Old Guy wants to race BMX - ACT

[nak]

Im 33, and have just started riding again.

I've been occupied with other hobbies for the last few years - mainly motorbikes both on an off road.

I've got myself a mountainbike and have been riding XC single trail a few times a week and am really enjoying the simplicity of riding a push bike again. Ive got a fairly competitive nature and wouldn't mind racing of some kind. There is a fairly active local mountainbike club racing scene, but I'm not really the endurance type nor can i afford the time for your typical XC race. I could try DH but I'd probably kill myself and a decent downhill bike is pretty exxy.

So I've been thinking about BMX, there is a couple of tracks in town. I've done a bit of googling and it looks a bit of fun

But I haven't ridden a BMX since i was about 14 and that was never on the track just stuffing about with mates riding around and building fairly tiny jumps, so I've really got no clue what I'm in for.

A couple of questions;

- Am I too old, is it just a kids sport?
- Are there generally classes for different age groups? - won't be too much fun getting my arse kicked all te time by teenagers
- 24 in cruiser or 20in?
- whats the difference between race bikes and your avergae street BMX?
- How much should I look at spending for a not totally shit bike??

 

[redbruce]

Im 33, and have just started riding again.

I've been occupied with other hobbies for the last few years - mainly motorbikes both on an off road.

I've got myself a mountainbike and have been riding XC single trail a few times a week and am really enjoying the simplicity of riding a push bike again. Ive got a fairly competitive nature and wouldn't mind racing of some kind. There is a fairly active local mountainbike club racing scene, but I'm not really the endurance type nor can i afford the time for your typical XC race. I could try DH but I'd probably kill myself and a decent downhill bike is pretty exxy.

So I've been thinking about BMX, there is a couple of tracks in town. I've done a bit of googling and it looks a bit of fun

But I haven't ridden a BMX since i was about 14 and that was never on the track just stuffing about with mates riding around and building fairly tiny jumps, so I've really got no clue what I'm in for.

A couple of questions;

- Am I too old, is it just a kids sport?
- Are there generally classes for different age groups? - won't be too much fun getting my arse kicked all te time by teenagers
- 24 in cruiser or 20in?
- whats the difference between race bikes and your avergae street BMX?
- How much should I look at spending for a not totally shit bike??

1. I started at 50 (with road background). You are definitely not too old.
2. At my club divisions are performance based. I was competitive at club level. Opens are age based and I became competitive in both 20" and 24" over time (managed A7 in 2008 in 24"). Your age has both more competing and racing for sheep stations though.
3. I raced and enjoyed both. They are different and in my case 24" helped me learn the skills but 20" was more rewarding. I raced both until retirement in 2009 (after which I raced MTB with my son).
4. Weight primarily. The engine (you) is still the most important factor in the equation.
5. 50% of new price.
6. ACT have both a great BMX and MTB scene. You are spoilt for choices.


MTB XC and BMX occupy about the same amount of time, ie its pretty much a day commitment to race. Training to be competitive also similar.

 

[shadow187]

i'd say go the 24".. but in the end it comes down to what you feel comfortable on,, personally 20" feel's too small for me, even tho im only around 6foot i feel like a giant on a 20".. i'd suggest making a trip to your local bike shop & test riding both 20 & 24" to see what your comfortable on & after making a decision check out the classifieds for a cheap 2nd hand bike in good condition, unless you feel confident enough to go out & spend the big bucks on a brand new bike..

 

[JORG]

G'day nak, sounds like the same position I was in a couple of months ago. The advice above is spot on, but also make sure you check out your local club AND make sure you get decent safety gear too. Just my 2c

 

[Norco Maniac]

i started at 40 having never ridden a bike in my life 24" was the only class on offer, and probably for the best for me considering how many times i came down hard in that first season :first:

off the bike for four years, i came back in 2011 and have been racing pretty full on ever since. i'm not fast or skilled enough to be competitive but i do ride two and sometimes three classes, having hopped on 20" late last year for both 17+ Women's and Retro with the men. otherwise i ride 30+ Cruiser with mostly former champs, that can get a bit disheartening at times. I'm 49 next month and regularly race women younger than my kids.

Retro is pretty big in the ACT, or so i've been told, and a few of our clubbies have used that class as a stepping stone to the more competitive 30+ Men's 20" and Cruiser.

i'm 5' 2" so a 20" can even be too long for me, depending on frame length. my 6' 3" other half is currently building a 22" top tube Doublecross but has been riding my old GHP 21.25" TT 20" in the meantime.


the main thing is to get out there and have fun, and don't go too hard too soon and end up with major injury!!

 

[Deleted member FN2187]

Hey, I'm in the same boat. I'm 30 and I've just started racing bmx again after 18 or so years. I haven't done any club races yet but before I broke my foot I'd been going to gates practise regularly at tuggeranong and Melba. I've gone 20" because I have been riding freestyle bmx for a few years and I feel comfortable on the smaller wheel size. A lot of the older guys often tend to ride cruisers because of the slightly more forgiving nature of the bigger wheel size. I'm 6'3" and I'm riding a pro xxl size frame(21.75tt) and I find it more stable than a cruiser. DK bikes make a pro xl and xxl complete as well as a cruiser that are pretty good value, about $1000. Backbone in fisher stock them. Avanti do as well and are a bit cheaper, around $600-$700 but I don't know if anyone sells them locally. There aren't any shops specialising in bmx around town since smith cycles shut down. I wouldn't try racing on a freestyle bike. The difference is in geometry. Freestyle bikes are designed with short rear ends, steep head angles and high bottom brackets. All in the name of fast response and agility. Race bikes are the absolute opposite, stability at speed is the name of the game. My friends wife is the administrator at Melba and from what I'm told the open 20"/30+ class is the way to go. It's a very diverse class and it's competitive without being aggressive.

 

[carlamast]

I would like sounds of bmx riding. The same position I was in a couple of months ago. I have been riding freestyle bmx for a few years and I feel comfortable on the smaller wheel size. And now i have doing training with their young child.


Bmx Racing Clothing For Kids

 

[grimrepa]

I am 43 and mainly ride Downhill / Freeride and just bought a 24 inch race style BMX, I have to say the first ride felt weird going from a nearly 8 inch travel 26 incher. I'm really starting to enjoy it now and plan on trying it our the Homebush track. Never to old unless you let yourself go physically.