Difference between a 18" MTN bike and BMX?
01-29-18, 10:18 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Difference between a 18" MTN bike and BMX?
Hello it's been years since I've ridden a BMX but I remember them being a little big for me at 11 yrs old,im thinking of buying a 20" BMX because it is cheaper and lighter than a MTN bike also I really only use 44:16 gear anyway(I don't usually go over 15mph).
I recently have ridden a 18"or 17" MTN I'm not sure which but I can raise the seat high enough so that my knees don't hurt CA I do that with a 20" BMX? Is there a huge difference in the frame sizes?
I'm 5'11" and I've seen dudes way taller riding BMX bikes but they were younger (I'm 43) with a bad knee,also I might attach a trailer can I do that with a BMX?
Thanks for your time
I recently have ridden a 18"or 17" MTN I'm not sure which but I can raise the seat high enough so that my knees don't hurt CA I do that with a 20" BMX? Is there a huge difference in the frame sizes?
I'm 5'11" and I've seen dudes way taller riding BMX bikes but they were younger (I'm 43) with a bad knee,also I might attach a trailer can I do that with a BMX?
Thanks for your time
01-29-18, 11:02 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18350 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times
in
3,346 Posts
Check how you're measuring.
Common wheel sizes are: 12", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24", 26", 27", 650b, 700c=29" etc, with 18" and 22" being less common than the others, and 27" being obsolete. And, of course, some inch sizes also have several different rim sizes that have about the same outer diameter.
Frame sizes are commonly also about 16" to 24" or so.
So, I'm guessing your 20" BMX bike has 20" wheels, and your 17" or 18" MTB has 26" wheels and a 17" frame. Completely different beasts.
I think there are BMX bikes with 24" wheels... maybe, but most have 20".
I'm always amazed at the number of very tall teenagers that appear to be quite happy riding BMX bikes. However, I don't think I'd recommend a 43 yr old with a bum knee starting off with one.
If cash is tight, check Craigslist, or thrift stores for a bike that fits you (vintage road bike, or vintage MTB). If space is tight, there are also "folding" bikes that typically have 16" or 20" wheels. They can be a little more expensive, but used ones show up regularly.
The best deals on used bikes often need a bit of work...
Common wheel sizes are: 12", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24", 26", 27", 650b, 700c=29" etc, with 18" and 22" being less common than the others, and 27" being obsolete. And, of course, some inch sizes also have several different rim sizes that have about the same outer diameter.
Frame sizes are commonly also about 16" to 24" or so.
So, I'm guessing your 20" BMX bike has 20" wheels, and your 17" or 18" MTB has 26" wheels and a 17" frame. Completely different beasts.
I think there are BMX bikes with 24" wheels... maybe, but most have 20".
I'm always amazed at the number of very tall teenagers that appear to be quite happy riding BMX bikes. However, I don't think I'd recommend a 43 yr old with a bum knee starting off with one.
If cash is tight, check Craigslist, or thrift stores for a bike that fits you (vintage road bike, or vintage MTB). If space is tight, there are also "folding" bikes that typically have 16" or 20" wheels. They can be a little more expensive, but used ones show up regularly.
The best deals on used bikes often need a bit of work...
02-05-18, 01:25 AM
#5
BMX Connoisseur
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774
Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
69 Posts
A 18'' MTB is really small and it's differen't then a 20'' BMX. If you need a bike to sit down on I'd try a 24'' or even a 26'' BMX or a old school BMX with a tall seat post.
02-05-18, 12:05 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,395
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1765 Post(s)
Liked 1,124 Times
in
746 Posts
An 18" Mtb is a medium size frame. Probably pretty close to your size, if perhaps a tad small-- i ride 17" at 5'8"
That said, at 5'8, i cannot get the post high enough on my old SE OM Flyer (a 26" BMX) to get decent leg extension for riding it anywhere but the bmx track, - but i am really looking serious at the SE Big Ripper (a 29" bmx) -- this looks like it would work well for just cruising
Or you could look into a single speed MTB , Redline makes a few of them i think
That said, at 5'8, i cannot get the post high enough on my old SE OM Flyer (a 26" BMX) to get decent leg extension for riding it anywhere but the bmx track, - but i am really looking serious at the SE Big Ripper (a 29" bmx) -- this looks like it would work well for just cruising
Or you could look into a single speed MTB , Redline makes a few of them i think
