What 26in Bmx bike to buy?

[DaBank]

I am 38 and 5/11 would a 26in be the right size for me? Just want a bike to curb hop around the neighborhood. Are the new 2012 GTs good?Frank

 

[TX Foilhead]

Cool, I didn't know they were making something like that. I like my 24 for most BMX like activities and use the 26 when I want to get somewhere. Even though my 26 is set up for century rides and weighs about 19lbs, the 24 feels more nimble and BMX like.

 

[DaBank]

Cool, I didn't know they were making something like that. I like my 24 for most BMX like activities and use the 26 when I want to get somewhere. Even though my 26 is set up for century rides and weighs about 19lbs, the 24 feels more nimble and BMX like.

What brands/models are your bikes? Frank

 

[W.O.T]

Im in the market for a 24" bmx bike havent heard of a 26". Think I'm going to get a diamond back. I get a deal thru work for the cruiser its 198$ Would love to blast around the neighborhood like I used to.

 

[Racey]

I'm 6'2" and ride a DK Xenia cruiser, mine is about 5-6 years old now, it has mild suspension forks, i think they are dirt jump forks, But they make them now with rigid forks, Cost has come down big time too, Mine cost me like $700 back then, the rigid ones now are $300 it looks like. Super nice bike, DK has been making great bikes for probably 15+ years, all chromoly frames, disk brake, 48 spline 3 piece crank like a profile.

Edit: BTW the bike did come with straight bars, i swapped them out for some S&M cruiser 4" or 5" cruiser bars. So you'll wanna pick up some bars as well.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/DK-Xenia-26-BMX-Bike/17012261

 

[Blubyu]

REDLINE!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DaBank]

24in or 26in? Pros and cons on both? Frank

 

[Tank]

Look no further!

http://www.sebikes.com/category.php?cat=retroseries


24" Floval Flyer is the all time greatest 24" cruiser ever built in my honest opinion.

The 26" OM is an insanely sick bike

And the 29" quad angle is just straight crazy!!!

I'm 6' 215 and ride a 24" 2003 profile that I really enjoy but a 26" would be more comfy.

 

[DaBank]

Look no further!

http://www.sebikes.com/category.php?cat=retroseries


24" Floval Flyer is the all time greatest 24" cruiser ever built in my honest opinion.

The 26" OM is an insanely sick bike

And the 29" quad angle is just straight crazy!!!

I'm 6' 215 and ride a 24" 2003 profile that I really enjoy but a 26" would be more comfy.

I want ride around the lake I live at it is 4 miles total loop......90% street and jumping curbs. Would you go with a 24in or 26in for comfort and overall enjoyment of riding, it is always windy at my house. Have you ever heard of Sapient or Gernade bikes they make some cheaper 24in online on sale for 200 to 250. Frank

 

[TX Foilhead]

My 26 is a Klein Rascal converted to 1 speed with a few liteweight mt bike parts still on it. The 24 is a Bontrager from back when they were known for making bikes and it has quite a few of my favorite parts from the 20in I grew up with.

 

[TX Foilhead]

29 Quad Angle would be sweet.

Really depends on if you want to sit or stand, your goning to stand up most of the time on a 24 and some of the 26in dirt jumpers too. 26 or a 29 you can sit on until you want to do something, the others are just a bit cramped if your doing anything but coasting. 4 miles though isn't going to be that big of a deal on a 24.

 

[DaBank]

How about Sunday bikes?

 

[Tank]

29 Quad Angle would be sweet.

Really depends on if you want to sit or stand, your goning to stand up most of the time on a 24 and some of the 26in dirt jumpers too. 26 or a 29 you can sit on until you want to do something, the others are just a bit cramped if your doing anything but coasting. 4 miles though isn't going to be that big of a deal on a 24.

That's solid advise right there. Very true. I do find myself standing on my 24 Profile most of the time.


