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Should I get a BMX or Hardtail?

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
I'm a new biker and I currently ride an XC mountain bike pretty hard. I like to bomb the downhills and can generally outrun the guys I ride with even though they are all FS w/ disc brakes. I can do a rudimentary bunny-hop and have been practicing wheelies. I want to learn to hit dirt jumps, do basic trials stuff and eventually want to race in some form, doesn't really matter as long as there's people to beat. ;) I want to hit all the freerideish type stuff around where I live, eventually but probably with a bigger bike in the future.

I am thinking of buying a really low end used hardtail DJ mt. bike for around $300 to learn to jump, wheelie, manual and beat on. It recently occured to me I could get a new BMX for the same price and learn all that and then go take it racing.

What do you think?
 

scurban

Turbo Monkey
Jul 11, 2004
1,052
0
SC
get a bmx, you could get a pretty nice complete, BRAND NEW bmx from www.danscomp.com for under $400. Check out Stolen, and DK they should offer something pretty nice that you can afford, Especially Stolen, they have pretty nice completes for cheap. Since you have a MTB backround look for a frame with a 20.5 - 21" top tube. It will make the transition easier.
 

The Amish

Dumber than N8
Feb 22, 2005
645
0
Apples and oranges man. Theres tons of stuff you can do on a bmx you cant do on a hardtail, but theres also tons of stuff you can do on a hardtail you cant do on a bmx. You can dirt jump on a hardtail all day, but you wont get very far riding trials on a bmx. On the other hand, you could ride park on a hardtail, but the radius' are usualy to tight for a 26" wheel. My advice is to get one of each.

I ride street, dj's, trails, as well as some freeride on my hardtail, but when the weather gets sh*ty I head to the park on my bmx. I find this versatility does nothing but improve my overall skills as a rider. In the end a bike is a bike, and all the skills transfer.

Ellsworth specialist
Kink Freebird
 
I think you should look around what all the "kewl" kids are riding.. and then get that.. (even if it is razorskooters).. oh and while you are at it get an iPod Mini, some Duff's shoes, Volcom Jeans, and Oakley thumps.....
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
shootr said:
I think you should look around what all the "kewl" kids are riding..
I don't have their parent's budget, and I'm far from a kid anyway.

I like the Amish's advice "get both" the best, but that's also out of my budget. I'm thinking that as I am still learning the fundamentals a BMX bike might be better. The trails will be rained out here soon anyway.
 

mobius

Turbo Monkey
Jan 25, 2003
2,158
0
Around DC
BMX is by far easier for learning basic skills and park stuff. I have a cannondale chase i ride for DJing and ds/mtnx but if i ride park which is rare since i don't have anyone to go with i pull out the bmx i bought earlier this summer. I learned to hop better and manual better on my bmx in 2 days then i did on a hardtail in 2 months. Plus bmx you can learn more tricks faster like grinding stalls etc.
 

scurban

Turbo Monkey
Jul 11, 2004
1,052
0
SC
Little bikes are fun, and good to learn on, they are sturdy, and can withstand a lot of abuse. They are easy to throw around, and make learning tricks like 3's, 180's, etc. etc. easier.

Don't get me wrong, I love MTB's too, in fact, if I were given the choice, I'd probably go with a mtb over a bmx IF MONEY WAS NOT AN ISSUE. trust me, I know what its like to be on a tight budget, I've been saving for my Tonic Fall Guy for 3 months now, and I had to sell my MTB to raise the money.

Here's my suggestion Any used mtb you buy for around $300 is going to be beat, and probably won't hold up for very long, or will need constant tinkering to keep running. For $299.99 you can buy a complete brand new Stolen Wrap from www.danscomp.com it comes with very good parts, and would be a great bike to learn how to jump, and ride parks on. If you wanted to spend a bit more, for $374.99 you can get the stolen Heist. This also has a great parts spec.

Going with a BMX is for sure your best option, and is a really good option at that!

hope this post helped.
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
Would a 24" cruiser BMX work as well as a 20" to learn jumping? I know I'm gonna want to race if I buy a BMX, and from what I've read for old guys like me a cruiser provides bigger fields to race in.

Would something like a DK General Lee hold up to both jumping and racing?
 

