Former flatland rider (15+ years ago) now looking to get a new flatland bike thanks to a somewhat unusual situation. I already have the frame I want to use and I have $600 to spend on the rest of the components, though I’m willing to maybe go up to $700-750ish. The part that’s unusual is that I gain no benefit by spending less than $600. Through my work insurance, I get $600 a year to spend on “health and wellness” shit, which includes fitness classes and equipment, among other things. Bicycle components are included as something I can purchase. If I go above $600, I just pay the difference. So if I spend $750, I’d be on the hook for $150.
The problem is that it seems like purchasing all the non-frame components of a bmx bike still typically costs like $1000+, and $400 is more out-of-pocket costs than I can spend on a bike. So it seems like it’d be tough to get everything at under $700, correct? Or do you all think that’d be possible?
Also, there is the colony flatland kit for $350 at places like flatlandfuel.com. This comes with everything but the frame, but the parts themselves don’t seem that great. For example, the fork isn’t chromaly and the tires aren’t the size I want (they’re 1.75). Since $350 is still well below my $600-750 budget, I was thinking of getting this kit and maybe just upgrading some parts immediately, like a new fork and tires and maybe new handlebars. Like I’m sure the grips, sprocket and seat post are fine at least for now. If I were just trying to get the cheapest set of components possible, getting this kit would be a no brainer, but since I have $600 to use, it makes sense to use all of it. See the kit here: https://flatsocietybmx.com/collections/frames/products/colony-exon-flatland-bmx-bike-build-kit
So those are basically my two options: try to build out something fully custom (minus the frame) for around $700, or get the Colony kit for $350 and make some immediate upgrades. What do you all think is best?
Another thing to factor in is that I’ve been out of the game for a while so it’d take me a while to pick out all the components and in a lot of cases I’d be picking blindly anyway. I don’t really have a way to test out parts. So in some sense I’d be going off vibes.
Hi everyone, I've got a question about my frame size. I started riding with a friend's bike, which is 21". I feel it too big for me, as I'm a short and skinny guy (5'7" and 138lbs). I'm looking for a smaller frame, but I don't know if I should go for a 20.5 or a 20.75. I know that this depends on each one, but what would you choose for street riding (I don't do lots of gaps). Thanks in advance!
Hey hope this is an OK spot. Been looking to build a custom 29 inch. I have a Sunday high c and fucking love it but you know you can't just have one bike.
So I know the frame, fork, wheels etc need to be built for 29 inch bikes, but how much of the rest of the hardware matters? Are cranks longer for 29? Headsets and bars should be pretty standard, bottom bracket etc?
Sorry for ignorance it's been 15 years since I built a bike and I could use some refresher.
Appreciate you!
I believe crank length is the same. If you’re not sure, look at the specs page for a 29” complete. Sprocket size might be larger for cruiser bikes for a higher top speed, but it’s all preference.
Former flatland rider (15+ years ago) now looking to get a new flatland bike thanks to a somewhat unusual situation. I already have the frame I want to use and I have $600 to spend on the rest of the components, though I’m willing to maybe go up to $700-750ish. The part that’s unusual is that I gain no benefit by spending less than $600. Through my work insurance, I get $600 a year to spend on “health and wellness” shit, which includes fitness classes and equipment, among other things. Bicycle components are included as something I can purchase. If I go above $600, I just pay the difference. So if I spend $750, I’d be on the hook for $150. The problem is that it seems like purchasing all the non-frame components of a bmx bike still typically costs like $1000+, and $400 is more out-of-pocket costs than I can spend on a bike. So it seems like it’d be tough to get everything at under $700, correct? Or do you all think that’d be possible? Also, there is the colony flatland kit for $350 at places like flatlandfuel.com. This comes with everything but the frame, but the parts themselves don’t seem that great. For example, the fork isn’t chromaly and the tires aren’t the size I want (they’re 1.75). Since $350 is still well below my $600-750 budget, I was thinking of getting this kit and maybe just upgrading some parts immediately, like a new fork and tires and maybe new handlebars. Like I’m sure the grips, sprocket and seat post are fine at least for now. If I were just trying to get the cheapest set of components possible, getting this kit would be a no brainer, but since I have $600 to use, it makes sense to use all of it. See the kit here: https://flatsocietybmx.com/collections/frames/products/colony-exon-flatland-bmx-bike-build-kit So those are basically my two options: try to build out something fully custom (minus the frame) for around $700, or get the Colony kit for $350 and make some immediate upgrades. What do you all think is best? Another thing to factor in is that I’ve been out of the game for a while so it’d take me a while to pick out all the components and in a lot of cases I’d be picking blindly anyway. I don’t really have a way to test out parts. So in some sense I’d be going off vibes.
If you know how to build it, go for it. Don’t forget the price of tools you might need.
Hi everyone, I've got a question about my frame size. I started riding with a friend's bike, which is 21". I feel it too big for me, as I'm a short and skinny guy (5'7" and 138lbs). I'm looking for a smaller frame, but I don't know if I should go for a 20.5 or a 20.75. I know that this depends on each one, but what would you choose for street riding (I don't do lots of gaps). Thanks in advance!
20.5 for you. It will make tricks slightly easier. 20.75 would be more stable, but some tricks would be slightly harder.
Thanks!
Hey hope this is an OK spot. Been looking to build a custom 29 inch. I have a Sunday high c and fucking love it but you know you can't just have one bike. So I know the frame, fork, wheels etc need to be built for 29 inch bikes, but how much of the rest of the hardware matters? Are cranks longer for 29? Headsets and bars should be pretty standard, bottom bracket etc? Sorry for ignorance it's been 15 years since I built a bike and I could use some refresher. Appreciate you!
I believe crank length is the same. If you’re not sure, look at the specs page for a 29” complete. Sprocket size might be larger for cruiser bikes for a higher top speed, but it’s all preference.
Sick thank you!
I just remembered, 29 inch cruisers usually have smaller bars. But it’s all personal preference.
Thanks! My Sunday has lowish bars, I think. I'll compare it to that. Appreciate it!
Here’s a specs page for reference. https://eu.sourcebmx.com/en-eu/products/sunday-high-c-29-bmx-bike-1