I’m a mid 30’s Novice and hadn’t been on a BMX bike or track in over 20 years until August this year, where I got some practice sessions and a couple races in at my local. I got one 3rd place podium and now I’m hooked, but my season was cut short by the birth of my twins in September. Between the practice sessions and 2 races I was able to get in, I was able to figure out pretty quickly what I suck at (pretty much everything..) so I’m going to be spending a lot of time here in the garage over this Ohio winter. I’m most committed to learning how to manual and develop some sense of how to handle the rhythm sections/rollers, so I built a “manual machine” out of some scraps I had. I’m terrible at jumping too, but I figure I need to learn the manual first.

Any tips for a n00b?

Hi! I have a daughter who turned 2 a couple months ago. She loves ripping around on her balance bike and we spend a lot of time at the skate park / pump track in town. I would like to have her try the BMX racing in the spring in the balance bike category, and I read that she will be required to wear a full face helmet if she wants to try that. Given she will eventually need one, and how she seems to want to do more and more and the skate park, we got her this helmet.

I am pretty certain the size is right, since her regular Giro scamp bike helmet is size XS (45-49cm), and I still need to tighten it up, and the full face helmet (size XS) is measured for 48-51cm. However, when I try to put it on her, it feels like I will need to shove it on to get her head to get past the padding at the bottom. After starting to try, my daughter goes "no no no" as she obviously doesn't like me pushing the helmet down on her. We still haven't gotten her to fully try it on yet..

Is this normal? Should it always be a tight squeeze to get it on? Are there tips on how to properly put it on to limit the sense of having to force it on her? I know the padding is supposed to squeeze in a bit on the cheeks, but just trying to figure out how to put it on properly.

Thanks!!

I inherited 177.5mm cranks with the used bike I bought to race with my 4 year old son and 5 year old daughter.

I finally put it together and took it for a quick shake down spin around the block. Feels awesome except the crank length... Doesn't quite feel right. Like there is a dead spot in my rotation because it feels like I'm turning a Ferris wheel around 😅

For reference I'm 6'1" with 32 inch inseam.

I am also a mountain biker that went down to 170mm cranks a few years ago primarily to gain clearance over obstacles so I'm used to shorter cranks. Other than 4 BMX races I did this year on a borrowed bike from the track with 175mm cranks I have no other reference point.

Does anyone else out there have a 32 inch inseam and ride 177.5mm cranks?

Just wondering if I should just get used to it or definitely consider going down to 175mm at some point?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Hi, My son is turning 3 soon and currently rides a woom 2. He loves the local pump track but I am from Gozo (Malta) and competition here for his age is unfortunately practically none.

I am looking to get him a bmx race bike or a decent bike that can be used to race around the track. Budget is 300 euro. I will be going to the uk in december or else it needs to be something available in europe.

Currently considering a VITUS 16 or a GT Mach one 16. Any feedback would be appreciated

I had a what my orthopedist called a ‘catastrophic hand injury’ a few years ago with several broken bones/dislocated fingers and soft tissue/nerve damage. I want to race with my daughter. My physical therapist told me I should find/try larger diameter grips because I can’t close down my hand into a tight fist post injury. On my road bike I double wrapped my bars in thick lizard skin tape and it really helped my ability to grip/control the bars.
Does anyone know of ‘thick’ and firm (so not overly squishy) grips. Hate I can’t walk into a shop these days and try them out. Would like something lock on.

Hi all. I'm doing a secret santa and the child I got wants a BMX bike as his "ultimate wish list" item. He seems tall-ish (men's 11 shoe), is 16 years old and already rides a bit. Any ideas on size and style? Is it possible to find one for under $300?

Thank you!

Has anyone tried any of the paid online racing training?

I'm interested in opinions from folks on what program/coach they tried and if they felt it was beneficial. This would be for a relatively new expert rider (teen) or possibly for myself (definitely not a teen).

Contemplating adding a cruiser, for my son (10i) to race next season. To those who race both , what’s been your experience? Any downsides, besides expense? Thanks.

I am from Brazil, but I am planning a training season in the USA. What is the best place (best coaches, teams, etc.)?