And yes, I've heard of grenade bikes. I really haven't gotten into the new school bikes but was / am pretty knowledgable about the old school (mod school really - 80's to 90's era) stuff. SE racing is a mix since they went out of business and were bought out a few years later and brought back (but made in Asia now). But they're based on all the original jigs.

My profile you can't buy anymore because they decided to stop building bikes and just concentrate on parts as they've been doing for over 30 years (profile 3 piece cranks are respected up there with redline flights).

Anyway, I digress. If you want something new school and cheap look around and get something you dig. If you were ever into 80s / 90s BMX you can go with SE to be still be retro or just start looking on eBay for some real retro stuff. But it'll cost you as you can see. Dans comp.com is a good place to look Hoffman and Haro are good new school brands.

 

[DaBank]

That's solid advise right there. Very true. I do find myself standing on my 24 Profile most of the time.


And yes, I've heard of grenade bikes. I really haven't gotten into the new school bikes but was / am pretty knowledgable about the old school (mod school really - 80's to 90's era) stuff. SE racing is a mix since they went out of business and were bought out a few years later and brought back (but made in Asia now). But they're based on all the original jigs.

My profile you can't buy anymore because they decided to stop building bikes and just concentrate on parts as they've been doing for over 30 years (profile 3 piece cranks are respected up there with redline flights).

Anyway, I digress. If you want something new school and cheap look around and get something you dig. If you were ever into 80s / 90s BMX you can go with SE to be still be retro or just start looking on eBay for some real retro stuff. But it'll cost you as you can see. Dans comp.com is a good place to look Hoffman and Haro are good new school brands.

I like this bike but I really don't want to stand when riding the whole time what about a 24 with a taller seat post?

http://www.danscomp.com/products-BIKES/107137/2013_SE_Floval_Flyer_Retro_24_Bike.html

 

[Dan Lorenze]

29 Quad Angle would be sweet.

X2

 

[DaBank]

That's solid advise right there. Very true. I do find myself standing on my 24 Profile most of the time.


And yes, I've heard of grenade bikes. I really haven't gotten into the new school bikes but was / am pretty knowledgable about the old school (mod school really - 80's to 90's era) stuff. SE racing is a mix since they went out of business and were bought out a few years later and brought back (but made in Asia now). But they're based on all the original jigs.

My profile you can't buy anymore because they decided to stop building bikes and just concentrate on parts as they've been doing for over 30 years (profile 3 piece cranks are respected up there with redline flights).

Anyway, I digress. If you want something new school and cheap look around and get something you dig. If you were ever into 80s / 90s BMX you can go with SE to be still be retro or just start looking on eBay for some real retro stuff. But it'll cost you as you can see. Dans comp.com is a good place to look Hoffman and Haro are good new school brands.

Maybe I should buy a nice 80s or 90s bike, I am sure I could get my money back for one in years to come. Frank

 

[RyanPartridge]

When it comes to 26" BMX, they were only made for a handful of years in the late 70's and early 80's. These frame/forks are very collectable and bring big bucks in the collector scene. Unless you score a garage sale find, expect to pay.

If you're going newschool, look into Johnny Severin's retro Webco and Stroker tribute bikes over at TrueTorch.com. His stuff is 4130 chromoly and made in Santa Ana. Johnny is a cool guy, he'll do any custom stuff you want. Better place to see his frames is here...

http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/true_torch/

 

[Tank]

When it comes to 26" BMX, they were only made for a handful of years in the late 70's and early 80's. These frame/forks are very collectable and bring big bucks in the collector scene. Unless you score a garage sale find, expect to pay.

If you're going newschool, look into Johnny Severin's retro Webco and Stroker tribute bikes over at TrueTorch.com. His stuff is 4130 chromoly and made in Santa Ana. Johnny is a cool guy, he'll do any custom stuff you want. Better place to see his frames is here...

http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/true_torch/

Yes, this is very true. You will pay large for something like a mod 80's to early 90's OM Flyer!

The tribute bikes are sick.

 

[BIG JOHNSON]

I raced bmx from age 13-18. Still have two 20 inchers that I will street ride now and then. I'm 6'2" and the bikes still work for me.

