Anyone know anything about BMX?

Alrighty - had my 3 year old over at a pump track recently & she loved it, naturally I took a bike over too (29" hardtail) but it was a bit unweildy so I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap BMX for such outings - anyone know what to look out for? I know enough about road / MTB bikes but not a clue about BMX - don't want to end buying a shanner, we're all mildly obsessive about what bikes we're riding after all eh!

Cheers

Looking for a bike with 3 piece cranks instead of one piece probably means it’s a bit better quality. That said you do get 3 piece on some pretty cheap bikes these days. The lower end stuff would probably have a loose ball bearing bottom bracket so look for lock rings and the like and steer clear.

Gyros are often found on cheap bikes so getting one with a straight brake cable is a good idea. If nothing else it’ll make setting the brake up a lot easier.

Good call on the cranks - sticking to 3 piece gives me plenty to exclude, even if some of those are at the cheaper end it won't make much difference when I'm on my arse & it's cartwheeling through the air... should be something presentable for cheap out there on marketplace (Jesus I hate that place)

make sure it's got a mid or euro BB to go with those cranks, no one wants to be dealing with a loose ball USA BB, the bearings last like 5 mins.

I know every time I try it I end up hurting myself.

Yeah there’ll be something out there for you. I just picked up this midschool beast for a bargain, had to drive up to bridge of Allan to get it but just made a wee trip out of it and took the missus.

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Found one - a charity bike workshop in Renfrew was selling a couple that had been donated, United something or other, great nick & wearing 2.1 tan walls, paint is flat matt black so it's a prime candidate for a home makeover too, what paint have you been using on your frames - spray bike or rattle cans?

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Looks great.

I’ve done a couple frames in brush on paint and one with graffiti crackle rattle can paint.

Aye it'll do the job - the job most likely being sending me to a&e but never mind... might try and pick up a clear coat with a metallic flake through it, the paint finish is like a blackboard, might even give my 3 year old some paint pens & see how that works out

Is that a Federal? one of my mates was into BMX & used to rave about them when the dirt jump scene was big

Yeah it’s a T-Nez. From the days when things were built to last! Just saved over a kilo swapping a more modern wheel set on there.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABD-King-Pin-Kingpin-BMX-Bike-Ruby-Red-20-Inch-Vintage-bicycle-/224219148242?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Imma thinking about offering on this to fulfil my pump track / skate park needs - First bmx since a redline 440 back in the 90s. anyone know if this is a good shout or not ? ABD seem to be an Aussie brand from a few yrs back - it’s 20.85 - I’m 5.11 .

Looks pretty good. Not a brand I've heard of but stuff like the cranks look like they're decent quality.

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