Old guy needs a new bike...

Ok, so I've been off a bike and out of the industry for 15 (yes, 15!) years. Believe it or not I'm still pretty good rider! Here in AZ we have a nice bike park that I want to hit, plus we'll be building some jumps in the neighborhood. So I need a bike that will do dirt, park and street. Also, I'm 6'1" tall and 195lbs. I don't want a custom build, just a turn key rider that can handle some abuse. Not looking for entry level and I don't need a pro bike either, a mid grade model will work. There's so many bike companies out there I don't know where to start! Help a guy out! Thanks

Dont get an Eastern. Watch all the other midpriced completes too... alot of them aren't chromoly anymore. Bang for buck seems to be good still with DK, Premium. Good luck.

What are you looking for, a 20"? Since you're pretty tall maybe look at a 24"; Sunday, Fit, WTP, etc. all make street style cruisers now. Faction bikes makes a 22" now too. I have come back to bmx from mtb and went with a 24" so it didn't seem so squirrelly.
Are you talking about the Basin bike park by chance?

Since you're a SheepHillsOG why not an S&M product like a Dirt Bike or one of the Fit completes?

They're all pretty good; what have you been looking at?

I have a Sunday Model-C and a second wave
Great bikes mine are full custom,they ride almost the same except for the size
They have completes that are nice.for your height I would go with a 24 inch

http://www.danscomp.com/221136.php?cat=FRAME

For your height?

So, like Doyle and Barspinner Ryan and Magilla have trouble with riding 20" bikes?

cruiserrevolution.com

liquidbikes.com

I never said that they had trouble riding 20 inch bikes.
Where did you read that at.

Sorry, I don't mean to start stuff, but...

...I just don't buy the argument that cruisers are "better" for taller riders than 20"s are. In the modern world cruisers are set up to ride just like 20's and 20's now are much bigger than they used to be. I know there are differences in the way they handle but I think if people just rode 20's they'd realize that they can do it.

Again, sorry to try to start stuff. I'm just not down with the "cruiser revolution".

...and 6'1" isn't really that tall. Heck, I think Taj is 6'1".

For the record, I actually ride cruisers on occasion. I just have never found any advantage to doing so. I've never sat there and thought, "Oh wow, this is so much better than a 20"".

yep... 6'4" here. to get a cruiser OR a MTB that fits right and allows movement... you gotta get a big one, but then that cuts down on maneuverability. BUt, I will say a cruiser or MTB is more stable in the air... IF you are down for staying straight. lol.
That being said, you are gonna have a hard time finding a complete that will fit your height AND your budget. most midrange completes are 20.5 to 20.75. Top level bikes are 21... and cost around 500 to 600 or more.
almost better getting a cheap 21 frame and putting cheap parts on it... they will be as good if not better than complete mid-range parts.
say you wanna spend around 450. get a 150 stolen frame... 21. then put stolen parts on it, poverty, Haro, Nitrous... etc. you might end up with a complete bike that would rival a top line complete for durabiltiy. I know you would end up with one better than top line Easterns... lol.

Hey! If you are talking about the bike park here in Chandler, get in touch with me as I and a few other guys go there all the time. I'm 40 and just started riding parks last year (had never been in one before). The people I ride with range in skill from beginner like me to expert level and above and includes everyone from ex pro freestylers getting back into it to older guys who never stopped riding.

I picked up a 2008 Eastern Jane off of Craigslist for $240 and have been really happy with it (despite the Eastern hate above). You probably just need to try out a few different bikes to find one that suits you.

Anyway - I can be reached at 480-302-1119. Holla at a brotha.

Boone

test

Another tall guy (6'3") who prefers a 20" over a 24". Particularly if you are going to ride parks and things. I love the 24", it just feels a bit too long darting around the tighter areas of a park. More suited to a bit of trails, and street/boardwalk cruising. I tend to ride the 20" a lot more and have plenty of room with a 21" top tube.

Maybe try both and see how they feel. Give it a few rides though because the new geometry takes a bit to get used to if you are more familiar with the older stuff. I couldn't stand the first 20" I rode then given enough time I became used to it being much faster in the steering etc.

At the end of the day it's not really about your height, except for top tube length. The size of the wheels is just a personal choice thing.

no hate... jsut facts. like alot of Eastern stuff. Just find their completes a not so good sometimes... plastci BB spacers, "hawkeye" forks on the 600 plus that, well, aren't hawkeye forks, except for the hawkeye emblem cut into them... "wonder Year" bars that are about half a pound heavier than the REAL aftermarket Wonder Year bars... Stealth cranks that are not 10 spline, they are 8 spline, and about 6 ounces heavier than the REAL Stealth cranks... etc, etc.

Jsut saying, for the money, if I had payed it, I would be poed too...

