Old Guy Bike Advice...

[b2]

So, i'm perusing the want ads here, and watching eBay and KSL.com. Since I don't think it prudent to persist in pummelling the poor 1988 Haro Sport on the track, preferentially I'd like to purchase a personal ride of my own... ouch, where'd that nasty attempt at alliteration come from.

Bottom line: i want to get me a 20"-er. I don't want to spent much cuz I don't know how serious I'll get--mostly want to have something to chase Lucas around on. So, if I throw out some bikes, will you brainiacs gimme advice? BITD I was a huge GT lover and only recently found out they're a Pacific Cycle unit--how much negativity does that bring to the name? are they still making some good bikes? if I go old enough, would it be better than more recent? Hopefully that's not a sore spot for anyone or opens a can o'worms.

Besides, what else are you going to do? Work? HA!!

Me: 33 yrs. 6 ft 0 in. 195-ish. Short legs, long body (i have this circus side show act i do around the office... NO, not where you're going with it)
Option 1: gt mach one bmx racing bike gt bmx bicycle mach 1


Option 2:GT Mach One Pro 1 Chrome Silver BMX Bike 20" Racing


Option 3: Redline Proline Pro Complete BMX Racing Bike

I wonder if this guy's used a camera before, let alone eBay.

Option 4:Redline Proline Pro 20 Complete BMX Racing Bike, 20"


Option 5:
I think i like this one best... do I need the length of an XL (or bigger? i think i'd like it but i've never ridden one)
redline flight pro xl bicycle


Option 6:
Haro, BMX, SX "comp"

You think this one will go for closer to it's $325 buy it now?

Option 7:
XXXL! Who DOESN'T want a bike with 3 Xs?
2004 Felt XXXL Aluminum Sector Team


Wildcard:
I know, it's a jump bike but it's darned cool looking! Change out the chainwheel and remove the gyro, add some dirt tires... that'd work, right? I just DIG that flat black!
2004 SE Racing MAULER PRO ABYSS BLUE DIRT JUMPER NICE

[1rustyflyguy]

If your looking for an all around good complete bike for the value, I would say an Intense your size should be a pro xl, that's just my opion!

[b2]

If your looking for an all around good complete bike for the value, I would say an Intense your size should be a pro xl, that's just my opion!

Good info... I'm not finding any where I've been looking, however. But my eyes are peeled...

[JAlvey]

If you like the intense (http://www.intensebmx.com), then performance bikes can get you one for about $350-$375 or so new[/url]

[b2]

If you like the intense (http://www.intensebmx.com), then performance bikes can get you one for about $350-$375 or so new

very good looking bikes and I've heard them to be nice rides... the best place to get them is??? I found on Dan's Comp the XL for $400.



I especially like the black.

[dajama5]

Performance Bike Parts. Heather and Ian will treat you right.

[greg]

If you're looking around the $400 mark, there are allot of options out there. I'd suggest looking around the track and riding a few. i'm sure most people will be glad to give you a chance to ride their rig.

intense is a good value, but then again, so is SE, Redline, GT, etc, etc. If you like the old school vibe and look, I'd suggest checking out the SE PK Ripper. Very well equipped at a decent price. GTs have always been a good value I think. I like the way they look, and really have not heard much (if any at all) negative about them. I wouldn't give it any thought about them being part of Pacific bikes, it's a non-issue I think.

Anyway, check out some bikes at the track, take a trip to a few bike shops (Golsans, Taylors, Highland, Staats Retail to name a few), and pay attention to componants. If budget allows, try to get the best wheels and cranks as possible. Sealed cartridge bearing good......ball bearing "sealed" systems mean "maintenance" system to me.

My last word of advice.....SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE DEALER whenever possible. Get in the shops, converse with them about BMX racing, and let them know that you appreciate them carrying racing bikes. If you go into Golsans or Hyland, let them know that you heard about them at Rad Canyon through their advertising there. Even if you dont buy from them, be sure to let them know that their support of racing is what drove you into their store.

