single track mountain biking with a bmx bike?
Do you think it is a bad idea to single track mountain bike with a professional bmx “race” bike. It seem to be physically punishing. the last time i rode my back got all jacked up. what kind of safty gear?
You’re kidding right?….Sure I suppose you can but its your body, how long do you need it for? Yes, it is a bad idea to use that bike. This is why they make 26″ and 29er size wheels and mountain bike frame/ fork bikes. Would you use a VW bug at Daytona? sixsixone makes some of the best safety gear on the market as well as Fox racing what more do you need to know?
If your back didn’t agree with the ride, then that’s your best indicator.
A lot depends on the specific trails involved, but there’s no reason the bike itself can’t handle the trail, it’s just that riding a BMX bike will be more difficult. The primary reasons for this are:
1) Wheel size – BMX wheel/tire diameter is smaller, which means you can’t roll over the same size obstacles as easily. You’ll work harder if the trail is rocky, rutty or rooty, as you’ll have to either dodge things (choose your line more carefully) or lift your front wheel more often. Smaller wheels also mean you feel more bumps.
2) Gearing – the BMX bike has one gear, and it’s not optimized for trail riding. You’ll probably spin faster the whole time, which might seem great for cardio training, but won’t help your endurance on a longer ride.
Beyond those two biggies, there’s also the geometry of the frame (this affects the handling and steering, as well as your position and comfort on the bike), braking and lack of suspension. Some of us old-school people still ride non-suspension mountain bikes sometimes, but they’re definitely not the norm these days and are rare as far as new bikes (usually niche bikes and not at all entry-level).
If your back bothers you, awkward positioning via BMX geometry and lack of suspension aren’t the best combination. I’d recommend trying a hardtrail or full-suspension bike. A lot of people prone to back problems choose full-suspension for fairly obvious reasons, but whether it’s necessary depends on what types of trails you want to ride. It won’t make a huge difference on really smooth trails, and it may feel funny to you after riding BMX…
If you decide to get a mountain bike, check out local shops to figure out what fits you and what feels good to you. This is necessary even if you decide to buy used…at least you’ll have a good idea on fitment before you buy.