BD and Al, let's talk 24" BMX Cruisers

[Blaidd Drwg]

As noted by Shaf above, the Surly karate monkey (a 29" wheel mountain bike that's very versatile) is a lot of bike for the money. Honestly most components on bikes are so good that any of the big brands like Giant, Fisher, Specialized and Trek will have some version of a hybrid that can work.

Al is closer to this stuff by far and probably can think of specific models that might be particularly good in that niche.

[Mickey O'neil]

As of right now I am planning on getting a Mirraco 20forty or a Specialized P-24. Hopefully I can find one of these used.

BD you mentioned getting a 26" hardtail and setting it up like a trials bike, well, mine is sorta set up like that now. More for singletrack and jumping. I just want something more of a classic bmx style.

[Mickey O'neil]

And in case you are wondering, here are the specs for my bike.

Trek Bruiser frame, 16.5"
Manitou X-vert Super Fork
Diore Hydraulic disc brake, front and back
Sun Double Wall XT disc hub, front
Sun 24" Singletrack dics, rear
XT Cassette
Ultegra Rear Derailler
LX Rapid Fire Shifter
Specialized Crankset Strongarm
Intense Lock On DH grips

[Blaidd Drwg]

I see....well that seems perfect for you. Looking atat the saddleshit height, I can see why a 24 inch makes sense though.

[Mickey O'neil]

Are you implying something?

[Blaidd Drwg]

No. I'm saying straight up.

Off road, smaller wheels can work better if you're smaller. Bigger wheels can work better if you're long legged. I like a slightly longish set up over a short set up...for me 650B feels perfect. For you...24 is probably a perfect set up for really aggressive riding.

[Mickey O'neil]

Cool. Thanks for the feedback, BD!

[Blaidd Drwg]

The potential for a formula to derive the ratio of wheel size to limb length/ crank length is one of those fever dream things that I get until I remember I no longer care.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

My km build looks increasingly like a cyclocross thing..I want. 7 speed closed internal hub in back, and just one ring up front. 29s. Disc brakes...meh

[Blaidd Drwg]

My km build looks increasingly like a cyclocross thing..I want. 7 speed closed internal hub in back, and just one ring up front. 29s. Disc brakes...meh

I felt disc brakes were over meh for anyhting other than full DH...until I tried them with drop bars. One finger braking in nasty wet weather.

Another edit...getting the drops set up in a position that is comfortable and nice looking on a KM can be trixy. It's got a very long top tube and low standover. Can be done but you might want to look at some shallow wide drops like the old WTB Mountain drops.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

Yeah, that set up right there would be fine.

Although I like to hop on and off curbs and go down steps, the fatter tires might be warranted.

[Alfred_E._Neuman]

Hey Mick, did you ever end up getting the Mirraco or anything?

I've been thinking of building up a Surly KM single speed for playing around on the trails with some friends after work.

[Alfred_E._Neuman]

The potential for a formula to derive the ratio of wheel size to limb length/ crank length is one of those fever dream things that I get until I remember I no longer care.

Sheldon Brown has something pretty close. He calls it "Gain Ratio":
http://sheldonbrown.com/gain.html

[nafod]

Disc brakes...meh

I have hydraulic disc brakes on my squishy, and find it painful to move back to cable discs (my hard tail) or even worse rim pads (my cross bike and my stiff frame). Its like the difference between riding first class or coach. A ratcheting expectation mechanism. What brakes should have always been.

[Alfred_E._Neuman]

The new Shimano IceTec brakes are the best things I've ever seen. Crazy easy to set up and will stop a freight train. In the SLX level they're the best value going.

With a good set up, Avid BB7's are about as good as you'll ever get out of mechanical disks.

I put Shimano's CX70 cantilever brakes on my Surly CrossCheck single speed commuter bike, and they're easily the best canti's I've ever used. Set up nearly as easy as a road caliper and use the same cartridge pads as other road brakes.

[Mickey O'neil]

Not yet, Al, but I plan on getting the 20forty asap.

Hey Mick, did you ever end up getting the Mirraco or anything?

I've been thinking of building up a Surly KM single speed for playing around on the trails with some friends after work.

[Mickey O'neil]

Short clip of a 24" cruiser in action.

[Mickey O'neil]

Still looking at bikes and I had a question; Al or BD, why would someone choose a 24" cruiser over a regular 20" bmx bike?

EDIT: Just re-read the article that BD posted and that pretty much answers my question. I still have an affinity for a 20" BMX for some reason.

[Mickey O'neil]

Ok, now I'm leaning towards a 20". Really digging the stuff Nigel Sylvester does and that style along with some dirt jumping. A buddy gave me two of his son's old bmx bikes that need to be fixed up. Really the only thing any good is the frames. An old Trek and Huffy. Will probably get them fixed up for the kids and order myself one.

[Mickey O'neil]

So I had pretty much decided on getting a 20" then I saw this.

http://www.sugarcayne.com/2013/07/bike- ... r-cruiser/

[Holland Oates]

What do you weight Mick?

[Mickey O'neil]

A whopping 157#.

[Holland Oates]

A whopping 157#.

Still pretty big for a bmx. I know fuck all about them but make sure you pay extra for the heavy cranks and frame. I've about destroyed my mountain bike just riding it because I'm a big fat fucker. It creaks and rattles like a motherfucker.

[Mickey O'neil]

The bikes they make now are pretty heavy duty but still light. There are guys 180 and close to 200 doing crazy tricks and insane jumps on these 20" bikes.

[Bram]

So I had pretty much decided on getting a 20" then I saw this.

http://www.sugarcayne.com/2013/07/bike- ... r-cruiser/

That's a sweet bike. I was 5'11 and 145 when I had my 24" and it was perfect for me.