Getting into BMX when over 40

[trails]

tobinen said:

Whole-heartedly agree.

What's the connoisseur's choice of BMX nowadays, if we ignore the old school 80s stuff?

Totally down to budget; cost no option get yourself a custom Standard but there are a lot of decent complete bikes for a first timer. I’d be browsing eBay for rigs close by and then use this thread for options. Can o’worms potentially though

[CoolC]

Thanks Chaps

I'm not worried about what I'll look like or what people think, and to be honest, from the lads I've chatted to when down the little local skate park when I take my 9 year old lad with his stunt scooter they are all chilled lads, happy to chat and encouraging.

As said I see it as a personal challenge to learn the basic tricks and see how it goes. I've semi-seriously challenged my lad to a competition to see who can whip first. Him on hos new scooter or me on my (not yet purchased) BMX.

I've been looking at local stuff on Ebay. WeThePeople and Mafia mainly, but don't know enough yet about which are good bad or indifferent.

[trails]

CoolC said:

Thanks Chaps

I'm not worried about what I'll look like or what people think, and to be honest, from the lads I've chatted to when down the little local skate park when I take my 9 year old lad with his stunt scooter they are all chilled lads, happy to chat and encouraging.

As said I see it as a personal challenge to learn the basic tricks and see how it goes. I've semi-seriously challenged my lad to a competition to see who can whip first. Him on hos new scooter or me on my (not yet purchased) BMX.

I've been looking at local stuff on Ebay. WeThePeople and Mafia mainly, but don't know enough yet about which are good bad or indifferent.

Sounds like you just need some wheels, wethepeople will do you proud, steer clear of Mafia

[CoolC]

trails said:

Sounds like you just need some wheels, wethepeople will do you proud, steer clear of Mafia

Cheers. I'll keep looking out for that bargain then.

[tobinen]

trails said:

Totally down to budget; cost no option get yourself a custom Standard but there are a lot of decent complete bikes for a first timer. I’d be browsing eBay for rigs close by and then use this thread for options. Can o’worms potentially though

Let's say under £1,000 and with a willing cycle-to-work scheme retailer.

[trails]

tobinen said:

Let's say under £1,000 and with a willing cycle-to-work scheme retailer.

Complete bikes are always a tough choice, traditional approach for BMX is to buy a frame and build your spec from scratch...but for cycle-to-work maybe one of these. They both feature removable brake lugs so you wont die


https://www.customriders.com/11398/products/kink-b...

https://winstanleysbmx.com/bmx-bikes/street-park-b...

[ehonda]

rufusgti said:

Lonboard Stuff...

Inspired by you, I've just ordered one to accompany my kids on their scooters as they prefer them to bikes. I'll be back when I've broken my hip and need my bed pan emptied.....

[tobinen]

trails said:

Complete bikes are always a tough choice, traditional approach for BMX is to buy a frame and build your spec from scratch...but for cycle-to-work maybe one of these. They both feature removable brake lugs so you wont die


https://www.customriders.com/11398/products/kink-b...

https://winstanleysbmx.com/bmx-bikes/street-park-b...

Hmm, not lookers are they? To me anyway. My old Skyway was built from scratch so yes, that would be preferred.

I'll have a search for a current Skyway or Eddir Fiola

[g7jhp]

Have a look at AlansBMX.com

I'd be looking at a Haro Freestyler



Surprised how heavy many of these bikes are for their size. I know they take a battering, but bigger MTB's are lighter.

[robinh73]

I built this a couple of years ago, loved it. Wanted to get one of the re-release Skyways a couple of years ago, but not sure what happened there. Seemed to miss out on it.

[idiotgap]

fesuvious said:

This is a brilliant thread

but... we need pics of dads on BMXs

[robinh73]

Sunset action shot (sort of) and the old girl with my mates GT. Good old times.

[trails]

g7jhp said:

Have a look at AlansBMX.com

I'd be looking at a Haro Freestyler



Surprised how heavy many of these bikes are for their size. I know they take a battering, but bigger MTB's are lighter.

Unless the geometry has been changed I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole...actually I just wouldn't touch that with a barge pole

If you want an old school brand then at least go with one of their contemporary products...

http://www.alansbmx.com/1649408/products/haro_2017...

[trails]

tobinen said:

Hmm, not lookers are they? To me anyway. My old Skyway was built from scratch so yes, that would be preferred.

I'll have a search for a current Skyway or Eddir Fiola

BMX evolution has stripped them of the bells and whistles and most are now super clean double diamonds. I think they look great

Skyway haven't made bikes for many years...flying banana knocked out a v limited frame and forks a few years back, probably all in non-ridden collections now

[tobinen]

trails said:

If you want an old school brand then at least go with one of their contemporary products...

http://www.alansbmx.com/1649408/products/haro_2017...

I like that Haro. I'd want some mag wheels though. Just watched the accompanying video - rad skillz!

[trails]

tobinen said:

I like that Haro. I'd want some mag wheels though. Just watched the accompanying video - rad skillz!

Enarson is an animal, stupid bike control and balls bigger than your average elephant!

[monkeychild]

This is my cruiser

[MysteryLemon]

Great thread.

I'm not as old as OP but recently got back into BMX at the age of 32 after last really riding as a teen. Been riding on weekends with my lad (who's into scooters) at local skateparks for around 8 months now and really enjoy it.

Wasn't really interested in building a custom bike so went complete and bought a Sunday Primer. I mainly went for it for the frame size and bars. The 20.5" top tube and 9in rise bars with top load stem give me a really comfortable ride for my height (5ft 9). It doesn't feel small to me at all thanks to the nice high bars.



I found a lot of cheaper complete bikes are aimed more for teens so suit a shorter height. Stuff like Mafia especially, unless you start looking at the higher end hitmain or superman, but then, for the money, there is better out there.

Took the lad and lass to rampworx in Liverpool the other week. Accidently jumped the 6ft spine thinking it was a box and absolutely st myself when I realised there wasn't anything to land on! .. didn't die so I'm happy haha. I'm certainly not the daredevil I was as a teen. All good fun though and no serious injurys yet!

[deadtom]

OP I sent you a PM about a bike you may be interested in.

meanwhile, this is a friend of mine who got into mountain biking at well over 40, and is loving every minute:

http://vickybalfourbikes.blogspot.com/

[meehaja]

I’m 36 and still ride sometimes, mostly with the kids. I can’t do many tricks anymore, but I’ve got good rhythm at the race track and it’s fun.

The key thing is 7 year olds think my bunny hops are wicked!