride with don’t run the seat more than an inch out of the frame, it’s not there to be sat on.
If good engineering is a turn on, and price isn’t too much of an issue a frame from Dialed Bikes and as many G-Sport bits as the budget allows would be my choice.
At 5’ 11” you’re not overly big so a 20.75” frame may be big enough but I’d go for a 21”
£1000 will build you the daddy of all BMXers but if someone came down our trails with that kit and couldn’t ride they would get laughed at, it would be a prime case of ‘all the gear, no idea’, from my experiences in BMX you don’t get any respect due to how deep your pockets are it’s how high you can go that matters.
In your position I’d go for a good pre-built bike and get learning.
Obviously if you’re actually really talented and flip whips over 20 foot sets are the norm, then go as bling as you like.
Edited by raceboy on Friday 24th April 10:34
MrDan said:
You considered 24"? I had a lovely haro for a while that I used to hit rampworx in liverpool on and the local trails.
I just found it allot easier to ajust to from a mountain bike
i woulsd second the 24" idea. going from 26 to 20 is a lot harder than you think and if you dont intend to race it then it might be more fun...I just found it allot easier to ajust to from a mountain bike
24" isn't a bad idea actually. 
I keep meaning to fix up my Floval Flyer as it's loads easier to ride on track, but harder to style
But why stop there....
SE 's new monster
Would love £1k of credit in Alans.....
Orangey lovelyness
I keep meaning to fix up my Floval Flyer as it's loads easier to ride on track, but harder to style
But why stop there....
SE 's new monster
Would love £1k of credit in Alans.....
Orangey lovelyness
Thanks for the replies.
Re: "All the gear..." Haha, true I guess. Mind you, back when I had a £3.8k s-works (which I got for 3) I used to do some rather fun jumps with. Yet people said "I can't believe your treating an expensive bike like that" ie, ripping it up and using it as intended!
Maybe the 24" might be ok in theory. However every one I've had a go on so far felt like it was made out of lead I-beams. I'm used to light weight yet strong rides. I don't want dead and lumpy.
Re: "All the gear..." Haha, true I guess. Mind you, back when I had a £3.8k s-works (which I got for 3) I used to do some rather fun jumps with. Yet people said "I can't believe your treating an expensive bike like that" ie, ripping it up and using it as intended!
Maybe the 24" might be ok in theory. However every one I've had a go on so far felt like it was made out of lead I-beams. I'm used to light weight yet strong rides. I don't want dead and lumpy.
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