Starting BMX

hvaughn88
Posts
8361
Joined
6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR, USA
Edited Date/Time 2/25/2016 7:21pm
Yeah, I know - Non-Moto.

Anyhoo, my son is wanting to get started in BMX, so naturally I wanna race too. I'm 28 and have never raced BMX, but I rode alot of street in high school and college on a 24" and also an mtb dirt jumper. Any tips for getting started? I really have no idea where to start in regards to bikes, classes, etc. I still have my old 24" free agent, but I like toys so I figure I may end up getting something else. I'm as green as it gets when it comes to BMX racing so any advice for a newb would be greatly appreciated.
1
|
Panic_Rev
Posts
686
Joined
7/13/2012
Location
Fayetteville, AR, USA
2/24/2016 12:34pm
I would start with your local bike dealer.
1
Nom DeGuerre
Posts
173
Joined
12/20/2015
Location
Cheyenne, WY, USA
2/24/2016 12:36pm
Go to some gate practices... BMX will show how out of shape someone is... run you FA for now, but be forewarned, the cruiser class is usually stacked, no matter the skill level.
1

The Shop

Dtat720
Posts
1588
Joined
2/20/2015
Location
Flowood, MS, USA
2/24/2016 12:39pm
Race your dj in the cruiser class. Its allowed. There are several of us on here with deep roots in bmx. I ran teams, built and operated tracks, raced, kid races now. Have fun with it. Dont take it too serious. 28-35 is full of idiots, hence stick with the cruiser class, its more dads than hot heads. I still ride my free agent limo cruiser. Love it.
1
Dtat720
Posts
1588
Joined
2/20/2015
Location
Flowood, MS, USA
2/24/2016 12:41pm
If you go to Bonzai in Little Rock, find Elvis. Hes a rad dude.
dsmith
Posts
4573
Joined
3/29/2011
Location
way north, IN, USA
Fantasy
2/24/2016 12:41pm
use your free agent in the rookie class for starters...then maybe look into getting something more modern as you get more into it....get ready to not jump and roll all jumps as the tracks of today have roller jumps and concrete berms..and as always...practice,....especially the start....hubs are prob the most important part.....as there is a lot of coasting for novice/rookie riders.....
2/24/2016 12:43pm
My son races strider bikes. Bmx racing looks fun. I've only raced once and that was a Mother's Day race where I finished 2nd (the person who beat me was a pro and was also racing that day). i will say it cost $60 (maybe $65, idk if they raised the license or not). Strider license is $30 (for people who want to get there son/daughter in it). The only bad part is you don't get to pick your number. You will be assigned one. My son Aidens is #522 (I wanted him to be #118 my old mx number). Race fees depend on track and event. All bike racers pay $15 per race and I think $20 or $30 for state and gold cup races. Idk how much nationals are though. (Strider races at our local tracks are $5). They do have a one day try it out license that is free for that day.
hvaughn88
Posts
8361
Joined
6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR, USA
2/24/2016 12:46pm
Dtat720 wrote:
If you go to Bonzai in Little Rock, find Elvis. Hes a rad dude.
Will do, that's exactly where I'm gonna be going. My son's basketball season is almost over so we can finally make some practices. So far, he's had games every single night they've had practices. We went and watched a few races last year and it seemed pretty laid back. We're both pretty pumped about getting started.
EddieC
Posts
362
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Temecula, CA, USA
2/24/2016 1:40pm
Check out usabmx.com There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding. Don't want you to have something come loose your first time out. Have fun.







2
seth505
Posts
10210
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA, USA
2/24/2016 1:43pm
Just go to local tracks on practice/race nights and get your feet wet.
I'm hitting up a track after work today and it really is crazy how quick it zaps your energy trying to sprint/pump around the track.
Nom DeGuerre
Posts
173
Joined
12/20/2015
Location
Cheyenne, WY, USA
2/24/2016 1:51pm
Your legs will lock pretty quickly... haha. Stay on flats for he beginning. Some pretty good info so far... I haven't raced since the NBL days, sure miss it.
newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
2/24/2016 2:02pm
EddieC wrote:
Check out [url=http://usabmx.com]usabmx.com[/url] There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding...
Check out usabmx.com There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding. Don't want you to have something come loose your first time out. Have fun.







Looks like asphalt. I remember Cross Up BMX in Spring Texas having some really nice dirt back in 1981. They would drag the track with a riding mower towing a 4x8 sheet of expanded metal. I also remember Jeff Osmus (Team Torker factory rider) kicking my ass out of the gate so bad that it still hurts today. Laughing
500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
2/24/2016 2:03pm
Get your old bike out, get a USA BMX card and go ride practice and race a few times before you pick a new bike, You will learn more at the track then from most bike dealers.
2
jgmxdad251
Posts
1253
Joined
11/23/2008
Location
Simi Valley, CA, USA
2/24/2016 4:10pm
EddieC wrote:
Check out [url=http://usabmx.com]usabmx.com[/url] There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding...
Check out usabmx.com There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding. Don't want you to have something come loose your first time out. Have fun.







