My first BMX ...

[Dogfish]

Turning 48 this year picked up my first Bmx this week part of me feels like I should hand myself in to the men in white coats ...

Picked up a good condition Haro 300.2 really nice bike has been looked after hardly a mark on it ... It does feel a bit heavy but that I think is me being unfit and in need of a bit of exercise lose some of the fat and put on some muscle ..

Despite my physical condition I have enjoyed using the bike I am learning (YouTube) some basic flatland tricks simple things like bunny hops which I am finding difficult .. Have almost managed to "pogo" the bike on the stunt pegs and let the bike down and role off on the pedals ..

Next on the list is a set of knee shin pads looks like someone has meat hammered my shins ...

Can you get specialise flatland bikes I like the idea of this type of bmxing ...

Open to any suggestions for "cool" easy to learn stunts ..

[Pooch]

Shame that there's no one on here that could answer you or help out. Flatland not my thing.   

[factory pilot]

You can definitely get specialist "shorter/tighter"  flatland new school bikes ... Have a look on Alan's BMX website.
Paul Barlow ( Over 35's Freestyle on Facebook ) is the man to talk to.

[Spen69]

Yeah, unfortunately folks on here are mostly into polishing or pub rides which are a great laugh, but there's not a lot of "stunting" going on

A few of us ride ramps still - if you check out the members events section you might e able to find something near you

[griff]

Last time I tried any 'stunting' it didn't end well 

Spen's suggestion to check out park events is a good shout though, start off gently & see how you ge on 

[pickle]

Dogfish, put up a picture or two of your Haro as it could be down to the set up of your bike?  you say you can't manage a bunny hop (which is the basic of all tricks) maybe you've got the bars too far forward (set up like an old school bike) as this will make pulling the front up much harder.  as a rule the bars should be in line with the rake of the forks, this does feel a little strange to start with but you soon get used to it.

 

[Andyboy77]

Hi Paul!  I think too, it's the best to find some people to ride with. But if you can't for some reason, check out this thread:
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,54184.0.html

On this site you find a Trick-How To A to Z. It's all based on old school freestyle riding, as the how to's are scans from old magazines. But maybe it's helpful to other than old school riding aswell.
I also started out recently learning the basic tricks. Because of a lack of scene around me, I have nobody to ride with or learn from. These how to's and youtube-videos helped me out to make some progress. Regarding the bunny hop, it takes some time as I've noticed, to find a video that explains the technique propperly.

As I said, I'm a beginner but I highly recommend to get some propper gear 

Good luck, and have fun! 

[Dogfish]

Dogfish, put up a picture or two of your Haro as it could be down to the set up of your bike?  you say you can't manage a bunny hop (which is the basic of all tricks) maybe you've got the bars too far forward (set up like an old school bike) as this will make pulling the front up much harder.  as a rule the bars should be in line with the rake of the forks, this does feel a little strange to start with but you soon get used to it.

 

Thanks for the advice guys ... This helped a lot I moved the bars level with the rake of the forks can now bunny hop around 12" which nearly done me back in found a good YouTube vid guy explained the machanics of a hop .. I will post up a pic of the 300.2 .. Can role along on the pegs lift the front "pogo" on the back drop it down and role off well 1 in 20 goes feels good to get it right .. Can manage a manual for around 10 foot .. So getting there . .. It's a bloody good workout 30 mins of pratice for my unfit state is a real workout

My son keeps asking when we are going to the skate park    must admit to not having the courage yet 

If anyone within an hour of Reading wants some company and can pass on some experience please give me a shout be happy to meet up ..

Cheers
Paul

[Dogfish]

Dogfish, put up a picture or two of your Haro as it could be down to the set up of your bike?  you say you can't manage a bunny hop (which is the basic of all tricks) maybe you've got the bars too far forward (set up like an old school bike) as this will make pulling the front up much harder.  as a rule the bars should be in line with the rake of the forks, this does feel a little strange to start with but you soon get used to it.

 

Hi Pickle here is the 300.2 I have moved the bars back a bit ... I changed the steel pegs for plastic as well .. What do you think ??

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[Jaymz]

Hey dogfish, get the bars so they are parallel to the forks, then it looks like a sweet little wobble machine.

[pickle]

What Jay says, I also ditch that front brake 

[Spen69]

Yep, front brakes are just gay these days

Actually, any kind of brakes but don't listen to the yoot.....

[ED209]

Get down the skatepark and start carving about ... less impact on the knees and loads of fun