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

 

[Tank]

I like this bike but I really don't want to stand when riding the whole time what about a 24 with a taller seat post?

http://www.danscomp.com/products-BIKES/107137/2013_SE_Floval_Flyer_Retro_24_Bike.html

The Floval is one bad ass bike. I've owned several bikes from the 80's- Hutch's, CW's, PK Ripper's Pattersons, GT's - I had a little problem collecting bikes for a while. During that time I built my profile instead of buying a Floval. So I never have owned a Floval. It's the one bike I still want.

But to answer your question, I suppose you can raise the seat post for sure. I find when I'm sitting though, my knees come up high and my saddle (which is a race seat) is a bit rough on my butt! It's just better to stand. But then again these type of bikes are made to be ridden fast (good exercise) and you don't really sit down and ride fast. But you can sit to rest and coast a bit.

Anyway, sorry to ramble.

Here's a pic of my Profile hanging in my garage. Spent 2k on the build. These quality costs!

 

[Tank]

I raced bmx from age 13-18. Still have two 20 inchers that I will street ride now and then. I'm 6'2" and the bikes still work for me.

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Totally! I rode my 20" Hutch and PK Rippers all the time for short blasts around the beach.

What do you have?

 

[oldschool]

When it comes to 26" BMX, they were only made for a handful of years in the late 70's and early 80's. These frame/forks are very collectable and bring big bucks in the collector scene. Unless you score a garage sale find, expect to pay.

If you're going newschool, look into Johnny Severin's retro Webco and Stroker tribute bikes over at TrueTorch.com. His stuff is 4130 chromoly and made in Santa Ana. Johnny is a cool guy, he'll do any custom stuff you want. Better place to see his frames is here...

http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/true_torch/

Those tribute Webco's are sick. I would love one to go with my 20" Webco:thumbup:.

 

[DaBank]

The Floval is one bad ass bike. I've owned several bikes from the 80's- Hutch's, CW's, PK Ripper's Pattersons, GT's - I had a little problem collecting bikes for a while. During that time I built my profile instead of buying a Floval. So I never have owned a Floval. It's the one bike I still want.

But to answer your question, I suppose you can raise the seat post for sure. I find when I'm sitting though, my knees come up high and my saddle (which is a race seat) is a bit rough on my butt! It's just better to stand. But then again these type of bikes are made to be ridden fast (good exercise) and you don't really sit down and ride fast. But you can sit to rest and coast a bit.

Anyway, sorry to ramble.

Here's a pic of my Profile hanging in my garage. Spent 2k on the build. These quality costs!

View attachment 243513

Nice bike. Frank

 

[TX Foilhead]

If you want an old school 26, I have a friend in Austin that builds a handful every year. Firemans TX Cruzer, I haven't talked to him in while, but the last time I did they guys from the old SE Racing were building the frames. They are to his specs and not an SE replica so they handle more like the old Cook Bros or Powerlites. He will sell a complete bike or a frame and fork if you want to build your own.

I don't know how anyone could fit on the old 20's, I finally gave my Hutch frame away because it was just too small and I got tired of banging my knees on the bars. I did keep my Profile Cranks (82) and had some wheels made up from the Bullseye hubs.

 

[Tamalewagon]

What happened to DG and Redline?

 

[RyanPartridge]

What happened to DG and Redline?

A DG 26" cruiser is amongst the most rare/sought after frames. Especially the Green Duck 3 bar cruisers. But the Vulcan race style frames are just as collectable.

 

[Tamalewagon]

A DG 26" cruiser is amongst the most rare/sought after frames. Especially the Green Duck 3 bar cruisers. But the Vulcan race style frames are just as collectable.

I'm still stuck in the 80's.

 

[RyanPartridge]

For the vintage guys...

My 1978 Littlejohn, 79 Bassett, and 82 Laguna project...

 

[oldschool]

For the vintage guys...

