Few questions (just getting back into it)

sunday cloud seat.

Any pro tec. i prefer the full cut.

just better grips. i recommend odyssey tom dugans.

any nike mid top, skate shoes.

1) Keeping the seat low allows for clearance for tailwhips and other tricks where the backend of the bike needs to spin around. As for the seat pivoting, just personal preference on looks. I have mine at one fist high. You can still get longer seat posts like the S&M Long Johnson and Shadow Conspiracy 320mm.

2) You want something that is CPSC/CE certified.

3) I'm not sure better grips will help, or if you just need to allow your palms to toughen up more. Gloves will help. I used to have some Shadow Conspiracy gloves but eventually stopped wearing them.

4) Good to see more older riders getting back into the sport. I'm 40 and started riding again a few years ago. Look into the Etnies Brake shoe. I hear good things about them.

Welcome back to BMX. I also got back into BMX a couple years ago a little after I entered my 30s. I'm 33 now. I taught my kid who had just turned 5 at the time how to ride a bike but I didn't have a bike of my own. Started off with a Sunday Model C EX and today I now have 4 20" BMXes and 2 24s (The Sunday and a Liquid Feedback).

1) I like to sit and cruise around so I keep the seat post up about 4 fingers or fist height, whatever you want to call it. Easier on the legs, knees too. The seat angle is in parallel with the top tube which is pretty much the default or standard angle.

2) I have a Pro Tec Classic helmet which looks real nice but it's not CPSC/ASTM certified. I value my noggin so my next bike related purchase is a certified helmet. I've been looking at the Bell helmets myself.

3) Padded gloves suck imo. I'd get a minimalist glove and I'd also recommend the ODSY Tom Dugan gloves. You can also check out the Oakley Factory Bike glove or Fox Attack glove which are minimalist also. I have both of these so I can vouch for them.

4) I personally wear Nike SB dunks. Comfortable, durable and the sole doesn't wear out too fast (I ride brakeless on all but one of my 20s).

Welcome back bro, same here I stopped riding @ 20 and didn't start again til last year, I'm 31 now.

If your looking for a good ride shoe I highly recommend etnies RVM, they are really well made, specifically for bmx with really comfy sti foam, they look really nice too.

Good luck with it mate, best decision I ever made getting back to it, one more thing it took me about 3 months of riding daily pretty much for my hands to toughen up, so just ride it out. Get some kind of file or pommi stone for your callouses to file them down when they are big & hard lol and to soften them up, soak then in warm soapy water.

Fondue wrote:

1) Keeping the seat low allows for clearance for tailwhips and other tricks where the backend of the bike needs to spin ...more

Fondue wrote:

1) Keeping the seat low allows for clearance for tailwhips and other tricks where the backend of the bike needs to spin around. As for the seat pivoting, just personal preference on looks. I have mine at one fist high. You can still get longer seat posts like the S&M Long Johnson and Shadow Conspiracy 320mm.

2) You want something that is CPSC/CE certified.

3) I'm not sure better grips will help, or if you just need to allow your palms to toughen up more. Gloves will help. I used to have some Shadow Conspiracy gloves but eventually stopped wearing them.

4) Good to see more older riders getting back into the sport. I'm 40 and started riding again a few years ago. Look into the Etnies Brake shoe. I hear good things about them.

...more

Hope I'm still riding @ 40, good on ya mate.

1) There are plenty of seats around that are nice and comfy. Pivoting allows the seat to be at your preferred angle. But you can do that with a railed seat anyway. Try different seat heights and choose what you like.

2) Get a certified helmet. I like my TSG Evolution.

3) Not really sure what to say about that one, I don't really get bad calluses.

4) I like my Etnies, feel good and last long, and so did the Vans I used to have. I recommend not getting really low shoes and not getting canvas shoes.

Thanks for the responses guys. Nice to see a lot of older riders here.

My biggest problem is I don't have a store to go to and look at parts and I haven't met any riders in my area yet to get their opinions or look at their parts. So i'm pretty skeptical about just straight up ordering online and then hoping it's what I want.

Futon wrote:

Thanks for the responses guys. Nice to see a lot of older riders here.

My biggest problem is I don't have a store to go to ...more

Futon wrote:

Thanks for the responses guys. Nice to see a lot of older riders here.

My biggest problem is I don't have a store to go to and look at parts and I haven't met any riders in my area yet to get their opinions or look at their parts. So i'm pretty skeptical about just straight up ordering online and then hoping it's what I want.

...more

The best thing for you to do is to understand your bike's geometry specs and how you want it to ride. Then based off that, you can figure where you want to go from there.

Ok most people already answered most of the question, but the pivitol seats are stronger and lighter than railed seats.

Fondue wrote:

1) Keeping the seat low allows for clearance for tailwhips and other tricks where the backend of the bike needs to spin ...more

Fondue wrote:

1) Keeping the seat low allows for clearance for tailwhips and other tricks where the backend of the bike needs to spin around. As for the seat pivoting, just personal preference on looks. I have mine at one fist high. You can still get longer seat posts like the S&M Long Johnson and Shadow Conspiracy 320mm.

2) You want something that is CPSC/CE certified.

3) I'm not sure better grips will help, or if you just need to allow your palms to toughen up more. Gloves will help. I used to have some Shadow Conspiracy gloves but eventually stopped wearing them.

4) Good to see more older riders getting back into the sport. I'm 40 and started riding again a few years ago. Look into the Etnies Brake shoe. I hear good things about them.

...more

Soulrebelrastaman wrote:

Hope I'm still riding @ 40, good on ya mate.

Soulrebelrastaman wrote:

Hope I'm still riding @ 40, good on ya mate.

...more

Thanks man. You won't ride the same, but you'll still love it.