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The Street => The Bike Shop => Topic started by: Lucas! on February 01, 2016, 06:34:23 AM

Title: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Lucas! on February 01, 2016, 06:34:23 AM
Looking at building up a 24" bike as a sort of cruiser/travel/short commute.

Looked at the Sunday model c, seems as if they've lowered the quality of the frames to cut the price?

Ideally i'd like something like the model C, maybe a bit higher standover, I might be nostalgic but I think that most modern frames looks like scooters with their super low sloping top tubes.



Ideas?

Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 01, 2016, 10:51:44 AM
Check out these threads:

cruiser or 24 advice
http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220773.msg3714454.html#msg3714454 (http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220773.msg3714454.html#msg3714454)

Cruiser guys, ATF 24" vs Wave C vs Liquid, input please.
http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220076.msg3705592.html (http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220076.msg3705592.html)

Also check out www.cruiserrevolution.com (http://www.cruiserrevolution.com)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Stoked on February 01, 2016, 11:16:19 AM
S&m Atf 24" frame looks deece with a 9.5" s/o height
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Bunky on February 01, 2016, 02:25:35 PM
How much money are you looking to spend, and what kind of riding are you looking to do?

CMC has got some awesome references there for you to take a look at, and I suggest reading them all.

I'm a cruiser fanatic.  I'm almost at the tipping point of having done more handrails on my cruisers than on my 20inch bikes.  24's are so much fun when you've got them built right to suite your style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gdHoYBWVgk&feature=youtu.be

I prefer the higher bottom bracket on the Sunday cruisers, but if you're really tall (I'm about 5-11), then you might like the lower bottom bracket heights on the S&M and Fit cruiser frames, or possibly a Liquid if you can find one anywhere.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 01, 2016, 04:09:11 PM
. .  or possibly a Liquid if you can find one anywhere.

well, speak of the devil . . . .
(not mine, just saw it).
http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/5425721359.html (http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/5425721359.html)

it also occurred to me that Lucas might like a 26" Fairdale TAJ in terms of high standover and cruiser/commuter aspects....

(http://www.maulsbikeshop.com/images2/blutaj.JPG)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: LeonLikesToRock on February 02, 2016, 02:06:16 AM
For commuting I'd just get a 26" bike.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 02, 2016, 05:07:41 AM
I'm thinking about getting a cruiser of some sort too. It seems like I'm gonna have to commute about 10 miles. Would it be better for a 26' Taj or 24' Model C?

I like the idea of being able to hop curbs and stuff on 24' but after some work I feel like a 26' would be a more way to go up and down some hills. I just don't wanna feel that knee ache that comes from pedaling your ass off on a BMX bike for long periods of time.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Dr. Steve Brule on February 02, 2016, 07:27:11 AM
For 10 miles I'd get an actual single speed bike, something with clearance for 32mm tyres and it'll be like a big BMX.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 02, 2016, 10:02:51 AM
For 10 miles I'd get an actual single speed bike, something with clearance for 32mm tyres and it'll be like a big BMX.

yeah, but maybe even gears.  i love my Fairdale Weekender OG.  it feels nothing like a bmx bike. but it's fun to ride faaaaast on road for once.

big boys bike advice.
http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220799.0.html (http://www.bikeguide.org/forum/index.php/topic,220799.0.html)

but i guess, as far as "big bmx" goes, i think Fairdale was thinking about that with this:


The Weekender MX   8) 
(http://fairdalebikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WKD-MXtitled.jpg)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 02, 2016, 10:12:17 AM
I'm thinking about getting a cruiser of some sort too. It seems like I'm gonna have to commute about 10 miles. Would it be better for a 26' Taj or 24' Model C?

I like the idea of being able to hop curbs and stuff on 24' but after some work I feel like a 26' would be a more way to go up and down some hills. I just don't wanna feel that knee ache that comes from pedaling your ass off on a BMX bike for long periods of time.


The big difference is the seat tube length, and how much seatpost you want raised, to sit down.

