[Biking and BMX] BMXers give me yer knowledge.

mini_dez · 3rd November 2003, 1:57am

hey. In have a bit of spare cash so I think im gonna buy a bmx. Trouble is- I know bugger all about bikes. I had a quick look around the internet and seen some bikes i like at a price i like too, namely a 'GT compe'.
just hopin you guys could gimme some feedback on this bike or recomend others for a complete beginner, cos I'm reading throught the features on the bike and I justn don't have a clude whit its talkin about....

cheers
adie.

Sebb™ · 3rd November 2003, 12:42pm

GT aren't very good. Go to West End cycles, ask in there. George always seems to know someone who selling something!
Even if you're just looking for a beginners bike, it's best not to go for the bottom of the range, coz it'll fall apart. I'm shit at helping people btw, so maybe best to asl someone else

*edit* Just noticed you said Compe. That's a racing bike, and racing BMXs are terrible for anything else. There too weak (coz racers want them light) and in my experience they have the wrong geometry.

mini_dez · 3rd November 2003, 6:08pm

one of my mates went into west end cycles, also lookin for a beginner bmx and the guy in there recomended a GT one, so they cant be that bad?
i never even knew you got racing bmx's...

anyone care to reccomend a bike for me then?

eddie finola · 3rd November 2003, 7:07pm

the new FEDERAL bike is a belter, its got the euro bottom bracket with the new federal 3 piece crank,48 spoke wheels with a 14mm rear axle and a 10mm front. it doesnt have a gyro or pegs but to be honest why try to run befor you can crawl?its the right geomatry for strret and parks as it has a short back end and probably a 20.5 top tube. the FIT SERIES ONE bike is good as well but i would say the FEDERAL bike is better.

speak to ian cos he knows his stuff,doubt he would reccomend GT cos west end havent sold them for about 6 years? and the comp aint a race bike but it is shit but what do you expect for £200.

i know a few people that use race bikes to ride street you just have to be a more smoother rider and dont expect to run pegs or frame stall cos the alloy frame wouldnt take it.

anyway go to west end buy a copy of ride magazine, check out web reviews and make your mind up what bike is the best for you.

Sebb™ · 4th November 2003, 12:59pm

I think a race frame might suit a smooth trails (I hate saying that! Trails are in mountains and stuff, bmxers do dirt jumps!!!) rider.

EvilLin · 4th November 2003, 9:06pm

dont get a bottom of the range anything cuz they usually steel and heavy as shit. id get a we the people (i say that but i ride a nirve). seriously we the people are the best i think the cheapest one that doesn't suck is the daredevil? cud be wrong tho, west end do them but. whatever u do don't get a trek. i rode one from the alpine bikes in townhead to the alpine bikes at st georges cross, it was hell, and i think it broke.

Sebb™ · 5th November 2003, 12:50pm

But you probably crashed it. Have you ridden your Nirve at all?

EvilLin · 5th November 2003, 5:33pm

yes, re the pm i just sent u im riding it to work. and tonight i will be riding it to the pub to sit about drinking water - woe is me - (severely hoping i don't bump in to anyone alc related who may shout bmx chik at me bcuz ITS NOT FUNNY!) i didnt crash the trek but (i did get lost in chinatown however) the pedals are plastic and so promptly broke, and the brakes dont work. even more than how normal bmx brakes dont work. and the seat isnt an alan key adjustment thingy so i had to whine until someone sorted it for me, due to my fear and loathing of spanners. eep! to recap, dont get a trek. i think that was my point...

Sebb™ · 6th November 2003, 11:18am

My Trek works fine. Not a BMX though so probably not relevant.

eddie finola · 6th November 2003, 6:00pm

most mountain bike companies that build bmxes dont get the just of it and build bikes that are substandard and only good for cutting about on.

take the white heap of shit(trek) ALPINE had in their window,bet that bike weighed about 8 ton.

the fuckin thing was too oversized for its own good and had a v brake where a u brake should have been.

specialized are the only mountain bike company in my opinion that know what they are doing when it comes to bmx. you just have to look at their team of pro riders to see that, and they let them have input into how the bike turns out.

EvilLin · 6th November 2003, 10:30pm

twas a piece of shite but didnt even treks dont hv v brakes , i should know i built enough of the shitty fuckin things. dont personally rate specialized but mainly cuz i dont think they look very nice. and that is important y'know. we the peoples look great tho!

Sebb™ · 7th November 2003, 12:22pm

Yeah, I love my Vegas, it's the only frame I've found with geometry I like. It is a bit on the heavy side, so I'm waiting for the Specialized 2004 bikes to come out, gonna have a look at them. Or maybe the Gusset 520 Dirt, which is mega light and very strong.

Galvatron · 9th November 2003, 4:13pm

im riding 3 different bikes atm,

a mongoose pro frame with alexi wheels (both 48spoke, double wall) and a one piece (i know, im poor)

also im riding a trials bike, tank frame, specialized 3 piece, breesa bars and stem, plasmapads and a 24tooth sprocket

and for my trails bike im runnin a specialized Hemi MX with holtzfeller cranks, and alexi double walls.

Tweez · 26th October 2004, 4:56pm

f-it series 1, top bike, then get 3 peace cranks on that bad boy ..good for starting oot

Largest of Gregs · 26th October 2004, 5:07pm

thats some good advice there

shame its a year late