Is that the Perris track?
GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
2/24/2016 4:46pm
Vitalbmx.com is more for the street, ramp, and freestyle crowd.
MX_Andrew83
Posts
748
Joined
10/6/2010
Location
Morehead city, NC, USA
2/24/2016 5:08pm
I did a few races last year and really enjoyed it.
WJB419MX
Posts
21
Joined
11/21/2011
Location
Hammonton, NJ, USA
2/24/2016 6:59pm
didn't read any comments but check out usabmx.com they'll tell you just about all you need to know.

but if your looking into buyin new then support your local bike shop (only if there into bmx and support it) if not check out powers bike shop.
dont listen to all the old heads who say carbon sucks etc blah blah blah.
jasonv43
Posts
10283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2/24/2016 7:13pm
Awesome!

Just run the 24 like some have said for now. Get your feet wet and learn the ins and outs of it. Practice, practice, practice. Just like anything the more you do it the better you will be. Our local track is pretty family friendly and very helpful. I'm getting ready to start going with my son again. I'm older than you are and still love it.


Ok riders let's set em up. On the gate, riders ready, watch the light!!!

jasonv43
Posts
10283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2/24/2016 7:18pm
Here's what I'm running right now.



And here's what I used to race.



3
hvaughn88
Posts
8361
Joined
6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR, USA
2/24/2016 7:31pm Edited Date/Time 2/24/2016 7:31pm
Thanks for all the replies guys! There seems to be a lot of good advice in here and some awesome pictures too. I'll be honest, I'm pretty damn excited about getting involved in something me and my son can both enjoy together. Hopefully he likes it.
jasonv43
Posts
10283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2/24/2016 7:34pm
hvaughn88 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies guys! There seems to be a lot of good advice in here and some awesome pictures too. I'll be honest, I'm...
Thanks for all the replies guys! There seems to be a lot of good advice in here and some awesome pictures too. I'll be honest, I'm pretty damn excited about getting involved in something me and my son can both enjoy together. Hopefully he likes it.
That's awesome man enjoy it!!!
Excaliburbmx
Posts
1868
Joined
6/21/2014
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
2/24/2016 8:04pm
Dtat720 wrote:
If you go to Bonzai in Little Rock, find Elvis. Hes a rad dude.
Questionable
EddieC
Posts
362
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Temecula, CA, USA
2/24/2016 8:57pm
EddieC wrote:
Check out [url=http://usabmx.com]usabmx.com[/url] There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding...
Check out usabmx.com There you will find pretty much everything you need to get started. Make sure to check all your nuts and bolts before riding. Don't want you to have something come loose your first time out. Have fun.







jgmxdad251 wrote:
Is that the Perris track?
No the top one is form Simi BMX the bottom two are from Chula Vista BMX. Perris is my local track.
jasonv43
Posts
10283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2/24/2016 9:23pm
Rancho BMX used to be THE track down there. That was my home track back in the day. How is Perris these days?
three9zero
Posts
1454
Joined
9/26/2010
Location
Kamloops B.C, CA
2/24/2016 9:49pm
My son and I started last summer. It's been a blast. We race 2 nights a week and they always had the track open for practice an hour before to get warmed up. As guys said the start is EVERYTHING. I raced the 40+ cruiser class and loved it. I picked up a newer used Haro race bike for $250 & it worked great. I actually upgraded some parts over the summer and had fun building the bike up. Check out an online shop called Dan's comp they have everything you will need and sometimes good deals on non current bikes.
three9zero
Posts
1454
Joined
9/26/2010
Location
Kamloops B.C, CA
2/24/2016 9:54pm
Also check out a Facebook group called 24,26,29 inch Bmx cruisers only. Lots of cool discussions and photo sharing on there
johnnymf0
Posts
102
Joined
8/3/2014
Location
San Martin, CA, USA
2/24/2016 9:57pm
jasonv43 wrote:
Here's what I'm running right now. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/24/125315/s1200_image1.jpg[/img] And here's what I used to race. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/24/125318/s1200_IMG_2110.jpg[/img]
Here's what I'm running right now.



And here's what I used to race.



That Auburn is badass! The pedals bring back some painfull memories, my shins are covered in scars from those damn things lol.
JeepnMike
Posts
2525
Joined
10/18/2012
Location
Enumclaw, WA, USA
2/24/2016 10:08pm
You didn't mention how old your son is?

We are at the races here in the Seattle area every_single_weekend. I have a 5 year old boy and a 9 year old boy that both race. I ride the tracks plenty with them on my 20" Ripper XL, but don't race per se (I did for years growing up). Most tracks are open for riding when sanctioned events aren't going on, so go to the track and ride and have some fun! Go watch some races with your son and if it clicks, you have an awesome VERY family sport, that is about as healthy as you can get. I would definitely say go ride the tracks a bit though before committing too deep, it isn't as easy as it looks :D

If you guys do get the bug, brace yourself... Race fees are usually 10-15$ for a normal weekend, so not bad. But you will spend a bit more on bikes and parts than you may think Wink
jasonv43
Posts
10283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2/24/2016 10:15pm
jasonv43 wrote:
Here's what I'm running right now. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/24/125315/s1200_image1.jpg[/img] And here's what I used to race. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/24/125318/s1200_IMG_2110.jpg[/img]
Here's what I'm running right now.



And here's what I used to race.



johnnymf0 wrote:
That Auburn is badass! The pedals bring back some painfull memories, my shins are covered in scars from those damn things lol.
Yes she is. I used to take it to the track but everybody kept busting my ass to stop riding it. I didn't want to mess up the overall finish so I parked it in favor of the Specialized I'm currently riding.

I've got scars too buddy. Good times.Wink
1

Post a reply to: Starting BMX

The Latest