BMX riding questions - Beginner?

[Malccolm]

I have always gone for mountain bikes and road bikes, because most of the riding I do is road cycling and a little bit off road, but recently I am becoming more interested in urban/ flat land BMX riding. Obviously I have no experience in this style or riding, and would really like to learn. So here are my questions:

1 - Im 18, 6ft 2 and 15st heavy, what sort of a frame will I need for a BMX bike? Will 20 inch be too small for me? I know smaller = lighter = easier for tricks and what not, but whats your personal preference?
2 - What are some decent brand names for this style of riding?
3 - Can you please provide me with any information that would be useful for a beginner learning this style of riding?

Thanks for the help guys, greatly appreciated

 

[Boeing]

There are styles within the style. Are you looking to race. Street? Park/Pipe? Dirt Jump? What terrain is accessible to you in your area?

 

[Boeing]

If you want the finest frames these guys are cutting edge

http://www.ridesuperco.com/2010/index.php

Look through the 'torch' link and see who is riding them

and the varied terrain/style whatever as they apply to wheel size. they make a 24 and a 26.

 

[baker0127]

Bike size?

Hi, Mallcom, Have been a BMX racer/rider almost 30yrs, if I may suggest if it is a 20" (which they do make that will fit you) you want to go with something with atleast a 21"- 21 1/2" top tube measurement, for a guy your highth. I hope that helps, good day. JB

 

[baker0127]

Malccolm

Just realized I misspelled your name, I do apologize. JB

 

[Radders]

HI, I used to ride a lot of BMX freestyle through the 80's and 90's and even up to a few years ago, on and off.

Things have changed a lot over the last few years, bikes are stronger, lighter and more value for money, but they have become more polarised depending on the style of riding.

If you're looking at 'true' bmx, then its a 20" wheel bike. If you are focussing on flatland exclusively, then a flatland specific frame will be very different to an all round bike that you can ride street, park or dirt on. Flatland bikes are much shorter and have a steeper headtube to improve responsiveness, reduce rotating mass etc. A street / dirt bike will be longer and more stable and stronger, for jumping and all round abuse. You can modify a street bike with pegs, brakes etc to enable you to use it for flatland, but you wouldnt want to go dirt jumping on a flatland bike.