Hey fellas, thanks for all the replies. Yeah, i should have posted that I want a 20". I rode 20s forever, rode a 24 for a little while. Recently rode both a 20 and a 24 on the same day at a the Glendale bike park at 83rd ave/bethany home. I preferred the 20 in the park, felt way more comfortable... Hey Boone, I stopped at the Chandler bike park last year, it's a nice facility but a little far off from me as I'm out in Surprise. Don't count me out though, i don't like to be the oldest guy at the skatepark! Same goes for the bike park!!! I'll hit you up as soon as I get a ride.

[b]Hmmmm. Hey BS, I'm liking the idea of an S&M. Duh, why wouldn't I wanna go with an old school company with new technology! But then Supergoose posted up the link to dans with this Sunday model, sounds kind of interesting...
"Designed with Sunday's "PLUS 4" geometry, the Model-C kit is a 24" that rides like a 20". Unlike cruiser race frames, the Model-C frame, Morning 24.1 fork and 24umph bar all work together to provide the responsiveness of a modern 20" frame, but with added room, comfort and stability. Made from 41-Thermal chromoly to withstand the demands of street, park and dirt."
My biggest concern is the big wheels in the tight transitions in a park setting. Hmmm

I saw WTP mentioned earlier... Probably some of the best selection for bikes with a 21in TT starting at $500. Beware of the short rear end on them.. Also, DK has a couple of nice completes out for 2010.. But, I want a 21.25 or longer for my next frame, so I have thought about getting something like a DK Aura, sell the frame, and use that money to get a frame I want...

Brian

Hit me up at a9kw@aol.com and I will send you some pictures of my Model-c and second wave full customs.I ride both the C and second wave at the parks,either way you will have fun riding
for riding the trails I like the C for the parks it is a matter of choice

The Model-C is a great 24" to get. I have one as well & I find that it is a very quick & nimble handling cruiser. More similar to a 20".
That said I still spend more time on my 20" (a Sunday as well). I just prefer the 20.
Sunday has released the Model-C in a complete version which is a great deal at about $550.
http://www.empirebmx.com/store/comersus_vi...?idProduct=9551

For a 20" I really recommend the Sunday Funday Pro. Maybe you don't like the color, or would rather have a 21" frame, but for $655 you literally get at least $800 worth of parts PLUS a F&F.
http://www.empirebmx.com/store/comersus_vi...?idProduct=9550
-Bill

This cruiser rider seems to have no problem handling park riding:

http://www.vimeo.com/3476259

Experiment and find what works best for you.

yep ! i got one and i'm stoked.
LONG front end,
SUPER SHORT back end
MEDIUM HeIGHT bottom bracket
= the perfect park trails street 24"

XL 22.25"tt, 14.25"cs, 12.75"bb

. . . . and Taj has been riding a Sunday Model C 24" lately.

yeah but...

yeah but...

yeah but...

...ok after our friend here has back surgery then he can ride a cruiser. How's that?

Allright, I think I'm going to go with a WTP Volta. Any input on this bike???
From the website...

Elite bikes are the top of our range and the Volta is one of the two bikes entitled to this heading. This is an off the shelf pro bike and kitted out to live up to it. Larger 8.2” bars, 21” 4130 CrMo frame, wethepeople tires and increasing amounts of high-end éclat parts including the “Unit” U-brake, “Swift” Brakelever, éclat X-ODUS double wall welded rim, éclat “Gonzo” Pivotal Seat and “Surge” PC Pedals. Not to forget the 48 spline Salt pro crank! High spec’d bikes mean well balanced weights: 10.82kg (23.854lb)

» FULL 4130 CRMO (21” TT) FRAME
» BUTTED DOWN TUBE
» FULL CRMO FORK (CNC 1 PC STEERER), DROPOUTS HT
» GEARING 25T/9T (SEALED BOLT FRONT AND REAR CASSETTE)
» SALT FULL CNC PRO STEM
» ÉCLAT “UNIT” U-BRAKE AND “SWIFT” BRAKE LEVER
» ÉCLAT PIVOTAL GONZO SEAT
» SALT DW FRONT RIM & ÉCLAT DW REAR (WELDED)
» SALT PRO 48 SPLINE 3-PIECE CRANK
» WETHEPEOPLE TIRES
» REMOVABLE BRAKE HARDWARE

That actually looks pretty good. Full size 21" frame, which you don't often see on completes.

Give me some brakes and I'd ride the hell out of that thing!

You should be pretty stoked on that... The WTP completes, especially the high end bikes like that one, are pretty damn sweet.

