Author Topic: Help a clueless mountain biker in the ways of BMX (Read 7252 times)

egb · « **on:** June 02, 2012, 06:58 PM »

Hey

I'm after a bit of help and advice if anyone can help me.

I'm an XC mountain biker looking to develop some jumping / manualling etc skills on my local pump track. After years of clipless pedals, I need to learn how to jump/bunny hop properly on flats. I was looking to get a cheap but robust second hand BMX and found this WTP on the local police auctions website.

I have two questions:
1. Can anyone identify the bike (only small pic available sadly) and the wheel size (needs to be at least 20")?

2. What sort of gear ratio is commonly used for pump track style riding? The chainring looks tiny on this; is that going to be much of an issue, especially given I'm not going to be pedalling for the most part?

Cheers

harris · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:04 PM »

talk to tony he the man on both
http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/

egb · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:08 PM »

Quote from: harris on June 02, 2012, 07:04 PM

talk to tony he the man on both
http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/

If I had some more cash I'd consider that but I'm on a tight budget. I know a few people who should be able to help me out with tips but any more are welcome. Cheers for the heads up though.

harris · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:12 PM »

gearing wise doesnt matter much,the small sprockets are more to help clear the coping and general clearance
it wont matter much to manual,racers even at pro level manual with regular 44 size front or close to that.
getting comfy/at home on your rides the first step,short rear end slammed back wheel will help

harris · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:15 PM »

wide bars will also help with control,the bike i havent a clue new stuff all looks the same to me and dont matter much
unless it weighs a tonne at the front .time in the saddles the key .

egb · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:19 PM »

Cheers for the advice. Any idea on the model of the bike in the pic? Long shot I know.

dan-dare · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:21 PM »

XC rider,

keep a first aid kit handy....

harris · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:22 PM »

not got a clue,a bigger pic might help.im partially sighted you stumbled upon a crippled git sorry.

dan-dare · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:33 PM »

Quote from: harris on June 02, 2012, 07:22 PM

not got a clue,a bigger pic might help.im partially sighted you stumbled upon a crippled git sorry.

blind crip....

harris · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:40 PM »

yep,me good eyes failing now bud..

Dark Diggler · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:45 PM »

WTP arcade with upgraded bars and seat by the looks of it

theRuler · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM »

Quote from: harris on June 02, 2012, 07:15 PM

time in the saddles the key .

Indeed.

And hello matey!

TwoBobRob · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM »

I can tell you that bike is a low end model as it has headset cups still. All mid end and up bikes have a machined steerer tube to carry taper cartridge bearings with cups.

It won't be worth much at all, but will be perfectly rideable.

I'd be very confident that's a 20" model. However, if it turns out to be an 18", buy it anyway as they're very popular secondhand - you might even make a quid or two on it.

The gearing you see in that pic will be 25/9 probably. This equates to traditional bmx gearing of 44/16. It'll do to get you started. You might end up sticking a 28 up front if your fast/powerful.

Any other questions?

dan-dare · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:00 PM »

Quote from: TwoBobRob on June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM

Any other questions?

Who was the first man on the moon?

harris · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:04 PM »

Quote from: the®uler on June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM

Quote from: harris on June 02, 2012, 07:15 PM
time in the saddles the key .

Indeed.

And hello matey!

hows the main man,glad to see your online bro.

TwoBobRob · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:06 PM »

Quote from: dan-dare on June 02, 2012, 08:00 PM

Quote from: TwoBobRob on June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM
Any other questions?

Who was the first man on the moon?

Don't be silly - no one has ever been to the moon.......

dan-dare · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:07 PM »

Quote from: TwoBobRob on June 02, 2012, 08:06 PM

Quote from: dan-dare on June 02, 2012, 08:00 PM
Quote from: TwoBobRob on June 02, 2012, 07:46 PM
Any other questions?

Who was the first man on the moon?

Don't be silly - no one has ever been to the moon.......

egb · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:24 PM »

Cheers for the help, it's much appreciated. The bike is on auction at the moment (currently less than £20 though this will go up by the close tomorrow obviously). What do you reckon is a reasonable price? It's currently sans brakes but that doesn't really concern me a huge deal.

dan-dare · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:25 PM »

scrap it

TwoBobRob · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:27 PM »

Honestly, at a Police auction I wouldn't expect it to go over £50 and that would be a bargain really. If the wheels are straight and the frame isn't cracked it's got to be worth £100ish.

I think they're £250 or £300 brand new from memory.

harris · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:29 PM »

where do you live ? and the moon isnt the answer i need .

TwoBobRob · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:31 PM »

Aww Dan, you're no fun......

egb · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:37 PM »

Unless the wheels are tacoed then I should be able to true any minor buckles. I'd assume the frame isn't cracked but even that might be fixable. I'm in Bristol, south west of the moon.