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I last rode my BMX about 5/6 years ago, and it was probably another year or so before that when I was really clued up on the scene. I kept my bike the whole time, and have been toying with the idea of getting back into it for a while now.
I’ve been looking at upgrading my bike—some of the parts are super old, a bit rusty, or just downright not worth fixing (like my wheels).
I noticed a couple of things since looking at parts and wondered why they changed.
- Freecoasters were coming back into fashion around the time I stopped riding. I’m building a new set of wheels and thinking of going for the old faithful cassette. Why the sudden rise in freecoasters?
- Bars have got crazy high. I have a pair of WTP mad max bars—the OG ones that were like 8.7”. The same bars now come in 10.2”!! Is that not insane?
- Stems all seem to be top loaders too, increasing the bar heights even more. This is another part I need to upgrade but should I go for the extra height, or go for the classic front loader instead?
- 65psi is also popular again. 110 was the most common from what I can remember. Why so low now?
Are there any other big changes in bike style in the last 5 years?
I’m in a position where money isn’t really an issue for me now since I’m older and have a decent job. I figured I would get some top of the range parts and have the bike I always wished I had, but for the current style.
So the parts I’m looking at right now are:
- Gsport Rollcage rims
- Odyssey Vandero
- Odyssey Antigram V2
- Odyssey DGN stem
I’m also looking for recommendations for a set of cranks, sprocket, pedals, and tyres.
I really like the riding style of Tom Dugan—brakeless, pegless, and big air—just in case that wasn’t obvious from the parts lost I’ve already picked haha.
Any suggestions for parts and brands that would help an older dude out would be amazing.