Race Bike for 5yr old Beginner?

Here is a sizing chart in the 2012 Redline racing catalog. It should give you an idea, and since its the brand you're looking at, I would be more prone to trusting it than a random Internet chart.
As far as you're second question, when it comes to racing, it's hard to beat Redline, and their prices aren't bad either.

Redline is where it's at

Chuck8273 wrote: Here is a sizing chart in the 2012 Redline racing catalog. It should give you an idea, and since its the brand you're looking at, I would be more prone to trusting it than a random Internet chart.
As far as you're second question, when it comes to racing, it's hard to beat Redline, and their prices aren't bad either.

Thanks for the quick response! I will def check out the size chart and see what size he falls into. I bought my son a street bike last month with an 18" TT to use next year, but it seems a bit big and he struggles to ride it well, hence my post! lol

Yeah, at the local bike track, 80% of the kids are riding Redline, the rest are riding higher end or customs. Unfortunately, I will probably only be able to afford the MX entry level series.

K_A_N_E_ wrote:

Redline is where it's at

Ha! yeah I see most of the kids riding them at the track and figured they must still make quality bikes. Plus, there are used ones on CL still going for no less than $250 that are a few years old, so at least when I sell it i'll recoup some$.

Anything with 3pc cranks and dual pinch bolt stem with sealed hubs should hold up well for him. I don't know much about racing but I think a 16" sounds ideal.

Redline and GT have always been my favorite!
although I always raced a GT.

I never raced but redline or gt is your best bet

Hi Mark. Seeing you're from Beloit makes me guess that your son would race in Rockford. With that being said, you should take him to a race and have him ride a few different sized bikes. Most people would be happy to let him try out their ride knowing that he's looking to get into racing. We'll be down there this weekend. Check out the bike shop in Loves Park/Rockford called Spoke Monkey. The owner's name is Mark also and he'd be able to let your son try a few bikes. His shop sponsors racers, and he has some kids of his own that race. My son is 7 and just started racing this past summer and he's riding a junior model race bike with 20x1.1/8 wheels and fits him great. He's about 51". It's a Specialized Hemi, so it's not a new bike, but we got it in outstanding condition from Craigslist.

Madtown608 wrote:

Hi Mark. Seeing you're from Beloit makes me guess that your son would race in Rockford. With that being said, you should take him to a race and have him ride a few different sized bikes. Most people would be happy to let him try out their ride knowing that he's looking to get into racing. We'll be down there this weekend. Check out the bike shop in Loves Park/Rockford called Spoke Monkey. The owner's name is Mark also and he'd be able to let your son try a few bikes. His shop sponsors racers, and he has some kids of his own that race. My son is 7 and just started racing this past summer and he's riding a junior model race bike with 20x1.1/8 wheels and fits him great. He's about 51". It's a Specialized Hemi, so it's not a new bike, but we got it in outstanding condition from Craigslist.

Madtown,

Thanks for the advice. Seeing as how you know the area I am from,your advice was really helpful. Rockford is indeed the track I was speaking about in my OP. We are down there almost every Sunday and my son loves the scene. He cannot wait until next season. That is when mom cleared him to race, Ha! Two weeks ago, I heard the announcer mention that they had loaner bikes. I thought about asking, but was not sure what they had or how it works. I am also familiar with Spoke Monkey. I have seen their team riders and have also spoken to Mark via email when I was looking for my son's street bike. I ended up buying from kegal's though, but I will keep that advice in mind.

mark1280 wrote:

Madtown,

Thanks for the advice. Seeing as how you know the area I am from,your advice was really helpful. Rockford is indeed the track I was speaking about in my OP. We are down there almost every Sunday and my son loves the scene. He cannot wait until next season. That is when mom cleared him to race, Ha! Two weeks ago, I heard the announcer mention that they had loaner bikes. I thought about asking, but was not sure what they had or how it works. I am also familiar with Spoke Monkey. I have seen their team riders and have also spoken to Mark via email when I was looking for my son's street bike. I ended up buying from kegal's though, but I will keep that advice in mind.

No worries Mark. Maybe we'll see ya at the track this weekend. Don't forget about Walworth County BMX in Elkhorn for the indoor season. They start up on the last weekend of October if my memory serves me correctly. Cheers!