My 1978 Littlejohn, 79 Bassett, and 82 Laguna project...

Nice. Love the loop tails.

 

[BIG JOHNSON]

Totally! I rode my 20" Hutch and PK Rippers all the time for short blasts around the beach.

What do you have?

I have my Schwinn aluminum pro 1 modified, profile 180mm cranks, pitch forks, slam bars, s&m redneck and Odyssey T1000's with tioga comp III's about ready for new tires.

My other is a Schwinn Joey Garcia Automatic that's all stock 48 spoke, 5/8 axles and triple walls.

Are those Araya super 7x wheels on that profile?

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

 

[Tank]

For the vintage guys...

My 1978 Littlejohn, 79 Bassett, and 82 Laguna project...

Nice collection man! Got some serious coin right there!

 

[Tank]

What happened to DG and Redline?

Redline is still building new bikes last I heard. I believe DG is too.

 

[Tank]

I have my Schwinn aluminum pro 1 modified, profile 180mm cranks, pitch forks, slam bars, s&m redneck and Odyssey T1000's with tioga comp III's about ready for new tires.

My other is a Schwinn Joey Garcia Automatic that's all stock 48 spoke, 5/8 axles and triple walls.

Are those Araya super 7x wheels on that profile?

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Nice!!! Hang on to them. These freakin bikes just keep seeming to gain value even with the screwed economy!!

The profile does have Arayas on it with red nipples. Don't know if they're super 7x's though.

Everything on that bike if profile except the tires, brakes, rims and peddles -

Profile sealed bearing polished hubs, profile 3 piece cranks, crupi billet platforms, profile gooseneck, seat clamp, saddle, seat post, forks, etc....I really love this bike.

 

[DaBank]

I am not up to date on cranks/wheels/etc but it seems like a SE OM or the SE 24in is the best value on a new complete bike? If I want to sit 100% of the time sounds like I want a 26in then? But I do still want to TRY to ride hard and jump curbs and go fast but don't want to stand the whole time either, so I think a 24in with the seat set high might work too? I also see people talking about gear changes and good top speed but hard to get going.......I do not want it to be like my beach cruiser that is already hard for me to ride any length of time this is why I want a fun bmx to ride. Frank

 

[Tank]

I am not up to date on cranks/wheels/etc but it seems like a SE OM or the SE 24in is the best value on a new complete bike? If I want to sit 100% of the time sounds like I want a 26in then? But I do still want to TRY to ride hard and jump curbs and go fast but don't want to stand the whole time either, so I think a 24in with the seat set high might work too? I also see people talking about gear changes and good top speed but hard to get going.......I do not want it to be like my beach cruiser that is already hard for me to ride any length of time this is why I want a fun bmx to ride. Frank

You can't go wrong buying a built 24" SE Floval. You won't need to screw around with the gearing, It'll be set up nice for you to have fun.

And yea, I think you'll be able to mess with seat hight on a 24" and get it right.

"Best value" is hard to determine. I mean, sounds like you can buy another brand 24" for a couple hundred. That's good value but you just get the f*ckin awesome factor having a retro bike but they're going to cost more.

Also, go on ebay and type on Floval flyer. Might be able to pick up a used (new retro) one for a good price over buying a new one. But don't get scared when you see the pricing on the OG ones on there...crazy expensive.

 

[DaBank]

Went and looked at 24s the ones I want are $600 to $800. I bought a older Dyno VRF 24 today on craigslist that is pretty clean but needs a brake cable all stock but a Profile neckand a Bell seat, I am going to ride this for a couple weeks and see how I feel before buying new. Thanks for all the help, Frank

 

[Tank]

Went and looked at 24s the ones I want are $600 to $800. I bought a older Dyno VRF 24 today on craigslist that is pretty clean but needs a brake cable all stock but a Profile neckand a Bell seat, I am going to ride this for a couple weeks and see how I feel before buying new. Thanks for all the help, Frank

That's a smart move. Then if you decide you want another 24 or mobs up to a 26 you have a couple bikes to choose from.