Sunday Model C:

HEAD TUBE ANGLE: 74.5°
SEAT TUBE ANGLE: 71°
CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 14.625-14.875”
BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT: 13.75"
STANDOVER: 9.25”
HANDLEBAR
RISE: 7.75"
WIDTH: 28"
BACKSWEEP: 12°
UPSWEEP: 4°

http://www.sundaybikes.com/bikes/archive/2015-completes/model-c/2015-model-c/ (http://www.sundaybikes.com/bikes/archive/2015-completes/model-c/2015-model-c/)


A Fairdale Taj has a 17.32" (440mm) seat tube. 
http://fairdalebikes.com/bikes/view-bikes-archive/2015-bikes/2015-taj/ (http://fairdalebikes.com/bikes/view-bikes-archive/2015-bikes/2015-taj/)

So, 9.25" versus 17.32" is a large difference.  A slammed seat on the Taj is like riding 8" of seat post raised on the Sunday Model C.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 02, 2016, 05:04:57 PM
I'd definitely set the bike up as a road only thing. Maximize comfort for long pedaling but just riding BMX all the time, I like that safety net of being able to hop up curbs if I must.

All this reading about derailleur gears is giving me a headache. I just want a simple bike!
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Hank Chinaski on February 06, 2016, 09:50:17 PM
how hilly is your ride?  I rode a taj shortly and you could hop curbs all day and still get around town. You could also change the gearing if you wanted.  I think for an around town commuter and bar bike it would be great.  But if I was commuting a longer distance and there were hills, I'd just buy a decent geared mountain bike with a single front chain ring.  You could hop one up a curb, commute with it, and then you can ride trails and shit with it too.  Derailleur might seem complicated at first but it's really not, especially just a single front ring setup.  You can watch a youtube video and have it down in no time.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 07, 2016, 04:20:17 PM
how hilly is your ride?  I rode a taj shortly and you could hop curbs all day and still get around town. You could also change the gearing if you wanted.  I think for an around town commuter and bar bike it would be great.  But if I was commuting a longer distance and there were hills, I'd just buy a decent geared mountain bike with a single front chain ring.  You could hop one up a curb, commute with it, and then you can ride trails and shit with it too.  Derailleur might seem complicated at first but it's really not, especially just a single front ring setup.  You can watch a youtube video and have it down in no time.

Yeah I agree. Although I can see how a bmx'er might not want many of the "uncool" options in that category.  (I was a BMX-only rider, until about 10 years ago, so I've been sifting through all the options for a while).

A cool MTB that is all-rigid, sort of bmx-ish, but also commuter-ish, with 1X9 or 1X10-11 gearing . . . . is a rare bike.  Maybe SURLY.
(http://41.media.tumblr.com/8c65359a035109151ff07783bbcb5616/tumblr_mlrm83v57h1qkim11o1_1280.jpg)

If you get a suspension fork with lockout or with adjust to stiffen it up for city riding, there are lots of options. In terms of a seat high enough for commuter-ish type leg extension, rather than super low like DJ MTB bikes .... then "All Mountain" type bikes would seem to fit...
Like a Transition TransAm. It's going to have a more laid back "aggressive hard tail" head angle though.
(https://sgmtb.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/transam_v2_1.jpg)

A 4x/DJ bike with 1X9 is also doable, but like I said, the lower seat tube, makes a high seat less do-able (at least for taller riders).  Note the chain guide system--it has a top guide as well as a bottom tension roller. This is essential for keeping the chain on during bmx style riding with gears.  The newer "narrow-wide" chain system though is supposed to lessen the need for this type of chain guide though.
(http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/urban-dj-park/367397d1213042236-hi-people-black-market-img_2351-lo.jpg)

Something like the 2013 Specialized P.Street was a lame attempt to be a mix of DJ style and casual mtb.  The two-ring gear system is pathetic on anything even vaguely trying to seem like a dirt jumper or 'urban' bike.   The proper way to do it is 1X9, 1X10, etc. with "narrow-wide" or with a proper chain guide system to keep the chain on, the way 4x racers do it.
 
