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Mtn bike vs BMX bike

woodsguy

gets infinity MPG
Mar 18, 2007
1,083
1
Sutton, MA
What are the advantages of dirt jumping a mtn bike vs a bmx bike? I would think the bmx bike would be easier to maneuver so why do people jump mtn bikes?
 
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Dirtjumper999

Turbo Monkey
Feb 13, 2005
1,556
0
Charlotte, NC
Everyone is going to have their argument about both. But I think it all comes down to personal preference. I find that 26 rolls much faster and is more versatile if you want to ride something a bit different. It gives you a bit more confidence as it is much more forgiving if you mess up a bit.

The downside to 26 is that some of the smaller "peakier" jumps have the tendency to buck you, so 26 definitely feels better on bigger jumps. I don't think they are that much harder to throw around in the air, but there is a difference.

As I said though, it all comes down to what you feel most comfortable on. I have seen kids ride swear by 20's and then switch to 26 after riding one, and vise versa.
 

sittingduck

Turbo Monkey
Jun 22, 2007
1,958
2
Oregon
20 is harder. Takes more control.
Also much simpler, and generally cheaper.

26 is more forgiving, especially with suspension.
 

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
7,839
6,145
Yakistan
I grew up riding 20" bikes and rode dj only the whole time I was on a 20. I suppose I rode a 20" for 5 or 6 years. At the end of the 20 days I was pushing 6'4" and felt cramped on the little wheels. I switched to a 26 bike almost ten years ago and haven't looked back.

I feel like my 26" dj bike is more stable in the air and the squish gives me a little forgiveness. The geometry of the frame fits my height well. Just my opinion.
 

syadasti

i heart mac
Apr 15, 2002
12,690
290
VT
Nothing to add, but here is a good BMX video with plenty of big hits. No helmet, so many on RM will be pissed...

 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
Everyone is going to have their argument about both. But I think it all comes down to personal preference. I find that 26 rolls much faster and is more versatile if you want to ride something a bit different. It gives you a bit more confidence as it is much more forgiving if you mess up a bit.

The downside to 26 is that some of the smaller "peakier" jumps have the tendency to buck you, so 26 definitely feels better on bigger jumps. I don't think they are that much harder to throw around in the air, but there is a difference.

As I said though, it all comes down to what you feel most comfortable on. I have seen kids ride swear by 20's and then switch to 26 after riding one, and vise versa.
20 is harder. Takes more control.
Also much simpler, and generally cheaper.

26 is more forgiving, especially with suspension.
pros and cons to each, end of the day, comes down to preference.
 

Dirtjumper999

Turbo Monkey
Feb 13, 2005
1,556
0
Charlotte, NC
I'd definitely go for 24s. I wish I did when I started riding. I hear only good things about the Black Market Contraband
24's you get the best of both worlds, but you compromise on customization. If you get a 24, get one of the "mtb" style 24s. e.g. NS suburban 24 or a Dartmoor
 

mattt

Monkey
Jul 21, 2009
126
0
texas
Here's a 24 MTBMX I built for my friend a while ago

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paK1ooqjc0c/TaY9hSrKtrI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/MplTv32Ti7w/s1600/100_0347.jpg

Not sure what "compromise of customization" means... but it is super versatile.

I will say 26" is a better "tool for the job" than a 20" on dirt. Way more rough terrain friendly. Slacker head angles, larger wheels, suspension fork, longer stays all make for a more stable ride at speed. The rotational weight of my 26" wheels actually makes the bike more conducive to tables/whips than my lightweight 20"... but I'm a big person and never found a mtb to be "sluggish" at all.

I see the biggest difference in ability is spinning: I can easily spin 540's on a 20" where I find it a bit more difficult on a 26"... but thats at the skatepark.
 

DirtBag

Monkey
Feb 1, 2006
648
0
Agreed that 24" MTBMX is the best of both worlds. Flickable yet doesn't kill you. Tonic Fab all the way.

 

mattt

Monkey
Jul 21, 2009
126
0
texas
Unless you're a smaller rider or one who rides exclusively dirt, i cant see why one would ride a 24" MTB with a disc brake. Smaller wheels give the ability to ride street and skateparks and have fun on the tiny stuff, with the use of pegs. It seems like it would be far more popular to run a 14mmX110 rear on a 24" MTB.



This one has a similar geo to the stock Fall Guy, but with a 25.4 seatpost, and 990s vs the V-brake mounts.
 
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cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
Unless you're a smaller rider or one who rides exclusively dirt, i cant see why one would ride a 24" MTB with a disc brake. Smaller wheels give the ability to ride street and skateparks and have fun on the tiny stuff, with the use of pegs. It seems like it would be far more popular to run a 14mmX110 rear on a 24" MTB.



This one has a similar geo to the stock Fall Guy, but with a 25.4 seatpost, and 990s vs the V-brake mounts.
yep that's why i was so stoked about the USB Molly when i first saw them....
 

DirtBag

Monkey
Feb 1, 2006
648
0
I had a USB Molly before my Fall Guy. I really liked it. But 990 style brakes IMO sucked badly. They squeeled no matter what I did and didn't stop as well as a v-brake. The Fall Guy was a bit tighter geometry, better looking drop outs (IMO) and overall a better fitting bike for me.

Agreed that you don't need a disc brake on a 24".
 

Dirtjumper999

Turbo Monkey
Feb 13, 2005
1,556
0
Charlotte, NC
Why mtb style vs. bmx style 24?
Because cruiser style is very much like a bigger bmx bike, and why would you want a bigger bmx bike.

MTB style is like a mtb but smaller, so for people who love the feel of a mtb but maybe are a bit smaller of a body type, its a dream come true.

I ride a mtb style 24 for street, and the only reason I don't ride the same for jumps is because you do feel a difference is the terrain gets anything besides smooth.
 

Sonic Reducer

Monkey
Mar 19, 2006
500
0
seattle worshington
bmx are way more maneuverable, poppy, quick, etc. more fun to ride in general when it comes to smooth surfaces and anything with a tighter transition. however they are not as forgiving to things like casing and landing nose heavy, landing with speed on rough terrain, etc. they do not carry speed like a 26. 26 is less maneuverable, less poppy, more stable, rolls faster, in some cases more comfortable to ride etc. the latter can be helpful for those whos backs, knees etc. are starting to give them problems. for reasons of physics, some of their components are more fragile than a 20. I find that anything skatepark or street is much funner on a bmx bike and that dirt jumps are a tiny bit funner on a 26.