Noob 24" BMX questions

[redbeandonut]

Hi
I'm thinking of getting a 24" BMX after having a go on a mates SE floval flyer.
I dont want to spend more than $500 max which rules out the flyer.
I've been looking at the DK general lee which has similar geometry and seems to get good reviews.
There is a mongoose level 24 in the for sale section which comes with a front brake and pegs over the general lee and retails for a bit more new. It also seems to be quite heavy at ~16kg as far as i could find out and has longer chain stays than the DK.
I'll probably be doing a bit of street and DJ (i'm a beginer though so i wont be going huge)
Does anyone have experiance with the mongoose? or recomend any other 24" bike that might fit the bill?

I did a search but couldn't find much info on the mongoose

[melbourne rider]

http://forums.farkin.net/forumdisplay.php?f=170

lots of good bmx's in there.

i would seriously recomend a 20" bmx. alot more maneuverable and better IMO.

plus. easier to get parts for.

[redbeandonut]

should have mentioned that I'm 6'4" which as far as i have been able to find out means that if i got a 20" the frame would still have to be similar in size to fit me and since I'm also not exactly young anymore and don't bounce quite as well as I used to i'd rather have the smoother rolling 24" wheels than a bike that can easily do big spins and other moves I'm unlikely to want to try.

I currently have a 17kg ish DH/FR bike and a couple of bikes with 700C wheels so i'm sure a 24" will feel plenty manuverable.

PS wont the only really diferent parts be the rims, frame and fork?

[melbourne rider]

should have mentioned that I'm 6'4" which as far as i have been able to find out means that if i got a 20" the frame would still have to be similar in size to fit me and since I'm also not exactly young anymore and don't bounce quite as well as I used to i'd rather have the smoother rolling 24" wheels than a bike that can easily do big spins and other moves I'm unlikely to want to try.


so... im 6.3" and getting taller

bmx is mad, up to you though

[hubbie]

if you're determined to go 24", i'd probably suggest going down the MTB line, like a DMR or similar. not a fan of any 24" bmx's. probably easier for parts too

[sawtell]

probably easier for parts too



for what reason????

[hubbie]

tons of mtb companies making 24" forks, potential frames for upgrade etc, but yes, most other parts are universal apart from that. just more of a 24" mtb fan than 24" bmx personally

[sawtell]

tons of mtb companies making 24" forks, potential frames for upgrade etc, but yes, most other parts are universal apart from that. just more of a 24" mtb fan than 24" bmx personally


sorry i just hate people who give out bullshit info to people asking questions. did you read what you just wrote???

you said that it is easier to get parts for a 24 inch MTB then a 24 inch BMX.. i asked for what reason.. you said its easier to get forks, and frames... in my knowledge, i dont think it matter at all if you put MTB "branded forks' on a bmx... nor would it matter if you grabbed all the bmx 'branded parts' from the orignal 24 inch bike, and put them on a 24 inch mtb frame.. you may have issues with HUB spaceing and size, but these days more and more MTB frames are going to BMX size any way.... have a look at every 24inch mtb in the shops or custom built and i guarrante you it has one BMX part on it..


i know its just your opinion, but get a better one. . :)

[redbeandonut]

So I bought the the general lee (http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=66423)
It's lots of fun but looks like I might need to upgrade a few things a bit earlier thann I intended.

1. BB, it's unsealed and when I took it DJing managed to suck in quite a bit of dirt, I've made it a nice little condom out of inner tube but I'm looking to get sealed eventually. Total BMX list a cycle design US sealed BB for $99 and redline monster for $149. Are these any good? (I don't want to get profiles or whatever that cost almost as much as the bike)

2. Rim, My laughable atempts to 180 hop put quite a big bend in it (due to loose spoke tension) I've tightened and trued the wheel but it's still not great so I'm looking for a 24" 48 hole rim, SUN BFR and dice SMO look pretty much indestructable, any other options?

3. brakes, the stock U brakes are crap with no modulation and not much power. Is that because of the anodised rim? will machind side walls help?

[RevellBikes]

So I bought the the general lee (http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=66423)
It's lots of fun but looks like I might need to upgrade a few things a bit earlier thann I intended.

1. BB, it's unsealed and when I took it DJing managed to suck in quite a bit of dirt, I've made it a nice little condom out of inner tube but I'm looking to get sealed eventually. Total BMX list a cycle design US sealed BB for $99 and redline monster for $149. Are these any good? (I don't want to get profiles or whatever that cost almost as much as the bike)

2. Rim, My laughable atempts to 180 hop put quite a big bend in it (due to loose spoke tension) I've tightened and trued the wheel but it's still not great so I'm looking for a 24" 48 hole rim, SUN BFR and dice SMO look pretty much indestructable, any other options?

3. brakes, the stock U brakes are crap with no modulation and not much power. Is that because of the anodised rim? will machind side walls help?

those cranks should do the job fines, as for the rim i would go for the Sun BFR and get it in chrome for better braking and for brakes i think you should trying getting some new good brake pads and a linear cable, it will should make a difference if set up properly