"The P.Street, a new addition to the P.Series family of bikes for 2013, draws its inspiration from the dirt/park/street lifestyle that the P.Series represents, while offering the A-to-B practicality of a traditional geared mountain bike. No, it isn't intended as a pure street or park bike, but the entry level P.Street features disc brakes, a 31.8mm handlebar and stem combo, street-specific tires, a strong suspension fork, and a two-ring drivetrain with a bash guard that allow the bike to handle abuse while still remaining user friendly for getting around."

http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=163703 (http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=163703)
(http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb8222835/p5pb8222835.jpg)

This is kinda off-topic, but I think Spooky used to make Terrible One frames back in the day.....
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af14/troylee20/DSC01746.jpg)
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75553 (http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75553)

Oh yeah... and some people are doing internal geared hubs on BMX....
Lets see your Multi-speed BMX's
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=304579 (http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=304579)
8-speed hub on OM Flyer 26"
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/us1ss/IMG_1240.jpg)

Oh yeah, and the Volume Generator used an internal-geared hub in their attempt to make a bmx-ish urban commuter https://vimeo.com/34379415 (https://vimeo.com/34379415)
(http://hubalabike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/c103gen-flyer-thumb-500x312-17492.jpg)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 07, 2016, 06:53:35 PM
So I figured out the commute is just a bit under 7 miles. The hills aren't anything steep just mellow incline and declines, nothing to be fussed over. I live in the city now so there isn't too much outside of concrete. A nice, quick ride would definitely be preferable.

I'm thinking this... http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413647461.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413647461.html)

Only cause of budgetary reasons.

It may just be the name association with the Taj but I can't help but want it. I'd get a Weekender but I can't really justify spending over a grand for a bike again. Which I'm sure negates more or less all the options on the post above me.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: dude... on February 07, 2016, 08:08:41 PM
i can do 20-30km on my faction 22" no worries, just need a sensible seat height for longer treks. that liquid complete for 500 is hawt tho
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: jonathan on February 08, 2016, 10:25:47 AM
big wheels carry momentum well, which is why you can move faster over a distance than a bike with smaller wheels. the acceleration resistance is negligible since you are not on a bmx race track. if you have any skills at all, you can hop a curb on my sort of bike. 10 miles is a pretty good distance. my old commute was about 10 miles and I always did it on a cyclocross bike with slick tires and gears. riding that SS sounds SSlow, unless it's fairly flat or you're in phenomenal shape, or you just don't mind the extra time it takes.

if you're afraid of gears and you want something bmx-ish, there are tons of rigid single-speed 29ers on the market that you can find cheap- Surly Karate Monkey, Redline Monocog, Kona Unit, etc. most are geared very low- mine is 32/20, for climbing long hills covered in loose gravel and mud and stuff. for a commuter, you could put a taller gear and some semi-slick tires are ride the heck out of that. (a 29er tire and a 700c tire are the same inner diameter and will fit on the same size rim, within reason regarding the rim's width.) one of the raddest-looking bikes I have seen in Austin is a red/orange Karate Money with bmx handlebars on it. for that matter, 26" hardtails are a dime a dozen these days, and make fun commuters that can take some rough handling but still get you around much faster than a bmx-type bike.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: jonathan on February 08, 2016, 10:32:10 AM

I'm thinking this... http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413647461.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413647461.html)


you can do better than that for a modified old road bike. that looks like a turd that is ready to fall apart at any moment. on any bike on that end of the spectrum, you need to pay attention to the frame size. how tall are you?
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 11:52:32 AM
big wheels carry momentum well, which is why you can move faster over a distance than a bike with smaller wheels. the acceleration resistance is negligible since you are not on a bmx race track. if you have any skills at all, you can hop a curb on my sort of bike. 10 miles is a pretty good distance. my old commute was about 10 miles and I always did it on a cyclocross bike with slick tires and gears. riding that SS sounds SSlow, unless it's fairly flat or you're in phenomenal shape, or you just don't mind the extra time it takes.

if you're afraid of gears and you want something bmx-ish, there are tons of rigid single-speed 29ers on the market that you can find cheap- Surly Karate Monkey, Redline Monocog, Kona Unit, etc. most are geared very low- mine is 32/20, for climbing long hills covered in loose gravel and mud and stuff. for a commuter, you could put a taller gear and some semi-slick tires are ride the heck out of that. (a 29er tire and a 700c tire are the same inner diameter and will fit on the same size rim, within reason regarding the rim's width.) one of the raddest-looking bikes I have seen in Austin is a red/orange Karate Money with bmx handlebars on it. for that matter, 26" hardtails are a dime a dozen these days, and make fun commuters that can take some rough handling but still get you around much faster than a bmx-type bike.