Changleen

Paranoid Member
Jan 9, 2004
14,335
2,448
Hypernormality
The Amish said:
The battle cry of the moron
Tell that to Steven Murray or Jimmy LeVan. The battle cry of the smooth more like. There's no right or wrong here, and statements like that are pretty uncool. You'll swallow your words when GWB can take a bigger drop than you on her 20".
 

Changleen

Paranoid Member
Jan 9, 2004
14,335
2,448
Hypernormality
scurban said:
Little bikes are fun, and good to learn on, they are sturdy, and can withstand a lot of abuse. They are easy to throw around, and make learning tricks like 3's, 180's, etc. etc. easier.

Don't get me wrong, I love MTB's too, in fact, if I were given the choice, I'd probably go with a mtb over a bmx IF MONEY WAS NOT AN ISSUE. trust me, I know what its like to be on a tight budget, I've been saving for my Tonic Fall Guy for 3 months now, and I had to sell my MTB to raise the money.

Here's my suggestion Any used mtb you buy for around $300 is going to be beat, and probably won't hold up for very long, or will need constant tinkering to keep running. For $299.99 you can buy a complete brand new Stolen Wrap from www.danscomp.com it comes with very good parts, and would be a great bike to learn how to jump, and ride parks on. If you wanted to spend a bit more, for $374.99 you can get the stolen Heist. This also has a great parts spec.

Going with a BMX is for sure your best option, and is a really good option at that!

hope this post helped.
:stupid:
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
Yes, I understand that I won't be taking a BMX bike on the trails. I'm going to check out a BMX race on Friday though, to help me decide. For now, my XC bike can handle the trails I ride fine, I just have to avoid the stunts.

If budget was not a factor I would build up a slalom/4x hardtail and just ride that all the time, but I can't afford $1000 to spend on a good hardtail. As I stated before, my choice right now is between really crappy used mtn bike or new BMX bike.

I haven't said anything about park riding, but who knows I might be up for that as my skills improve. Basically I have this ravenous hunger to learn everything I possibly can on a bike and I'm looking for the least amount of equipment to enable that. You guys have been very helpful so far, thanks.

Then again I could sell my car and buy a big bike, but then I'd have to commute on it too. ;)
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
Well I thought about it a bit, and decided I really do want a hardtail instead of a BMX. I'm not really into park/freestyle and after chatting with a couple buddies about their BMX racing days I don't think that's for me either.

I pretty much quadrupled my budget too, had to wear down my wife a little but it worked. So now I'm looking at an 05 Kona Stuff. I can get one from the LBS for $1000 including a dj lid and arm/leg armor. I've ridden it around a couple times and really like it. Any drawbacks to this bike I should know about? Keep in mind I'm a n00b and will not be that discerning. ;)
 

scurban

Turbo Monkey
Jul 11, 2004
1,052
0
SC
Nope, that bike should work out well for you.

I'm not sure about the price, you may want to check around online a bit to make sure you are getting a good deal, but that would probably be a great learning bike. Not to mention you can blast down trails at ucsc on the stuff, and hit most of the stuff that place has to offer.

I say go for it.
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
I think the price is pretty good, it retails for $950 and they were talking $825 for the bike. For this I'd prefer a local shop rather than used or online for the support.
 

sayndesyn

Turbo Monkey
Scarpa said:
Well, just bought a small Chameleon. Can't wait to put it together!

Good choice. I had an 05 stuff and ended up replacing most of the parts on it... Better off to build up a frame IMO. if you are just jumping I recommend SS and only a rear brake which saves you some money as well. If you are going for an overall trail bike the Chameleon will definately be better than the Stuff. Good pick..
 

Scarpa

Chimp
Aug 31, 2005
76
0
Felton
sayndesyn said:
If you are going for an overall trail bike the Chameleon will definately be better than the Stuff. Good pick..
Thanks! I'm going to build it up as a "trail" bike I guess.. kind of a slalom build but a little bit beefier wheels/fork since I'm going to be learning on it and will probably be rough on the bike for awhile. Chose a small frame and short stem so I'm hoping it feels real nimble and tossable. Will probably whore out the pictures as soon as I get them. ;)