Brian

Looks great
I bought the blue frame with the 22 tt ,should be here on Friday
I will be building it up as soon as I open the shipping box,can't wait super stoked

Wow I was reading the first page of this and the first bike that came to mind was the WTP Volta. I had the WTP Envy and loved it but something about the S&M LTF called to me so I sold it and went with the 21 inch LTF. I almost wish I would have stuck with the Envy. The Volta wil come with the Eclat brake and lever I think with on the Envy was one of the best brake setups I have felt.

At just about your same exact size these both felt perfect...the WTP was a 20.75

These claims interest me. The "600 plus" complete you refer to... is that "the Boss"? If so if you notice they call out the fact that the Wonder years bars are not the multi butted ones. Here is the quote from their site...

"Handle Bar: Original Eastern WonderYear Bars, FULL 4130 Chromoly 8.25�x28� w/ 1.6mm Wall Thickness"

Not trying to start anything just asking. While we are on the subject of completes not having the exact same parts as the aftermarket parts offered, all companies engage in this. All of the Fit completes have parts that have the word "type" after them. For example check their top of the line $629 signature completes and you will see they have Fit "DL type" stems and Fit "DL style" sprockets. Here check the spec list for yourself http://fitbikeco.com/index.php?option=com_...&Itemid=162 (click on the specchart link in the lower right hand corner to open the PDF file with all the specs.)I could list off lots more comanies that do this but I guess what I am trying to say is be glad eastern actually calls it out if you are willing to read. I dont like this but as with any other purchase it is buyer beware. I have generally found the Fit, Stolen and the Eastern completes to be very good quality completes but they are just that..completes. Why would anyone buy aftermarket parts if you could by a fully pimped out complete with the exact same parts as aftermarket for half the price? It would still be cheaper to buy a complete and change what you didnt like that way.

yeah, yeah.... IF they call out the "style" and "type". The complete I am talking bout didnt. For 600 plus bucks, there are better deals than the rides I saw and saw bought. period. Better bikes for the buck. myabe the lower end Easterns... and maybe the new models. I dont know, you can only go off your experience. you like em, I dont. my experience, bad value for the buck. Whereas Premium, Some fits, some we the peoples... much better value.
it is as it is. engaging in might haves or maybes... dont cut it. you think ok, I think bad. based on my experience, and thats the only thing I go off... lol.

I wasnt engaging in any "might haves or maybes" I gave you facts and links to back up my claims. No reason to get pissy.

jeez dude. only one gettin pissy is you, lol. In layman's terms, I am telling you that a person can only really form an opinion off their own experiences and what they observe. Mine is negative for the upperlevel Easterns based off the one I bought, and those I have seen bought. That is all. lol.

No I got your point "in laymans terms"...I was merely pointing out that perhaps you judged their product hastily and harshly. when I asked for further proof about your reasons for opinion I got "engaging in might haves or maybes... dont cut it."
I really dont care what you think of Eastern or any other BMX brand but I hate it when people on the internet will bash a product without examples or without proper facts. When I questioned you you got touchy and ran to the its just my opinion argument. That to me shows a lack of hard cold facts. I hate it when people do that. Just my pet peeve as I see so much of it in BMX. I see lots of "brand hate" for no good reasons.

dude, its just internet... and I didn't get touchy... lol. I don't hate Eastern... and I DID give examples and "proper facts". You keep acting like I came on here and posted "eatern is hte suck, no ****" or something.
and I didn't run to any "just my opinion" arguments.
Cold, HARD facts (AGAN): The Eastern completes I have seen bought, and bought myself (though I didnt pay the 600 plus for it, which is why i stated that if I had I would be pissed) had sub-par parts on it for the prices paid. You can put together a better bike for the same amount yourself, of THE STYLES I have seen. And that the companies I stated had better bang for the buck THAT I HAD SEEN. I can't form an opinion on any other situation, hence the "engaging in might haves or maybes". Not directed at you... for your info.
So yes, I have good reasons for what I posted... about what i KNEW or had FACTS for.
This has no reflection on any other Eastern Part. or riders, or video, or anything else. lol.
internets LOL>

Dear vintagebmx.com, I'm an old guy, I need a new bike...and I would like to hear you fight about it!

I got the 2009 Eastern Metalhead and modded it with an ebay Uni seat and Diamondback Scuffer Locking Levers + 4 Tree Trick Stick pegs. Total weight 27.5 lbs which is great for a bike that has both front and rear brakes. Total cost for me $480, when the bike was on Danscomp clearance at $329.

I'm happy with my Metalhead as it's a modern ride with old school flavor with it's brakes. But it's half and half on the bunnyhop geometry - you gotta lean back and pull back and up to bunnyhop. It isn't as bunnyhop happy as my 86 GT Performer.

You can still get it here, and the Burgundy color is awesome!
https://www.jrbicycles.com/storefront/index...;productId=2369