BMX help / recommendations

[siwil1]

As BMX riding started as I was finishing riding bikes I do not have a clue whats good or bad etc etc.

I hope this isnt as repetitive as what car threads !

I want to spend approx £150ish (+/- £25) on a bike for my 14yr old son am I better off looking second hand or it seems I can pick up new ones off the internet for this sort of price from Diamond Back which I seem to remember being a decent name back in the 80's!

It will be used for general riding plus our local park has some jumps which I'm sure it will be used on.

Any pointers will be greatly appreciated although I'm sure all the hardcore riders on here will be thinking not another what bike thread !

Thanks

Simon

[Andy OH]

Have a look on the Evans web site for a good selection of BMX. http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bmx-departme... Then do your research on the web. I recently bought a 'WeThePeople 4 Seasons' for my son and it was £129 cheaper than advertised by Evans.

BMX have moved on a lot over the past six years let alone the past twenty odd years when I had a few.....

Brands you should look at are:

Felt
Fit Bike Co
GT
Verde
WeThePeople

Best of luck and let us know how you get on...you could well spend a little more than you've budgeted

Edited by Andy OH on Wednesday 25th March 20:56

[anonymous-user]

diamond back are still worth a look, the raleigh brand has been refreshed over the last 18 months or so and they are producing some good bikes again. cant help with 20" wheels though but flick through some magazines in smiths and check the ads at the back for some good deals, might still get some 08 stock on sale...

[Mekon]

How tall is he? - BMXs vary in size

How heavy / clumsy is he? - they vary in strength (albeit at £125, you aren't going to get something bombproof)

What style of riding is he planning on doing? - you say jumps - do you mean trails (packs of dirt jumps), a track, or a skate park - different bikes for each job.

If you go to a decent shop, they'll advise you. Also, if he's in any way serious, he will break loads of bits on a £125 bike. You may as well buy the bike at your local shop, as the goodwill that will generate will be more beneficial than the few quid you save on the internet.

[jsr]

I can recommend GT. I bought a GT Power Series Pro (£220) last summer to ideally get into racing. In reality, i probably wont race, but it is great fun to ride and very very fast. I like going out for a quick blast on it when i cant be bothered with the (relative) complexity of my mountain bike.

All the BMX's in GT's range are well worth a look.

[Mekon]

Notwithstanding the questions above, At a bit more money than you mentioned, I'd be looking at something like a Mirraco Black Pearl...grumble LBS...grumble Winstanleys have them for £220

http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/14021/MirraC...

[siwil1]

Mekon said:

How tall is he? - BMXs vary in size

How heavy / clumsy is he? - they vary in strength (albeit at £125, you aren't going to get something bombproof)

What style of riding is he planning on doing? - you say jumps - do you mean trails (packs of dirt jumps), a track, or a skate park - different bikes for each job.

If you go to a decent shop, they'll advise you. Also, if he's in any way serious, he will break loads of bits on a £125 bike. You may as well buy the bike at your local shop, as the goodwill that will generate will be more beneficial than the few quid you save on the internet.

Hi Guys thanks for all the responses so far in answer to above..

He is about 5ft 6in weighs 9stone and is athletic not clumsy. It is primarily a bike for going to the park on he is not planning a career in BMXing ! our local park has dirt jumps which he will inevitabley ride over along with a skate park (ramp).

I know for that sort of money its not going to be brilliant but just want to get something suitable and as decent as poss so of course turned to the PH font of knowledge as you do !