I have promised my nephew a BMX for Xmas but I have no idea what to get him. He is 7 years old and can't even ride a bike yet (don't ask). Evans cycles has one in for £150 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/logo-2013-bmx-bike-ec042158 do you think this will be okay? If not please direct me in the right direction.
BMX help
- Thread starter dsb
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If he's never ridden a bike before, i'd go for something with 2 brakes. Cant offer much more advice than that about BMXs tho.
edit: actually, i may be wrong. the picture clearly has only 1 brake but the spec lists a front and rear brake
edit: actually, i may be wrong. the picture clearly has only 1 brake but the spec lists a front and rear brake
id imagen a 20" frame would be too big for a 7yo
how tall is he? theres a size chart here.. http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/03c/a85/ca5/18/bmx-sizing-chart.pdf
how tall is he? theres a size chart here.. http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/03c/a85/ca5/18/bmx-sizing-chart.pdf
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what you want is 16" for a 7 year old 
20" will be to big..
http://www.alansbmx.com/1341645/products/united_recruit_16_2014_orange_plus_free_stuff.aspx
or an 18" if he's taller - check the descriptions to make sure you get the proper frame size for him.. 18'er will last longer than 16"! I know these are more than the 150 mongoses but when it comes to selling it, it will still ride properly! those 150 ones are hard to sell and if he ever gets into it, it'll fall apart in no time.
http://www.alansbmx.com/1339880/products/kink_kicker_18_inch_2014_matte_black.aspx
for w/e reason 16/18 Inch bmx'es cost more.. but get something that fits well and he will be able to learn on it.
20" will be to big.. http://www.alansbmx.com/1341645/products/united_recruit_16_2014_orange_plus_free_stuff.aspx
or an 18" if he's taller - check the descriptions to make sure you get the proper frame size for him.. 18'er will last longer than 16"!
I know these are more than the 150 mongoses but when it comes to selling it, it will still ride properly! those 150 ones are hard to sell and if he ever gets into it, it'll fall apart in no time.http://www.alansbmx.com/1339880/products/kink_kicker_18_inch_2014_matte_black.aspx
for w/e reason 16/18 Inch bmx'es cost more.. but get something that fits well and he will be able to learn on it.
If he's never ridden a bike before, i'd go for something with 2 brakes. Cant offer much more advice than that about BMXs tho.
edit: actually, i may be wrong. the picture clearly has only 1 brake but the spec lists a front and rear brake
One brake will activate both
If it only had a one front break and you put the brake on quickly you'd go over the handlebars.... Trust me, I've got the scars to prove it 
If he's never ridden a bike before, i'd go for something with 2 brakes. Cant offer much more advice than that about BMXs tho.
edit: actually, i may be wrong. the picture clearly has only 1 brake but the spec lists a front and rear brake
this the usual for BMX bikes
there's no need to have a front bake.. 90% of my mates ride with no brakes at all, its a track focused bike.. sadly tracks around london are covered in Bulgarian kids(not trying to disrespect anyone but its true)up to you mate, but get an 18" bike.. can't see him riding a 20" frame/wheels comfortably..
Soldato
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[/B]
One brake will activate both
What?
The bike in the picture has one brake (rear) fitted but the one you buy will come with two fitted. Most people will take the front one off.
Soldato
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This ^
The front brake will be a crappy brake just to make it legal. Most high end bmxs come with what you would find on a cheap 12" kids bike as it won't get used.
Soldato
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unless your nephew is destined to be a pro basketballer, I'd say 20" wheels would definitely be too big. (I'm over 6' myself, and ride a bmx with 20" wheels, and 20.75" toptube. toptube is the most important measurement for a bmx, and is measured from the centre of the steerer tube, to the centre of the seatpost usually)
had a quick look at 18" bikes, and this one is actually VERY good:
http://www.customriders.com/prodshow.asp?prodid=15936&cat=57&parent=1010&sid=3 (custom riders are also an excellent shop, mainly dealing in high end BMX parts, unfortunately out of stock at this moment, but worth ringing to see if they can still get them/shopping around for one!)
diamondback are a well established make, and it has decent parts which will handle some abuse before you need to upgrade. obviously as he can't even ride on flat ground yet, it will be years before this is a concern, by which point, he'll probably have outgrown it.
until he reaches the point where he wants to hit jumps/ramps, you really don't need anything too special, even something as 'bargain basement' as this would do fine for a few years: http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6131.html,
although it would be worth getting the lightest bike you can find/afford, as lightweight bikes are infinitely easier to move around under you and control.
just found another which carries many of the same benefits as the diamondback, but does look a bit heavier: http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5111.html
had a quick look at 18" bikes, and this one is actually VERY good:
http://www.customriders.com/prodshow.asp?prodid=15936&cat=57&parent=1010&sid=3 (custom riders are also an excellent shop, mainly dealing in high end BMX parts, unfortunately out of stock at this moment, but worth ringing to see if they can still get them/shopping around for one!)
diamondback are a well established make, and it has decent parts which will handle some abuse before you need to upgrade. obviously as he can't even ride on flat ground yet, it will be years before this is a concern, by which point, he'll probably have outgrown it.
until he reaches the point where he wants to hit jumps/ramps, you really don't need anything too special, even something as 'bargain basement' as this would do fine for a few years: http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6131.html,
although it would be worth getting the lightest bike you can find/afford, as lightweight bikes are infinitely easier to move around under you and control.
just found another which carries many of the same benefits as the diamondback, but does look a bit heavier: http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5111.html