Hey guys:

I want to buy my brother a wedding present he always wanted a PK Ripper back in the day, so it will be fun to surprise him with a cool bike. He is 5'-9 180 lbs +/- is the 20" PK Ripper Looptail too small for seated pedaling? What about the 26" OM Flyer ?

Looking for some input from riders

thanks

john

Go with a 26" OM. Love them! 20" bikes are too small!

No they aren't. I have a Quad and it's the longest bike I've ever owned. I'm 6' and 220 and have no trouble at all. Then I have no trouble on my 81 Supergoose either. The PK should be fine. For cruising a cruiser is much nicer. Depends on what he's gonna do with it.

I'll second that . Get him what he always wanted . Beats a toaster hands down .

I have a NS Floval, and lovin it.

I'm 5' 9" so no probs with either NS Ripper or NS Quad, both nice to ride

Get the PK Looptail. TT is 21.25" which is perfecty fitting for a 5.9 guy.

Forget 26" bikes and all that stuff and go with the original.

BMX is 20" !

I'm 5'9" and my OM Flyer is perfect for cruising. For anything more athletic, I'm looking for a 20" actually thinking of a PK for myself.

I am going with the Looptail. Thanks for the help he will love it for sure.
john

As for your question re seated pedaling, neither bike is really designed for it. BMX bikes aren't measured by the wheel size (20", 26" etc.) but by the top tube length. This gives you room on the bike to pedal, but it says nothing about seated pedaling. MTBs and road bikes are measured by the seat tube length, which is directly related to seated pedaling (i.e., the proper way to pedal and not hurt your knees). So, on most BMX bikes you're going to pedal standing up (to avoid knee issues) and perhaps coast sitting down.

So, with the top tube length of the two bikes in mind, they should fit.

good decision.

whatever you get, ´08,´09,´10 model, they all look pretty awsome.

Definitely buy him what he always wanted. It sounds like it's more about the emotional attachment than the practicality anyway. Not that 5'9 is incredibly tall for a 20" bike with modern geometry.

I'm 5'8 about 175. Always loved the PK growing up. Everyone told me I should try a 26, went to the store rode two of them including the OM Flyer. They felt good, considering I have not rode one in 20 years, I was going to get one, but I told the sales guy I wanted to try 20" just for kicks. The OM Flyer felt good, but the 20 felt "RIGHT", as in perfect. There's no substitute for what you remember growing up. I bought the 09 PK Ripper and its sweet.

Plus there is the psychological factor, even though the OM Flyer is essentially a bigger PK, It still is not a PK Ripper, even if you change the stickers.

Go with the PK

Whenever I ride a 20" frame, I feel like I stole a little kids bike from my neighborhood! I'm 5'10" tall and it's a tiny ride for me man. I can't see how anyone my size or bigger could ride one! Boggles the mind haha

He wanted the Ripper then. Fulfill the dream.