Good points.

Every Thursday evening there is a 10-ish mile ride/bar-cruise, and people ride it on every kind of bike.  I have definitely cranked miles around Austin on bmx 20", 22", 24", as well as singlespeed mtb.

But, when I got a Fairdale Weekender, I was blown away by how fast, smooth, etc. it was on road.  The slightly wider 32mm 700c road tires are fast but feel tough enough for minor bumps on the street. 
Here's an article on road bike tires and how tire width makes a big difference:
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/tire-width-how-much-difference-do-a-few-millimeters-make/ (https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/tire-width-how-much-difference-do-a-few-millimeters-make/)

So, I definitely agree that a cyclocross or true commuter bike is worth it. 

(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/FairdaleWeekender_BlackMarketMOB_CMC_zpsg5k3bnq2.jpg)

 
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: jonathan on February 08, 2016, 12:08:20 PM
if I could only have one bike, it might be my CX bike. 35mm tubeless tires, disc brakes, and a wide range of gears- you can ride it just about anywhere. I have ridden the main trail on the Barton Creek Greenbelt on it. tons of fun.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 01:01:38 PM
Oh yeah, as far as 26" BMX goes, Volume's Sledgehammer and Hessian, as well as the STOLEN Zeke 26" are worth a look.  It seems kinda weak that Volume opted for not-full-chromoly with the Hessian (after the Sledgehammer 26" was all chromo).

https://www.danscomp.com/products/107186/2016_Volume_Hessian_26_Bike.html?gclid=CIzfnr7r6MoCFZWFaQodvhAMGw (https://www.danscomp.com/products/107186/2016_Volume_Hessian_26_Bike.html?gclid=CIzfnr7r6MoCFZWFaQodvhAMGw)

The Volume Sledgehammer 26" was fully jumpable bike.... not just a bar cruiser. 
(http://volumebikes.com/bmx/wp-content/uploads/sledge-id7.jpg)

On the Hessian, you can see the short chainstays (rear tire coming close to the seat tube) at 15.75″ CS.  Also, not as much bottom bracket drop as the Fairdale Taj.

Stolen Zeke 26" -- Note that the Zeke has the bottom bracket above axle level. This will make it feel different from the Taj which has 40mm bb drop.  I'm not going to categorically say one design is better than the other, because I can bunnyhop and manual just as well on an mtb-dj bike with 25mm bb drop as well as a 24" BMX with bb rise, but they do feel different.
(https://bmxcruisers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/stolenzeke-760x565.jpg)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 08, 2016, 02:40:25 PM
I'm 5'9. I ride a 20.5 toptube on BMX bike which seems pretty short these days.

Sorry to spam this thread in a different direction but how are these ones. All I want is a comfortable ride that can handle the elements.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5435534994.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5435534994.html)

http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bid/5419124687.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bid/5419124687.html)

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/5438920514.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/5438920514.html)


Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 02:55:31 PM
I'm 5'9. I ride a 20.5 toptube on BMX bike which seems pretty short these days.

Sorry to spam this thread in a different direction but how is this one

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413657818.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5413657818.html)

Once again the price is what gearing me towards it. The tires do seem pretty skinny though which I don't feel like would work well with a bit of snow.

That's the kind of bike I *might* buy at a thrift store for $15, fix some flats, and re-sell on craigslist. 

Last week I bought a 1982 Univega Alpina Pro for $25 at a thrift store.  They were $695 in 1982.

Don't expect old gears to work really well. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't (derailleur often tweaked).

For your price range, this looks a little better....
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/5409158395.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/5409158395.html)

One of my friends who owns a bike shop that sells used bikes said that he sells a ton of 90's steel all-rigid mtb's as commuters.

