Was just wondering if the handle bars are pointed with the forks correctly to make tricks easier? And that the rear wheel is aligned well since I busted a tube and put a new one in the rear.
Also, the guy who owns the shop (in a different state), told me the chain needs to be tight so it can stretch, and I don’t need to grease it yet, I have some bike milk, I’m Aussie, just wondering if this is all correct.
I’m 178cm, this is the Sunday street sweeper. I weigh around 90kg, ex skater, still skate a bit. Weight and age making it harder. Plus not really access to skateparks and my street is rough.
Guessing fakie, bunny hops and manuals first? I got to balance point, but after that, looped out a lot. This is a 20.75inch frame. I was in my work shoes, and my tyres are on 20psi, I need to go get them pumped as my small hand pump was so exhaustingly terrible to get last 40psi I had to get more aggro and may of ripped the stem, unless it was already broke out the box
TLDR: new bike, what tricks first, is my rear wheel aligned well as I put a new tube in after bursting, are my handle bars optimally aligned for doing tricks? And do I grease chain out box? Was told to wait as it’s tight and needs to stretch
by More_Gold_4106
1 Comment
Fellow Aussie 👋
You’re a touch taller than me but same weight. I was a rugby player back in the day. Your bike will last unless you’re bailing from high up and it lands on the end of the handlebars. Things are built pretty well.
To answer your questions, bars look good but it’s mostly a matter of preference. As a general rule, I will have mine so that if I’m standing above, looking down at the crossbar of the hangers, my forks will be straight in line. So the bars are just a tiny touch rearwards. Might not be how others do it but I’ve had them like that for 30 years.
Rear wheel looks good and you will find over time that the chain gets loose. I don’t think I have ever greased a bmx chain, ever. My last chain was 19 years old and I only got rid of it because I needed a half link chain. Forget about it.
What you can do here is, once it gets a little loose, undo the drive side axle nut and move it back 2-3mm, tighten it, then do the same for the other side. You can grab the tyre and pull it towards one side to hold in place while you tighten it. Effectively “walking” the rear wheel backwards so the chain is tight and the wheel stays straight. Those tyres are fat, not much room back there!
Most of my tricks were learned while hungover and trying something else and accidentally pulling them instead. You just have to get out there, try stuff, try it again, and don’t be afraid to fall and look a bit silly. We all did it. Most bmx riders and skaters, and even scooter riders, are good dudes/girls, they’ll be accepting of you.
Best of luck!