A little something for the two or three other BMX fans out there

David S. Wallens wrote: These are concrete parks, so I'm honestly not sure why bikes aren't allowed. Not a TA, cool on the Cyclecrafts. I still have my Cyclecraft cruiser.

Mine was a custom lightweight version, think they told me 140 lb max. Keep your eyes out for it cruising CL etc. I'd love to have it back. When it was stolen (in FL) it looked almost just like in this pic from one of the NBL Grands. Black Redline cranks, Revcore bars, aluminum seat post, and there's a notch filed into the chainstay brace in the center so the center row of "knobs" on the bigger diameter tires wouldn't rub because I ran my wheel forward to make it easier to speed jump.

[URL=http://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/scan%20pics/Scan_Pic0022.jpg.html][/URL]

David S. Wallens wrote: Also, for those adults thinking about a BMX, I am still digging my 22-inch S&M. It's built around this frame: http://www.sandmbikes.com/product/hardgoods/frames/atf-frame-for-22-wheel/

I've looked at the 22's, but am leaning more towards a 24" or even a 26" because I'd really be using it to bomb around the neighborhood and get my fat butt in shape rather than for racing (yet). Once I get to the point that riding to the end of the street doesn't make my knees scream and have me collapsing over in pain, I'd start looking to more of a full built race bike.

Problem is, I need to do some cleanout before bringing another bike home. Was getting into the vintage stuff pretty hard and then my son discovered karting..... So, at the moment I'm sitting on:

1) Full tilt (in parts now) Dragonfly flatland bike
2) NOS Skyway Streetbeat frame that I built for a VBMX competition. New tuffs and lots of NOS parts. (also in pieces)
3) One built and one frame/fork Mosh Lynn Kastan Pro 4) One Mosh Kastan cruiser frame and fork
5) My son's Redline Microline before he discovered karts
6) Two GT frame/forks. One 1984, one 1986 (which is rusty)
7) Two sad looking GT zoot scoots
8) A newer Proline expert
9) And a bunch of parts.....
10) and I think I have a GT Performer FF in there somewhere

Anyone interested in clearing out some of my stuff? Now that I've typed it out, I realize that I need to work on that this weekend.

-Rob

Lots of cool old toys there in the pics. I've still got my Bully Piston XL which from when I finished up racing 17 expert in the NBL. I couldn't bring myself to sell it so guess it's time for some fresh tires and I can chase the boys around on their bikes in the neighborhood. I'll have to scan in some of the old pics from my racing years!

Not A TA, my Cyclecraft cruiser has a pro-sized frame. I don't think it's an XL, but it's not a mini. I used to ride with Shag, and he thinks that Brian Foster might have painted mine. I need to dig it out. It's fairly beat but still all there. I bought it used, and someone spent some money putting together: Flight cranks, Bullseye hubs, Ambrosio rims, butted spokes, etc. I paid like $200 for it in 1994.

While getting ready for this past weekend I found my old UGP pads. For kicks I threw them on the S&M. Bam, instant retro bike--or at least retro enough to get some nice comments. Plus I found an old UGP plate that I never used. Ronnie from UGP saw it and thinks it might be one of, if not the first, retro BMX products. I'll snap and post a photo of it later.

And speaking of old-school BMX, we're discussing some kind of old-guy BMX event at our local skatepark here in Ormond Beach, Florida. I'm not talking about a contest--more like a hangout.

rob_lewis wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: Also, for those adults thinking about a BMX, I am still digging my 22-inch S&M. It's built around this frame: http://www.sandmbikes.com/product/hardgoods/frames/atf-frame-for-22-wheel/

I've looked at the 22's, but am leaning more towards a 24" or even a 26" because I'd really be using it to bomb around the neighborhood and get my fat butt in shape rather than for racing (yet). Once I get to the point that riding to the end of the street doesn't make my knees scream and have me collapsing over in pain, I'd start looking to more of a full built race bike. Problem is, I need to do some cleanout before bringing another bike home. Was getting into the vintage stuff pretty hard and then my son discovered karting..... So, at the moment I'm sitting on: 1) Full tilt (in parts now) Dragonfly flatland bike 2) NOS Skyway Streetbeat frame that I built for a VBMX competition. New tuffs and lots of NOS parts. (also in pieces) 3) One built and one frame/fork Mosh Lynn Kastan Pro 4) One Mosh Kastan cruiser frame and fork 5) My son's Redline Microline before he discovered karts 6) Two GT frame/forks. One 1984, one 1986 (which is rusty) 7) Two sad looking GT zoot scoots 8) A newer Proline expert 9) And a bunch of parts..... 10) and I think I have a GT Performer FF in there somewhere Anyone interested in clearing out some of my stuff? Now that I've typed it out, I realize that I need to work on that this weekend. -Rob

I might be able to help you out Rob- if you aren't in a big hurry!

Especially if any of it falls into the grown up sized needs a fixing up category.

Feel free to email me at owensdad74 with the Google mails.

I wish I had been able to hold on to mine. I got a Supergoose for my birthday in 84 which was stolen a year later. My dad replaced it with a Diamond Back Viper that mad it to 87. I didn't race anywhere but around town but when I got mine my dad got himself a 26" Schwinn Sidewinder to ride to work and we used to go out pretty much every weekend. I broke a lot of bones on those bikes.