Post a pic of the Dyno.

 

[Tank]

Well???? How's the new bike? What's the consensus??

 

[Tank]

Yo Bank! Are you liking your new bike? Buying anything else?

 

[DaBank]

Yo Bank! Are you liking your new bike? Buying anything else?

Tank I rode it twice so a total of 7 miles. It seems really heavy compared to what I thought it would, I like it but with the rain the last couple of weeks and the cold and blah blah blah me being lazy I still need to ride it more before I spend $500 to $800 on a new one. Frank

 

[Tank]

Tank I rode it twice so a total of 7 miles. It seems really heavy compared to what I thought it would, I like it but with the rain the last couple of weeks and the cold and blah blah blah me being lazy I still need to ride it more before I spend $500 to $800 on a new one. Frank

Go out and get a good feel for the fit, not the weight. Dyno's were me dr light, they were owned by GT and built as an entry level bike. Usually really stock parts that were not built for the track (ie light). You'll have fun on the Dyno but when you drop some coin and buy a higher end bike you'll get the lightweight was.

Wish you were closer, I'd let you take my profile for a ride. Outstanding tide...But that's what 2k gets

 

[wrighton]

Good information, as I was also in the market for a 24 inch bmx style to ride with my son. He just won a bmx from his school, Actually a 150.00 credit toward a bike at wallmart. I chipped in another 50 bucks and he was able to order their top of the line mongoose on line. Still Not great, but chromoly frame, handlebar, decent components, 14mm front and back, double wall tires and hd wheels. so I was going to trade in his 16 inch redline, with 20 inch tires as the place I bought for him at a bike shop, that has a buy back program.

they currently have a redline 24 inch bmx, red in color did not get the model number. That seemed to be in decent shape, they were going to do a safety check, replace tires, grips, and seat. Any thoughts?

 

[mbrown2]

I have one of these....woodgrain 26 OM flyer.... I had a 24 intense podium pro cruiser and for racing the 24 is the way to go... For cruising the neighborhood the 26 is much more comfortable.

 

[Brian B]

Look no further!

http://www.sebikes.com/category.php?cat=retroseries


24" Floval Flyer is the all time greatest 24" cruiser ever built in my honest opinion.

The 26" OM is an insanely sick bike

And the 29" quad angle is just straight crazy!!!

I'm 6' 215 and ride a 24" 2003 profile that I really enjoy but a 26" would be more comfy.

I still have my 97 Floval! Really want an OM Flyer as well!

 

[Tank]

I have one of these....woodgrain 26 OM flyer.... I had a 24 intense podium pro cruiser and for racing the 24 is the way to go... For cruising the neighborhood the 26 is much more comfortable.

SICK!!!!

 

[Tank]

I still have my 97 Floval! Really want an OM Flyer as well!

And, sick again!

 

[PLACECRAFT20]

I bought a new Redline to ride with my son a year or so back and love it.
I think it was about $350 from the local bike shop.

 

[Brian B]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/se-racing-floval-flyer-/160964985950?pt=BMX_Bikes&hash=item257a42c45e

 

[Tank]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/se-racing-floval-flyer-/160964985950?pt=BMX_Bikes&hash=item257a42c45e

That thing's pretty beat up.

I'd spend the few extra hundred and buy a built / new one. I know it's sacreligious to some but really, I don't see much of a difference in build quality from new to old.

 

[mbrown2]

That thing's pretty beat up.

I'd spend the few extra hundred and buy a built / new one. I know it's sacreligious to some but really, I don't see much of a difference in build quality from new to old.

I agree as just around the town cruiser....it is just much cheaper to buy the new complete SE bikes vs trying to build one up. Think I got the Woodgrain OM Flyer for 300 bux brand new on Ebay...killer deal. When I built up the intense....I found myself searching for good/great used/new parts....carbon fiber cranks, SINS rims/sealed hubs, sinz brakes....think I had 700 in that 24" after I was complete.