I gotta frame and ready to build it up. I have always been on 175mm cranks cause back in the day that just what we ran. but I keep thinking going a tad shorter maybe 170s anyone else in this boat? I have 175mm on my cruiser but that was just a used bike to get back into the game. I’m ready for the 20” and the pain that comes with it.

I want everyone’s opinion. Building my son a mini. Trying to figure out correct gearing. I’m trying to figure out do I go with a 16 tooth cog or a tooth cog. Some people said the 15 tooth is easier to spin and get going off the gate, but others referring to Rennen have stated that in a comparison of the seam gear in rollout between 15 tooth and 16 tooth, there’s no difference.

I’ve read multiple places that for mini rollout should be between 48 and 49 gear inches. I’m just trying to figure out. Do I do a tooth in the back or 15 tooth.

Right now, my five year-old intermediate has been using a borrowed bike with a 16 tooth in the back, 38.8 chain ring. He can snap an awesome gate, but usually by the first corner, a kid that is a couple months older than him, but has a couple inches and weight on him is passing him off. I don’t think my son is a spinner, I think he’s more power. But I know at this age, we should be teaching them to spin it to win it, but I don’t want to gear him down too much rockets out, but the other kids are passing them off because he has gears.

I plan on taking him to his first national in January at Blue Ridge, I’m really not expecting much from him, but I want him to be able to compete and have a good time

Ever since I was a little kid I have always wanted to race on a BMX track. A brands new USABMX track just opened by me so I'm giving it a try. I'm also putting my daughter in the balance bike races. She is having blast.

Hi everyone!

I'm looking to ahead to next season and trying to figure out what frame size / top tube I should be looking at for next year. Our riding season where we live is from April to October w/ the occasional race we travel to in Feb.

He spent the past season on an Expert Meybo Holeshot. I'm not sure if I should move him to an Expert XL or a Pro? Would be really nice to get more than 1 season on a frame LOL. I think we're on his 6th bike now since we started when he was 5 and he almost always raced on a frame that was too big for him until this past season. It's probably a bit early to know what frame size to get him for next season, but our team for 2025 is wondering for the order from Meybo.

Thanks in advance.

Anyone in here attending this year? I’ll be in 46-50 intermediate class.

In the world of BMX racing everyone uses aluminum or alloy pedals instead of plastic pedals, why is this? It seems like plastic would be the better option due to weight factors.

Old story, The year i believe was 2012 and my daughter had out grown her expert frame, she was only 5'3 115 lbs still running 1" steer tube and 1 3/8" wheels. My daughter was short but had longer legs. At the time i couldnt find a top tube above 20" with a 1" steer tube. After talking with some people at our local track i found out that a friend of had ordered a custom formula for his son . But it didnt come in how they wanted ( they wanted bigger steer tube ) The frame was new and hanging on the wall for the last 4 years. I drove up to the shop and offered a $120. It was perfect! 1" steer tube, took 1 3/8" wheels with a 21" top tube! She ran that bike till she was 16. Lots of great memories.

https://preview.redd.it/ubfo6jq68c1e1.jpg?width=3844&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ebc9590f6a311ab97df8f0a65cba2410df08314

https://preview.redd.it/turm00u78c1e1.jpg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6100de45d71ef3c49f45d2e1d1034a3600aade3a

I'm pretty stoked on the build even if it's giving off some Globo Gym vibes. She wanted to go all in on the purple once we got this frame . Not sure it's gonna make her any faster (don't be fooled by the State 1 plate!) but at least she'll look good.

• DK Professional (Pro XL)
• Profile hubs laced to Sun rims
• Vee Speedsters 1.50"
• Answer 162.5mm cranks
• Helium Junior pedals
• Box uni-seat w carbon post
• Sinz carbon bars
• Origin8 brake arms, Box One pads, Shimano STX lever
• Elevn forks (for now...)
• 43:16 gearing

We've got Answer forks rattle-canned to match the sidewalls just need to get the crown race adapter for the tapered head tube.

I currently use a 22 inch top tube at 5’7. I have heard it allows better stability while riding and how a shorter frame has better control for jumping ¿. However much sizes are preference, what are the pros and cons for a shorter frame/ longer frame