| It's been on my heart to write this article for | | | | That said, invest in three piece aluminum cranks |
| some time now. This article is written to serve | | | | or one piece aluminum, titanium, or chromoly or |
| parents everywhere when shopping for their boy | | | | whatever other space-shuttle type of materials |
| or girl's first BMX bike! | | | | they have! Don't opt-out for regular steel cranks. |
| For over 7 years I operated my own bike shop | | | | Get a bike that has a lifetime or at least a |
| out of my parents home in Mesa, Arizona, | | | | twenty year frame warranty. |
| Donnie's Bicycle Shop, and it thrills me to no end | | | | If you want to buy a vintage BMX bike from |
| to be able to share some key information with | | | | e-bay or a local auction, invest in the 1984 |
| you! | | | | Schwinn Sting. That bike is totally bad to the bone |
| First, let's talk about BMX bike names and where | | | | man. Any newer versions of the Schwinn Sting |
| you should or shouldn't buy your son or | | | | should be purchased as well. |
| daughter's first bike. You can't go wrong with | | | | Ok, let's talk about rims. Rims need to be light. So |
| Haro. HARO BMX has been around for so long | | | | many BMX bikes have heavy bulky rims. Rims |
| and they keep coming up with new and | | | | should be lightweight alloy. Also, you want to |
| innovative designs. Also, Diamond Back is | | | | request sealed bearing hubs because they don't |
| trustworthy, lightweight, and again, the company | | | | require any maintenance, almost ever, and they |
| is rock solid. Red-Line BMX is also highly | | | | make them on the best BMX bikes everywhere. |
| recommended. | | | | Also, trust your child. If they love the bike, it's the |
| Mongoose is my BMX line of choice when | | | | bike for them. But let them know you love them |
| purchased from a real bike shop that knows what | | | | enough to request upgrades on the rims, tires, |
| they are doing. Mongoose has been making BMX | | | | and brakes! |
| bikes that kick everybody's tails for years, and | | | | Also, BMX bikes should have mid-range to best |
| they make the most beautiful bikes! But your | | | | brakes. |
| going to have to consult your local real bike shop | | | | Get alloy again, or high dollar brakes. This is your |
| owner, because you don't want to buy from | | | | child's safety for goodness sakes! You know how |
| Wal-Mart or other chain store. Also, you may | | | | many cheap brakes there are on BMX bikes? You |
| want to contact Mongoose directly and request a | | | | don't want to know, believe me. I've broken |
| race-bike BMX catalogue only. | | | | several myself over the years! |
| My first BMX bike was a bike called the JAG BMX | | | | If the bike offers it, it's ok to get the standard |
| by Mongoose, and the bike served me well for | | | | hub that breaks with their right leg as well, and |
| many years. If you can get ahold of one, it's sure | | | | handbrakes, double the stopping power! Also, out |
| worth it. My first bike had a glossy cream-orange | | | | in Mesa, Arizona, I can't count all the times I've |
| frame, with white MotoMags. I recommend | | | | fishtailed with my BMX bike with that feature! You |
| Motomags. But be careful, no Motomag imitations, | | | | may not get that on some of the higher end |
| and there are a ton of them. The mag has to | | | | bikes, but onmany you still will! Ask for both if |
| say Motomag on it. | | | | they have it, the coaster brake style with |
| A word about grips! Today's BMX bikes are | | | | handbrakes! |
| coming out with some of the most uncomfortable | | | | Invest in a mid-range helmet, that is ANSI |
| grips for the kids' hands! Have the bike shop | | | | Certified and is labeled by them. Get gloves that |
| owner show you the array of grips available, and | | | | are of excellent quality as well. Every BMX bike |
| to me, a foam style is the best, or a really soft | | | | should have goosekneck, handlebar, and top |
| gel rubber is ok too. I always loved the foam | | | | frame pads, bare minimum, do not let your child |
| grips when jumping because theyabsorb the | | | | take the bike without them. |
| shock of the fall! | | | | Frames that are welded should have beautiful |
| Watch out for GT's Dyno line. The frames on | | | | thick welds that you'd want to eat off them. |
| most of them are not as solid and if you don't | | | | Don't buy any bike with ugly looking welds. Also, |
| believe me, go to your neighborhood thrift store, | | | | watch out for over priced bikes that have |
| and you'll see a ton of GT Dyno's. I personally | | | | beautiful welds but low componentry. |
| would not buy my son or daughter a GT bike, | | | | I always like to buy my BMX bikes with similar |
| unless it was one of their top of the line models. I | | | | equipment too! If hubs, cranks, brakes, and so |
| also had a problem airborne with them upon | | | | forth are all Shimano, that's a good thing. The bike |
| landing, when compared to the awesome | | | | is Shimano equipped. I'd steer clear of BMX bikes |
| Mongoose BMX, my dad bought for me at the | | | | that have lightweight handlebars, but heavy |
| local bike shop in Mesa. | | | | cranks, hubs, and are made by 10 different |
| Buy your child's bike from a regular bike shop. Do | | | | companies! |
| not buy it at Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, or Sam's | | | | In conclusion, there are only a few key things to |
| Club. These bikes carry the names Schwinn, | | | | remember. Weight. Get the lowest weight rims, |
| Mongoose, and more, but let me guarantee you, | | | | hubs, and components that are of the highest |
| they are not the real Mccoy! | | | | quality. It is ok to have a heavier frame, but don't |
| That said, also watch out for high pressure bike | | | | compromise on wheels, tires, or most of |
| salespeople. Believe it or not, they are out there! | | | | all-brakes! Buy a Haro, Diamond-Back, Red-Line, or |
| If they have such a good product, why do they | | | | Mongoose from a Bike Dealer, and your going to |
| have to pressure sale you? | | | | be happy! Don't buy from the local chain stores |
| Back to brand names. If you are going to buy a | | | | anymore, ever! Buy direct from your local bike |
| Schwinn, Mongoose, or other formerly | | | | shop that knows BMX! |
| well-trusted bike, deal with the company directly | | | | Lastly, have fun, and jump! If you can't jump the |
| or a reputable bike shop in the area. You won't | | | | bike, don't buy it. The frames should be cleared |
| find any Wal-Mart | | | | for jumping! And remember, most of all, your |
| BMX bikes in your local bicycle shop! | | | | BMX bike will be a part of your son or daughter's |
| Now, as to hardware! If you're going to get your | | | | life for at least 5-7 years, so go ahead, spend a |
| son or daughter a bike make sure you invest in | | | | couple hundred more for better components. And |
| ultra lightweight aluminum or chromoly rims. So | | | | remember, to hit a ramp, fly up, hold the bars, |
| many bikes out there are being sold with cheap | | | | kick the rear wheel out, and just hang on, feeling |
| rims and cranksets. | | | | nothing but the air and rising above the earth, on |
| It's worth the extra one to two hundred dollars | | | | a BMX Bike, is something your child will never |
| to get your child the very best components. | | | | ever forget and will pass on from generation to |
| They will last longer and your child will have one | | | | generation. |
| of the best and baddest BMX bikes on the block! | | | | |