Alloy 6061 frame on PK Ripper looptail... before i buy is it any good?

[Micro]

hey people the 2010 pk ripper looptail looks tempting at £350 at Chain reaction.

What do you guys think of it??

Two questions:
The Alloy 6061 frame.... yes it's light but is it strong??
At 5'8" is this bike a little on the small side??
here is the spec...


Features:
•   Limited Edition Retro 6061 Alloy Frame, Looptail Rear End, Retro Dropouts & Gussets, Individually Numbered
•   New Landing Gear Fork with Internally Threaded Steerer Tube
•   New Cr-Mo SE Power Wing Big Bars
•   Alex Double Wall Supra Dome Rims with High Flange Hubs & Alloy Axle Nuts
•   SE 3-piece 48-Spline Cranks
•   Retro Blitz Seat with Bottle Opener
•   Lightweight Low Profile X-Pedo Pedals
•   S1-E 2-Ply Retro Grip
•   Tioga Comp-III Re-Issue Tires
•   Retro Padset & Retro Number Plate Included
•   23.2 lbs

Specification:
•   Frame: 6061 Aluminium Floval Tubing, Looptail Rear End, Retro Dropouts & Gussets, Limited Edition, Individually Numbered
•   Fork: All New 100% CR-MO Landing Gear, with Internally Threaded Steerer Tube
•   Headset: Tange Alloy DX4, 1-1/8" Threadless
•   Handlebars: CR-MO Powerwing Bar, 28.5" X 8.25"
•   Stem: Retro Top Load with Engraved SE Logo, 1-1/8" Alloy
•   Grips: S-1E Retro Grip
•   Brake Lever: Tektro 313A, 2 Finger Alloy
•   Brake(s): Tektro 930AL V-Brake, Slick Cable
•   Seat: SE Lightning Blitz Seat with Bottle Opener
•   Seat Post: Retro Fluted Micro-Adjust, Aluminium 27.2
•   Crankset: SE 3-piece Cr-Mo, 180mm, 48 Spline Sealed American, 44 tooth Alloy
•   Chain: KMC Z30, silver
•   Pedal: X-Pedo Low Profile Platform with Removable Pins
•   Rim: Alex Supra Dome, 36 hiole Double Wall Aluminium , 14 Gauge Stainless Spokes
•   Front Hub: SE Racing High Flange Alloy, Sealed Bearing, Cr-Mo Axle
•   Rear Hub: SE Racing High Flange, Sealed Bearing Alloy, Cr-Mo Axle with 16 tooth Freewheel
•   Tires: Tioga Comp III Re-Issue 2.125 Front, 1.75 Rear
•   Extras: Retro Pads, Retro Plate, Alloy Axle Nuts, Alloy Valve Caps
•   Weight: 23.2 lbs
Our Best Selling SE   

[HEYWOOD BMX]

  Not for skateparks/street but fine on a track.Has a 21.25 toptube so if anything woould be big for you.

[Micro]

Thanks Voivod, what do you recommend around the £300 mark for skateparks and street? I want to ride the track occasionally but not a priority....

Don't want the bike too small!I thought 21.25 would be perfect!

Any advice appreciated, at 37 the BMX game has moved on a bit in the last 20 years!

Just bored with racer and mountain bike stuff.
Did 50 miles last week in the wind and rain and thought to myself.... stuff this! where has the fun gone in riding! Gonna get a BMX again.


 

[Munnyella]

Depends on what you expect to be doing on it, i'm 39, 14st and 5'11, My ripper (2009) will go to the boardroom and Corby, and be ridden, but i'm not getting 5' out of the ramps, so it'll be fine, if you just plan on getting your heart beating a bit and not winning any rad comps, you will be OK.

There are plenty of new school bikes which are probably better for the same money, but I bet you always wanted a Ripper!

Look at the RAD shop for a start, and on the web, you will find last years and 2009 bikes at good discounts if you don't need the new colours.

[mattfx81]

Mat Hoffman rode a ripper on vert and other mentalness in the early 90's.

Matt

[motomagII]

Mat Hoffman rode a ripper on vert and other mentalness in the early 90's.

Matt

bet they didnt last him long he snapped frames for fun .fooking way too rad for alloy frame

[mattfx81]

I think it when he was unsponsored so I bet he looked after em a little.

[Bettyswallocks]

Avoid anything 'retro'.... usually shite!

Ripper would be ok for track use but if you're planning to ride skateparks your best bet is a new school bike, at 5' 8" a 21" frame will be fine

Theres loads of completes to choose from and the quality of a complete is way better now than 15-20 years ago

Brands i'd recommend....

Subrosa
Wethepeople
Sunday
United
Verde

Get googling/ebaying dude.... 

[Micro]

Subrosa Pandora Pro Bike (2008) up for £399 at winstanletys
what do you think???

[HEYWOOD BMX]

  At that price you`d be talking entry level bikes and they tend to have pretty short toptubes.It pains me to say it but Winstanleys might have a decent bike at that that price.

[Micro]

http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/13676/Subrosa_Pandora_Pro_Bike_2008 what do ya think people?

[Bettyswallocks]

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=117537.0

Have a look at that.... bargain... 

[GTnumber1]

ygpm 

[pickle]

both the WTP and that Subrosa are top quality bikes!  i'd go for the WTP simply cos it's from Steve and not w@nkstanleys.  both bikes are proper bikes and not retro rubbish like the Ripper