Entry level bike for pump track
 

An asphalt pump track has opened near me. It looks like a ton of fun. Mostly I'd like to get my 5 y.o. daughter out there to try it out, and figured it would be fun to have my own bike to mess around with as well. I own several cyclocross bikes and am a former MTB rider, but sold my 29" trail bike a few years ago. I did some BMX riding as a teenager but haven't been on a BMX sized bike in decades.

I have been told that I should get a 26" dirt jump bike for pump track riding. I don't know anything about these and am looking for some assistance in narrowing down choices. When I google dirt jump bikes I see a lot of bikes built for big air (which makes sense) and they have suspension. I'm not sure I really need that, and I'm not planning on doing big dirt jumps, so I'm wondering if there's some other option?

Is 26" the "right" size for a 5'-9" 160lb adult? Do I need front suspension?
Any recommendations on brands, sizes, or what kinds of specifics I should look for? I'd love to spend in the range of $500-$800 on this and would consider buying a used bike, but not sure if that's realistic.

Any help is appreciated.

A 24 inch cruiser BMX bike works fine. I go a few times a month and it works well.

Pump bike
 

Yep 24” BMX bike will do the job... just remember the smaller the wheel the faster everything reacts (good and bad). So if you still have cat like reflexes grab a 20” BMX they work a treat on an asphalt Pumptrack but if you’re slowing a a bit, go for the 26” hardtail. Just make sure it has really good standover (low top tube ). Either way you will have a blast and get super fit ... they smash you

My local pump track is really set up for MTB. Any suspension will make it easier to get around the track IMHO. Because it's the whole pumping motion your body does and how the shocks returning the energy to the ground that makes it smoother. I've noticed that most of the kids at my local track are riding Norco Rampage Dirt Jumpers. I think they start around $899 cad and go up from there. I'm 6'2 and 230 and I fit comfortably on the Norco that one of the kids let me try.

I use a 26" MTB my track is dirt with two small concrete tracks in middle.