[Biking and BMX] BMX - Diamondback Assault. Any good?

azriel · 11th April 2006, 2:28pm

Steve's just managed to pick up one of these for next to nothing - Does anyone know much about BMXes, could mabey post in here please, tell him what he wants to do to it to bring it up to good spec?
Needs new tyres apparently, so what's he looking to get there?

Anonymous · 11th April 2006, 2:37pm

LOL at the posting-by-proxy...

darth_haggis · 11th April 2006, 2:39pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous

LOL at the posting-by-proxy...

"hello...attention please ... I was abused as a sheep"

Sebb™ · 14th April 2006, 4:39pm

Dump it, Diamondback bikes are shit.

If you decide to keep it though, get Maxxis Holy Rollers tyres. They're a tenner each at www.chainreactioncycles.com and are good for dirt and street.
It'll probably have crap one-piece cranks too, so upgrade to 3-piece cranks, like Gusset Pigmys (£110) or DMR Chieftains (£150) before the stock ones bend or break.
New pedals would be a good idea too. I love DMR V8 (loose bearings, £20), but the V12 pedals (sealed bearings, £40) are even better.
Your handebars and stem will probably be quite weak too, but I can't recommend a pair coz I don't know how big Steve is, and handlebar/stem choice varies from person to person anyway. Go to Westend Cycles and try some out.

To be honest, you'd be better off getting a decent frame and forks then upgrading it. Good luck!

Blood Clot · 14th April 2006, 4:52pm

So jus buy a new bike aye? lol

Sebb™ · 15th April 2006, 9:33am

Maybe, but you won't get the best parts or the parts that suit you without building it yourself.

Rev Scapegoat · 15th April 2006, 9:52am

I'm back

I'm getting the bike for free, and have ~£0 budget for upgrades.
All I want is something I can go to the shops on, but still take up to the local BMX track for a few simple jumps if the notion takes me.

( I actually HAD a decent bike from West End Cycles a few years back... A Matt Hoffman one the guys customised for me.
Ended up useless for commuting though, and I had to trade it for a mountain bike.
Which was effectively stolen by a piece of shit I used to call a mate. Meh. )

But aye - Maxxis Holy Roller tyres, then?
Best ordering online, or getting my arse to Partick?

Sebb™ · 15th April 2006, 9:57am

Get them from www.chainreactioncycles.com, they're cheaper. Have fun trying to jump it, Diamondback BMXs are designed for kids to ride, not for adults to jump.

Rev Scapegoat · 15th April 2006, 10:04am

Fair enough.
It'll do me for shops runs, though...

Sebb™ · 15th April 2006, 10:06am

Should do, but you'll look hilarious on it if you're over 5'10"

It's weird, Diamonback BMX frames are crap but the MTB frames are actually quite decent.

**edit** It should be pointed out that I'm talking about the UK bikes. Diamondback USA do some great BMXs.

Rev Scapegoat · 28th April 2006, 10:21pm

Umm...
What's the difference between:

20 x 1.75 Wire 70a
20 x 1.85 Wire 70a
and
20 x 1.95 Wire 70a

And how do I tell which tyres I need for my bike?

Since having had a look at the frame, I WILL be able to use it, at least for quick shops-runs.
(It's wee enough I can easily stash it in the shed when not using it, but still get in to my AS gear without too much clambering

)

Rev Scapegoat · 28th April 2006, 10:23pm

Or, what's the cheapest BMX available off the peg that you'd recommend? ( Being that my birthday's coming up, and I have nice grandparents

)

I'm 6' , and currently weigh about 15 stone.

Sebb™ · 29th April 2006, 6:37am

20x1.75 means the tyre is 20 inches in diameter and 1.75 inches in width. Wire means it's not a folding tyre. 70a refers to the tyre compound, the higher the number the harder the tyre.
Go for the 20x1.95 seeing as you're a big guy.

Gimme a day or two to recommend a bike, I haven't been seriously into BMX in a while. Be warned though, you will be looking at £300+, and you'll still want to upgrade it.

Rev Scapegoat · 29th April 2006, 10:53am

Cheers for that.
I looked on that site, and there were a few for under £200...
Bear in mind this is mostly just for pootling around with Morgan, going to the shops and for the very occasional possible trip to BMX parks and the like if and when I ever have time to do so.
It's a "starter bike".

I'd be up for dropping serious cash on it if I was doing it seriously, but for now I just need something that's not a COMPLETE piece of shit.

0x21 · 29th April 2006, 11:07am

if its just for scooting about in whats wrong with a shiter of a bike? its not going to be getting much abuse...