[b2]

If you're looking around the $400 mark, there are allot of options out there. I'd suggest looking around the track and riding a few. i'm sure most people will be glad to give you a chance to ride their rig.

intense is a good value, but then again, so is SE, Redline, GT, etc, etc. If you like the old school vibe and look, I'd suggest checking out the SE PK Ripper. Very well equipped at a decent price. GTs have always been a good value I think. I like the way they look, and really have not heard much (if any at all) negative about them. I wouldn't give it any thought about them being part of Pacific bikes, it's a non-issue I think.

Anyway, check out some bikes at the track, take a trip to a few bike shops (Golsans, Taylors, Highland, Staats Retail to name a few), and pay attention to componants. If budget allows, try to get the best wheels and cranks as possible. Sealed cartridge bearing good......ball bearing "sealed" systems mean "maintenance" system to me.

My last word of advice.....SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE DEALER whenever possible. Get in the shops, converse with them about BMX racing, and let them know that you appreciate them carrying racing bikes. If you go into Golsans or Hyland, let them know that you heard about them at Rad Canyon through their advertising there. Even if you dont buy from them, be sure to let them know that their support of racing is what drove you into their store.

thank you, excellent info.

I do quite like the PK Ripper--I thought I read somewhere that a local shop was carrying SE? (edit: SE's site tells me that Golsan carries SE).

And I would much rather support the local dealers--especially since I like to get my hands on this kind of stuff before buying whenever possible. We went hunting gear for Lucas last weekend and ended up buying some odds and ends at a few different places... I've been to Hyland a couple times and purchased a couple different things there and have been to others, bought, browsed, or just found out where they were... you never know when you need to jet into the nearest BMX shop, eh?

Thanks again for the insight and advice! Keep it coming!

[shifter]

(edit: SE's site tells me that Golsan carries SE).

They do.

[awsm4]

Not so sure about the "SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP" theme. The unfortunate reality in Utah is that if its not MTB or Roadie our local bike shops don't have a clue. My first experience with a local bike shop and a race bike was a total joke. Got sold a trail/jump bike for my 7 year old son and when I returned it - after he tried unsuccesfully to ride a heavy much too large bike in a race - the "Bike Shop" was gracious enough to trade me out of the $500.00 trail bike to a $300.00 race bike and of course they kept the other $200.00. I would recommend supporting the bike shop that definately supports our local track, scene and riders and that bike shop is Performance Bike Parts. They may not have a show room with thousand of dollars in bikes, be it mountain, roadie or bmx but they always have the best interest of the riders and their parents in mind. Whatever you want they can get and they will provide you with the support and knowledge needed to WIN. Call Heather or Ian at PBP - 842-3885. I believe there is probably some proof to my arguement in the For Sale/Wanted section. It appears there may be a local rider that recently bought a race bike that is apparently the wrong size. I don't know for a fact but would be pretty safe in assuming that product was purchased at a local "Bike Shop" it was probably on the showroom and the customer probably had some cash burning a hole in his wallet. I am the worst "buy it now" guy out there but have learned it is better to ask first - order if necessary - and wait the extra couple of days to get it right the first time.

Adam

[greg]

Adam,
I totally understand your frustration with some bike shops, and I really do love and appreciate Heather and Ian doing everything that they do, but don't be so quick to lump all bike shops into your bad experience. I think we as consumers have gotten exactly what we asked for. Bike shops are very reluctant to stock racing equipment if there is no market for it. Their margins are very low and the bikes take up valuable floor space, just to sit there with no one to buy them. If we want local bike shops to support OUR sport, then it is up to us to show that there is a market for it. I buy stuff from PBP all the time, because I feel they provide a valuable service and I like supporting them, but I will not hesitate to go to Golsans, Taylors, Hyland, or Staats (and often do go to all of them) if I need something. I've built relations with owners and employees at both Golsans and Taylors, and I feel like I have really helped drive the BMX racing scene forward because of it. BMX racing NEEDS bike shops to carry racing equipment. There has got to be access for the general public to racing bikes.

