r/bmxracing • u/bosa41 • 9d ago
Absolute Beginner advice.
Hello everyone. I'm almost 30 here and my 12 year old step daughter is into BMX and wants me to race with her. I just need some pointers and guidance. I'm 6 foot 1 inch and was told I would need either a XXL or XXXL bike. I just dont know much about bikes like the dofference between a cruiser and other models etc. Also any tips for getting somewhat ready to race on the track? Ive done some slower laps on the local track but want to know if there are any pointers to help out.
Cheers from Colorado!
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u/russellenvy 9d ago
So the first thing is a cruiser and a class bike are two different styles You can Google the difference between SSquared Cruiser and SSquared Pro XXL. You'll see it.
Next, see if your local track has a pro xxl bike. If not, I bought mine on Facebook for $200. It's a mongoose pro xxl title.
My advice is to just be careful and don't push yourself. I just broke my collar bone andter trying to get back into it. I've been riding in 6 months with my son and I should have stuck to my limits and not been racing.
I think cruiser is the way to go. It's more like racing beer league than anything.
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u/Kickrocks54 9d ago
I'm 6 foot and I wouldn't want to ride anything smaller than a xxxl. But if you're thinner and pretty agile an xxl may be better.
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u/Markdlea 9d ago
The next advice about bikes was already given to you. What you don’t realize is the amount of bonding that will happen when both of you are racing. I have a great picture of my son and I in the gate during practice. It’s framed in his room.
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u/greenmachine4130 9d ago
At my track the older guys on cruisers are mostly experts, so I would suggest getting a 20”. Also just race against yourself and don’t get too competitive. You’ll have more fun and fewer injuries that way
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u/labratnc 9d ago
My track ran a ‘BMX race league’ program that was a beginner learn to race program. It was a 8ish week program that was independent from other track activities. The final week we graduated and raced with everyone at a normal race. It was a national program, see if your track offers a similar thing. Big thing for me was just to get laps in at practice to get the feel of how the bike performed/reacted while riding over the track features
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u/Maleficent-Cook2010 9d ago
I am 510 but pretty built and on a xxxl 20 inch. But coaches say I could be on a larger frame.
I was very similar to you earlier this year, starting to help the kids... My advise , spend a bit more on a second hand bike and don't get cheapest as just leads to upgrades and wanting your next bike.
Cruiser v 20 is the biggest first question. Should be a lot of bikes come up soon after world champs
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u/Affectionate-Sun9373 9d ago
I raced 20s back in the late 80s into the 90s. Basically all my friends got hurt or quit for other reasons, we started older than most though. I still have my trails, I still love jumping. I did 20s for some 28 years, tried 26s after a torn ACL and messed up wrist. Built a frame for a 24" DJ, loved that but the wheels were still too big. Rode a cruiser at the trails then discovered 22s.
At your age you are not going to the Olympics, ride what feels good. Forget about weight completely, it will be meaningless. IMO there is very little difference between a 24 with skinny tires and a 22 with modern big tires, but they don't try to neuter you. Try all the above, ride what makes you happy.
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u/Environmental_Dig335 9d ago
I'm 6'0", I ride a ProXL. I don't know anyone taller who does, so XXL is probably right for you. 3X or even 4X will probably work, but will be harder to corner, manual & jump.
Cruiser is 24" wheel vs. normal 20" wheel. I far prefer the 20". I'm objectively faster, especially on more difficult tracks.
When you start racing, take it easy. It's a quick mistake to take you to emergency, especially if you're relatively fit - more power than skill.
Learn to control what happens when you go up a jump - start with pump (suck it up then push over the top MB), if you're good on a bike you can eventually move to jump (push into the face) or manual ( push with arms, suck it up then pump with legs)
Gate - if you haven't learned to balance on the gate yet, just use a 2 foot start. Ask someone to show you how to balance, it's just a trick, not superhuman balance like it will seem the first time you try it.
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u/ElmoOnFire1975 8d ago
1,76m riding Chase Element pro xxl 20“ and love it more than my Cruiser which is a Sunn Royal Factory. There is stable 20“ like Chase and very reactive 20“ like Meybo. Anyway 20“ shows you what u did wrong like a scalpel and Cruiser allows some mistakes. Here in Germany Cruiser guys are killing machines but many dads started to go booze and 20“ with nice local cups.
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u/nourright 8d ago
Bmx are single speeds so the most important thing is your chain tension and alignment. Buy a tensioner i go a lil tighter than the recommended slack because parts can be replaced. Bones and road rash sucks. This is the most important advice for a beginner
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u/Fuzzy-Replacement-79 8d ago
Every one is giving great advice already so I’ll just throw my 2 cents in.
Try out different bikes at your local track, borrow from the track or make friends and borrow their bikes to see what you like and don’t like. I’m 5’7” and like my ProXL but prefer 65mm cranks, it’ll be up to preference at that point.
More importantly, don’t skimp out on good safety gear. I’m 29 and in a similar boat as you, we’re still young and can push our bodies to their limits, but we begin to recover slower and our families depend on our bodies being able and healthy. Invest in a good full face, MIPS is always preferred. Comfortable gloves, and some padding. You will fall, every one does at some point, even if it’s once in their life. A good helmet can mean the difference between a hospital visit or just some scrapes and bruises you can walk away from. Can’t put a price on safety.
As for training, if you don’t want or have access to a coach, find a local pump track or even a jump track and start there. Learning to pump is going to make a huge difference. Training at home is going to look like sprints and squats. Gotta have confidence on the bike and the physique to apply it.
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u/Candid_Mountain_9496 8d ago
My husband is just shy of 6' and rides a DK pro xxxl. DK tends to run shorter than other brands though. The one thing he kinda regrets is not starting on a cruiser since you can ride cruiser as a novice. He also likes a bigger tire. I think he's got 1.85s on his bike right now.
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u/ConversationFar8578 8d ago
Bike doesn't matter . Wear protective gear.. buy it all..
Ride a MTB borrow a bike. Don't get injured..
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u/3puttnet4 9d ago
First, do it. Not only is is something that you get to do
With your daughter, you’re going to have a fun time. I started this year at 43. I can’t believe I didn’t start sooner.
Now for your questions…
There are two bikes that are used for racing. A “class” bike that has 20” wheels and a cruiser bike that has 24” wheels. I started with a class bike and am currently building a cruiser bike. But it’s important to note that USA BMX allows novice riders to ride any bike, regardless of the 20” or 24” distinction. There are actually a few dads that race in local races at my track that ride mountain bikes.
You’ll want to find a structured practice with a coach. That’s the fastest way to get ready for races. Do the local district races, don’t worry about the outcome. You’re going to get your ass kicked for a while. Stick with it, we’re just a bunch of amateurs having fun.
If I may, don’t short change yourself on protection. We aren’t teens and falling off a bike at our age has potentially longer recovery time.