A few observations at the Nationals from an old man that hasn't really been around it for years:

1) As I mentioned above, I was blown away by the sheer number of riders. It was easily over 1000 entries. From 4 year old novices to Olympic Pros.
2) It was my second time to see that track, but first to watch racing on it. I was surprised at how much of a pump track it was. Only the Elite Pro's really got any air, and that was only on one jump and not very high. Lower is faster, but BITD, the jumps were still designed to require air.
3) With the above, it really made me realize I could ride it (after a weight drop)
4) Although clips were common, not everyone was using them. I don't know that I could and would be more concerned about my knees if I did.
5) Bikes, for the most part, are the same. Sure, different brands, different tubing designs (one company using squared off tubes), but nothing an old BMX'er wouldn't recognize
6) One cool thing I saw was a number of guys had a seat post insert and a quick release seat post clamp. When riding around the pits or staging to get limbered up, they would have this insert in that would raise the seat way up making it easier on the knees to sit and pedal. When it was time to race, they'd just remove it and slam the seat down. Really cool idea!
7) I found the wheels sizes interesting. BITD it was 20" or 24". Period. I know the small kids can use 18" rims and the cruiser classes seem to allow 24"/26"/29", some with front suspension. I didn't catch anyone racing a 22" inch, but I wouldn't have known to look for it. Would it be legal in the 20" class?
8) Finally, it was cool to see that it was still a family sport, but there were a lot more older riders than were BITD.

-Rob

I'm honestly not sure if a 22 races as a 20 or a cruiser, but I have heard that with the right tires they can be legal for the 20-inch class.

http://cruiserrevolution.com/tag/22-wheel-bmx-race-bikes/

I just find the 22 a bit roomier and more stable that the 20. I have been riding cruisers for 20+ years, too. Hopefully the 22 catches on because at some point I'll need tires.

Also, last night we discussed the next build. Decisions, decisions.

cant wait till my daughter is old enough to ride a bike and i can use it as an excuse to buy myself a bike again. something along these lines of course.

http://www.newson6.com/story/31660855/national-track-stadium-bmx-headquarters-moving-to-tulsa

This is kind of cool, being my hometown and all.

This makes me want to buy my 04 haro back(its just sat since i sold it). The funniest part of this is i traded a haro master frame that we found in a pond for the frame i ended up building.

Im not old enough for the real retro stuff but i wouldnt mind another performer id just leave the pegs off so i dont bend axles!

http://www.redbull.com/us/en/bike/stories/1331656486214/berm-burners-2014-event-recap

Basically, for most people a 26" MTBMX is going to be faster and more stable, unless you're a pro on the tiny wheels.

mndsm wrote: Every time you bring this crap up, i start hunting frickin vintage bmx.

Once, I looked up how much some of the bikes I lost/gave away/scrapped are worth now, and then I stopped looking.

Knurled wrote:

mndsm wrote: Every time you bring this crap up, i start hunting frickin vintage bmx.

Once, I looked up how much some of the bikes I lost/gave away/scrapped are worth now, and then I stopped looking.

Or bikes that I would have been laughed off the trails had I shown up on are now more than a car....

-Rob

In reply to rob_lewis:

This is the part that's getting me. I can understand the primo bikes from back then would still get top dollar today. Like Hutch Trick Stars and Haro Masters.

But even the entry level stuff- in rough condition- seems to be fetching a premium.

Does anyone know of a realistic place to check bike values?

Edit: I like the idea of older riders showing up at bmx events. This gives me hope of finding a fun way to get in shape and get together with like minded folks. I wonder what the scene is like here in MI...

These are concrete parks, so I'm honestly not sure why bikes aren't allowed.

because you guys dent the berkeleying coping and pegs make chips & cracks in the transitions when you bail out.

Today was the final day of the Florida BMX skatepark series, and I was talking with a friend while there. He agreed: For us old guys, don't get hung up on a vintage bike. Why? Get something that you can ride.

Found this today for pretty cheap. I'm hoping the little androids will get into wrenching on it with me.

Anyone have any idea what year it is? The SE site only goes back to '06, and I don't see the same graphics on there.

Given that it has canti-mounts for the rear brake, and an inch and an eighth steer tube/stem, its gotta be circa late nineties, if not later. Vee-brakes are still the standard in entry/mid level racing BMX bikes. Freestyle stuff has had U-brakes stock since the late nineties.

Also, because TBT...Me, approx 2000, at a local park here in Northern Cincinnati, Joyce Park concrete skatepark

I would have to scan the pictures (like, real pictures) of my old stuff but I found this one from 02/03 or so of my retro...

It was 209 of the 250 they made, rode like crap though...

4cylndrfury wrote: Given that it has canti-mounts for the rear brake, and an inch and an eighth steer tube/stem, its gotta be circa late nineties, if not later. Vee-brakes are still the standard in entry/mid level racing BMX bikes. Freestyle stuff has had U-brakes stock since the late nineties.

Thanks for the input! For such a common (low buck) model I'm surprised I can't find it on teh Googles. I'll keep searching.

Great image BTW!

David S. Wallens wrote: These are concrete parks, so I'm honestly not sure why bikes aren't allowed. Not a TA, cool on the Cyclecrafts. I still have my Cyclecraft cruiser.

In my experience (as a skateboarder) the bikes weren't allowed ESPECIALLY at concrete parks with concrete coping because the pegs would chunk giant pieces out frequently. Wood parks with metal coping holds up to that stuff with bikes much better than concrete (and easier to replace). Skateboard grind the coping down slowly over time but I've seen many a BMX bike with pegs destroy pool coping with the extra weight and force.

4cylndrfury wrote: Also, because TBT...Me, approx 2000, at a local park here in Northern Cincinnati, Joyce Park concrete skatepark

I started racing art Riverstar Park by the 275 bridge and when I was finishing up we raced Joyce Park until 94-95... Good times. Another Cincy BMXer!