Recommendations for a new BMX?

[Neil]

I thought and posted about this previously, but in the end he still got some more usage out of his Islabike, but now it's getting to the point where he's close to having outgrown it.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a decent BMX - for a 9 year old boy. He's not currently drawn to doing any true BMX type riding (jumps, ramps, tricks or anything like that) I think he just likes the styling and simplicity. Must have both brakes (I know feck all about BMXs, really) because he might well do a bikeability thing with it.

He currently has an Islabike Beinn 20 (small), and I think still finds gears a bit of a faff - not entirely sure whether it's mostly that, or I suspect he likes the look of a BMX more - I have given him the choice and asked him what sort of bike he wants, and that's what he's asked for

So looking for decent quality, nothing hugely expensive - he's not going to be racing or serious about it - but then nothing that isn't decent, either - I want something that's decent enough, has reasonable quality components. Haven't made my mind up on a budget, wanted to try and get an idea on what sort of cost a decent one would be.

Looking to buy new, don't want secondhand. My rationale, so far, with kids bikes - which has served me well - is buy a decent bike, and it tends to still be in pretty good condition for his younger brother, which has / will work out just fine with the first two bikes so far (Ridgeback MX-14 and Islabike Beinn 20).

Doesn't matter if it's last year's model / range - neither of us are that clued-up about them that we'd realise.

So... what's half decent?

 

[benjy]

had a few blank bikes in they seem ok for the money, sunday do some nice ones to, look at the mafia bikes they seem cheap but dont know how good they are

 

[Neil]

had a few blank bikes in they seem ok for the money, sunday do some nice ones to, look at the mafia bikes they seem cheap but dont know how good they are

Any recommendations for particular models?

Also - what sort of money should I be spending for a thoroughly decent - albeit not particularly serious - BMX (new). By that I mean I want a decent bike that will last, not fall apart, be a reasonable balance between strenght and lightness, have components that aren't made of cheese, and will adjust without making me turn to the dark side of the force.

I know little about them, really, it wasn't something I ever got into in my youf - I'd provisionally thought about £250 should get me something decent enough - that sound about right? I think his Islabike was something like £220-230.

He just wants a bike to ride around on - likes the look of BMXs, don't think he wants the hassle of having to think about gears (like on his current Islabike), and I want a bike that's decent enough that will last, not fall apart, not make me hate it, and hopefully still be just as servicable for his younger brother in a few years time.

 

[Neil]

Narrowed it down to 2 or 3, I think.

I didn't mean for me to lean towards Diamondbacks - I didn't start looking with that intent, but somehow they've found me. There's one with 24" (Equal 24) - which I like the idea of 24" wheels for him - think it may be a nice balance between the BMX look and feel, and a bike that can get around a bit - especially given his current Islabike has 20" wheels.

The other models I've seen are also Diamondbacks - but are full 4130 frames and forks (even heat treated main tubes, apparently) - but are 20" wheels. I suspect the Equal 24 is hi-ten throughout. But still seem to be quoted as the same weight as the Equal 24 with bigger wheels, and what I assume is a hi-ten frame (I know the forks are, but it doesn't mention it being anything else, so I suspect is fair comment).

I'm leaning towards the 24" wheel one - because I think that would be nice balance of things, and since it doesn't appear any heavier - but then I've always been more inclined to go with the better frame - which means 20" wheels but with no apparent weight advantage. There seems more use of hi-ten in BMXs than I thought I'd see at this sort of price point (200-300 quid).

 

[rosstheboss]

One word of advice - if you're are buying at the cheaper end of the spectrum try and avoid the microdrive style drivetrains. The rear sprocket is so small it makes the bearings on that side absolutely tiny and they destroy themselves quickly - I'm just about to replace the rear wheel on my stepson's bike for the second time - the bearings were so rough and the races so poor it couldn't be fixed!

For the record his bike is a Ruption Thrust (sounds painful)

 

[Neil]

Ordered one, now - a Diamondback Element - full chromoly frame and forks (heat treated), 20" wheels. Not sure how the satin purple paintjob will suit him, but he'll just have to trust my judgement. If nothing else, when it gets passed down to his younger brother, he'll love it.

Ross: it does appear to have the microdrive sized / toothed drivetrain - I did listen, but they all seemed to have them, at least all the ones I looked at in roughly the price range I'd selected. This seemed / sounded the best frame and forks for that sort of money. Getting one with 24" wheels and a full chromoly frame and forks looked like it would cost quite a bit more.

 

[rosstheboss]

Keep a pretty close eye on it, the first time it happened my lad came up to me one day saying his wheel was rattling! I probably could have done something if I'd known sooner, the second time it had been left outside for months and generally abused... Can't win with kids sometimes!

 

[Neil]

Keep a pretty close eye on it, the first time it happened my lad came up to me one day saying his wheel was rattling! I probably could have done something if I'd known sooner, the second time it had been left outside for months and generally abused... Can't win with kids sometimes!

Will do - thanks for the advice.

I'll make sure it doesn't have to brave the elements, though - it'll probably live in the garage.

His first two bikes have faired well, really. He hasn't abused them, and the only marks or scratches on them are probably what I've done moving them around / putting them in the boot of the car. So as a result, haven't had to buy different bikes for my youngest, so it's been worthwhile buying half-decent ones.

I listened to him, though, and what he wanted - my natural choice would have been to buy him a bigger Islabike - or perhaps some other decent small MTB. And when he gets older, I'll probably build up a retro one for him. But when I asked him what sort of bike he wanted, that's what he said, I asked him whether he would like a mountain bike, but he'd decided he wanted a BMX. Doesn't matter to me whether it's because that's what he's seen other kids with, if it means he rides it, and hopefully he likes it, it's the one for him.

ee's a good lad, really!

 

[benjy]

glad you found one. the chaps right about the small casette hubs. good ones run sealed bearings ect. most bmxs seem to run them now. i think alot of problems are down to not looking after them. cheap ones poor seals ect like anything look after it an it will last longer. if hes not into doing all the skate park stuff ect it will be fine