As for the bike in the "for sale" section...if you've been around bikes and racing any length of time, you have to know that sometimes you just get something that isn't quite right for you. Sometime frame geometry can be not what you're used to, chain stays too long/short, bottom bracket too low/high, etc, etc. When it comes to racing bikes, there is NO way a shop or anyone else can tell you what will "fit" YOU. Granted, there are extremes.....obviously a 6'6" man is not going to like an expert size bike.......but for the most part sizing is just a generallization and will differ between manufactures. An expert size Supercross does not ride like an expert size Staats. This is exactly why I suggested giving some bikes a test ride, look at several different manufacutures, and then decide what is best for the rider. And even then, I can almost bet that the first bike will not match his/her riding style and comfort. It may take years to determine what geometry and sizing best fits a riders style, and then it can be an ever evolving thing as new skills and techniques are learned.

Oh, and as shifter said, Golsans does carry SE bikes. If you go in there, make sure you mention the billboard at Rad Canyon (like I mentioned before)...and it probably wouldn't hurt to ask for Scott Golsan, and tell him Greg sent you in

The main theme here really is just get a bike and get out there on the track, have some fun, and get involved in a great sport. You'll love it!

[Curtis Newkirk]

I 100% agree with Greg. We need the LBS's to drive people to the track. If we can get these guys on our side we will increase the rider base. After they get to the track then Performance is obviously one of the best options, but they have to get to the track first and that takes the LBS sending them there.

Hyland is a great example. Steve Goodman is a manager there, offers excellent service, and knows his BMX. He and his sister Jessica race BMX during winter (they race MX during our outdoor season). They also support the track and know they don't make much, if any, money from BMX. They are OK with this because they just want to get more people into cycling and have plenty of non-BMX business on their own. They also support a grassroots team which offers substantial discounts with the purchase of a jersey. No expectations other than to have fun. Plus, they are a family business and great people to boot.

Rad needs to get more LBS partners like Golsans, Hyland, and Staats. Historically, and like Greg said, BMX is not supportive of the LBS. the flip side is that the LBS is probably the main "point of contact" that people can find out about BMX racing. Sure, there are going to be some LBS's that want nothing to do with BMX, and they should be ignored, but the ones that are willing to support the market should be supported in return.

[b2]

I love how a thread can take on a life of its own...

and +1 to Greg's and Curtis' comments.

[awsm4]

I agree with both of you in that we need more support from the LBS driving customers to our sport, but I was under the impression here that one of our existing riders wanted some advice on where to get the best information out there about a bicycle purchase. I'm only trying to provide my opinion and personal experience with a LBS when I first got started. I've shopped at Taylors, Canyon, Bingham, Golsons, Hyland, Staats as well as 50/50 and the old Bike World, but only after knowing ahead of time what it is that I am looking for. There are great people behind lots of the LBSs - but what about the great people that dedicate countless hours to each and everyone of the kids at the track, the same people that often cannot race on a Thursday night because they are too busy fixing a kids bike before a main, the same ones that don't have kids of their own but treat each of ours like their own. The LBS has had 20 years of opportunity in Utah to support BMX and seem to have chosen not to. Most parents out there don't cruise to the local LBS to buy lil Timmy a bike - the go to Wally World and buy whatever they have - My opionion on the marketing side of all of this would shy away from the LBS as well - there are much greater fish to fry to increase rider count. Even the ABA has started tagging Wally World bikes to try to increase ridership. On a local level we need to take a note out of the Primary Sports book - hit up the county rec news letters, school news letters, even hold a sign-up at a McDonald near the track for a weekend - But enough of my soap box. For what its worth I highly value the opinion of Greg and Curtis and consider both of them to be friends - and would recommend to both of them - buy from PBP...

[b2]

it's been good discussion nonetheless and i'm not trying to minimize your input--i appreciate opinions from all angles.