This might have a flip flop hub where you can make it regular singlespeed. 
Fixed gear bike for sale - $100 (East elmhurst queens)
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/5438587461.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/5438587461.html)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: jonathan on February 08, 2016, 03:09:50 PM
I'm 5'9. I ride a 20.5 toptube on BMX bike which seems pretty short these days.

we are the same height. I ride a 17-18" mtb frame or a 52-54cm road frame. if you have really long arms, err on the large size. if it's an old 70s road bike you could probably go a size bigger because of the way frames were designed back then.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 08, 2016, 03:11:07 PM
I like that green bike but it seems to be in bad condition. Is it really worth putting the extra money to fix it up a bit? It's probably a dumb question but can I put any old rack on it?

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5437663797.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5437663797.html)

I'm kind of partial to this. Price is good. Has a rack. Fat tires.

Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 03:50:35 PM

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5437663797.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/5437663797.html)

I'm kind of partial to this. Price is good. Has a rack. Fat tires.

Meh, maybe.... It seems to be in that genre that I would call an "Amsterdam" bike (just Google Image search Amsterdam bike and you'll see what I mean).  Some of them are very heavy with cheap steel.    That thing they do with the long stem/neck (for an upright riding stance) is very flexy. 

I admit my Weekender aint exactly light, but still.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 04:00:47 PM
I like that green bike  http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/5409158395.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/5409158395.html) but it seems to be in bad condition. Is it really worth putting the extra money to fix it up a bit? It's probably a dumb question but can I put any old rack on it?

Yes, you can add a rack to most bikes of this style.  The question is does it have the little areas for the attachment bolts...

(http://thesweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/04-bike-carry-rear-.jpg)


The seat post being stuck could be a serious problem.  I've had a couple of flip bikes where I tried to un-stick a seatpost with extreme measures, and just could not make it happen.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html) 

Shifting cables being stuck is not a big deal. You can go buy new shifter cables, lube them well, and be good.

I might wait longer and try to find an MTB that at least has a 1 1/8" Aheadset, instead of the older 1" headset and wedge-bolt stem.  At least you can maybe later put a decent suspension fork on it, if it's 1 1/8".   But, if it's super cheap, I guess, who cares.


Maybe you should visit the mtbr commuter bike forum.....
http://forums.mtbr.com/commuting/help-me-build-ideal-commuter-bike-650542.html (http://forums.mtbr.com/commuting/help-me-build-ideal-commuter-bike-650542.html)
(http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/commuting/570828d1359601749t-help-me-build-ideal-commuter-bike-dscn5728-2-.jpg)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 08, 2016, 04:39:32 PM

This guys got a rack on even though the Taj doesn't have the upper holes or whatever they're called.  Looks like he zip tied it to the seat stays.

(http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q572/aallen8/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/2016-01/CA11C3E6-FBDE-429D-B183-1CAD1186CC73_zpsxppzkjla.jpg)

http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=542610&p=2 (http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=542610&p=2)
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: condrbkr on February 09, 2016, 11:28:14 AM
Mannn if the Taj can't have a rack there definitely goes my dream commute bike right now.

Thanks for all the help, I'll keep all that stuff in mind while scour craigslist the upcoming week. I don't want to show up to the big bike forum and get laughed at haha.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: Hank Chinaski on February 09, 2016, 11:45:28 PM
Check pinkbike.com. They mostly have higher end bikes but I've seen cheap stuff that's well taken care of. You could post you're looking for a cheap commuter in your area, might have luck. It's a lot more lively than here.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: jonathan on February 11, 2016, 09:46:07 AM
Mannn if the Taj can't have a rack there definitely goes my dream commute bike right now.

p-clamps is the answer. I have installed many racks using p-clamps on bike that don't have braze-ons for a rack or just had them in an awkward position.

a seatpost-mounted rack could work too.
Title: Re: 24" bmx frames?
Post by: cmc4130 on February 18, 2016, 10:01:28 AM
Mannn if the Taj can't have a rack there definitely goes my dream commute bike right now.

p-clamps is the answer. I have installed many racks using p-clamps on bike that don't have braze-ons for a rack or just had them in an awkward position.

a seatpost-mounted rack could work too.


yep. just saw this.

http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=5477632#p5477632 (http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=5477632#p5477632)

(http://uploads.bmxmuseum.com/user-images/38285/12654636_10208808934246490_6165671945548291722_n56bb6e385b.jpg)