This year has been great for us. If you search back through these Reddit archives for 2026, I've asked a few questions. Now we're on the verge of turning expert. We've had a healthy mix of everything from going to Nationals and competitive state/gold cup qualifiers/locals all while racing tracks of different sizes, shapes, layouts, paving options and styles.

This weekend is Derby City. We can only go for one day. However, if my son gets a win in 8 intermediate, that will be 3 national wins this year in his intermediate class. Then we're going to the Gold Cup Finals and if he wins those, that's 5 national wins and he would turn expert.

We've only raced in KY, IN and IL. After the Gold Cup, Finals add 1 race in WI to the list.

Q: Does that sound like a decent experience to justify the move up from Novice to Expert in one year? Or would you race another year in intermediate and maybe move around the country more to race other states?

I'm asking because I'm torn. I'm definitely not into cruiser bagging or holding our kid back.

On one hand, I knew that my son wasn't a novice. He's been riding at this intermediate level for a long time. He has raced two state series (KY and IN). He would have won KY if we did the local races. He's leading the IN points by +25 points going into the state championship. Gold Cup is another story but we're confident he's gonna do well.

The other hand is racing him in 9 intermediate next year if he doesn't win in Derby + GC finals this year. Being picky about where he races to still be GC eligible next year. And giving him another year to develop before going into the deep end? I know this option is technically holding him back. But there's a financial aspect of this that factors into it our decision.

We wouldn't be holding him back because he would dominate at GC or Grands and we wanna preserve that. It would financially help us as this year was expensive.

I really value this Reddit opinions and Im happy to hear your thoughts. Don't hold back. Tell me how it is.

Here's a couple links to some videos of his riding. Maybe it's better to see him in action vs just reading about it. In these videos he's the SSquared rider in red or Red/white/black

first 8 expert race as an intermediate

racing 8 intermediate with a kid who just turned 8 expert in the same race

Had some fun ripping laps in the 41/45 Cruiser class. Front wheel didn’t wanna stay on the ground!

Looking for a budget first time bmx bike for the local track around here. Hopefully will be racing soon. I raced when I was a kid so I’ve been out of the loop. I wanted to keep the price low as possible to maybe update later if I get into it. This mongoose is on sale for $262 with free shipping due to the 30% sale. Any thoughts?

I just picked up a Ssquared CEO Expert frame (the deal was too good, and I leapt at it) for my son. He's currently on a DK Swift Junior frame. I'm seeing conflicting information about part compatability online and figure I'd just ask here what parts ya'll use for this frame style/size. I've replaced various parts on my son's DK, but I've never built a bike from the ground up before. Any recommendations are appreciated, especially when it comes to forks!

So I bought a Speedco and it seems like my dxr crank spindle is too long. I know they can work with bb86 but I can find spacers online and idk what else to do. They move side to side bc there isn’t a spacer but idk if there’s spacers I can get or just another bb

What small parts do you all keep in your car/tool box for race days?

I need to get a small toolbox together to keep and want to know what all is recommend for extras

If it matters here is my race bike

SSquared xxx CEO frame
Shimano deore xt disc barkes
Super cross bars
Super cross front load stem
Answer dagger carbon forks
Sinz 175mm cranks
Rennen chain ring
Onyx Ultra SS hubs 36 hole
OS alienation hoops with black ti spokes

This bike will be on display at the Made show in Portland this weekend in the Chris King booth. After that this will tour the race circuit with Corben.

First BMX in decades.

Marketplace find, just added new tyres, grips, chain and brake pads.

Having a blast.

I’ve started racing again, but this time on a 24” cruiser after a long break. I could manual a 20” before, not great, but I knew the technique and pop.

But on a cruiser, I’m trying to learn to manual and I just cannot get the front wheel up, the drop your butt down and back “pop” does nothing for me on a cruiser compared to 20”.

Am I missing something obvious?

39 y/o M novice. Primarily race cruiser

I prefer racing cruiser because it rolls more easily and feels more stable for someone who has logged a single digit number of races, but when I am training and working on honing skills (weight distribution, pumping, etc.) is it more beneficial for me to spend more time training on my class bike because it is less forgiving, or more beneficial to devote more time doing those practice reps on the same setup I race on?

Old, fat, out of shape. Finished last in my age group. Had a blast. Hope I get to do it again.

I bought an used bike (junior) for my son about a month ago for $200 and after my son rode it sparingly I discovered the rear wheel hub is not working properly. I could purchase a new hub or new wheel, but these cost almost as much or even more than the bike itself. I ended up buying another larger used bike (expert) and swapping out the rear wheel. Everything works fine, however I am still stuck with a larger bike with no rear wheel. I have looked on ebay, marketplace, craigslist, and offerup for wheels but they are few and far between and usually expensive. I am avoiding replacing the hub, because I just don't have time or experience to make that repair. Can anyone suggest a source or something I might have missed when it comes to bmx race parts so that I can find a wheel that doesn't cost more than the bike itself?

Just like The title says, I’m trying to find the weight of the Maybo clipper mini race bike. None of the sites listed it, So I’m wondering if anyone has one and happens to know 😊

Just got my first race bike. Has onyx hubs and a shimano disc brake.

When pedaling it makes this sound. Any idea if it’s normal? And what is causing it?

I’m guessing this would represent a step backwards to many but this was a game changer for me.

GHP Pro 24 cruiser frame, redline wheelset (Rhyno Lite + RL hubs), speedline stem + DK bars

It took some getting used to last night (I have been running a DK Cygnus cruiser geared 33/15 and a good 10 lbs heavier at least with much shorter bars) but by the end of the night I felt like I was FLYING.

My son is 8i in North Central. He won his first Gold Cup race and he finished second in his second gold cup race. So he has 41 of 42 available points.

Three kids have a perfect score of 42.

Two have 41.

Two have 40.

There's still one more race in the gold cup series before things are finalized in MN.

My question is: Realistically, in your opinion, are we in the hunt "point wise" for a Gold Cup plate, should things go right and some luck falls our way?

It's our first year and I'm really looking for advice from people that have been to a gold cup final / maybe have been in our position?

Obviously we don't know because the races have to be run and anything can happen.

I'm more looking to see if we're sitting in a good position at the moment? 1 point doesn't seem like it's a big deal to some. But we think it could be the deciding factor compared to years past.

I understand it's a two day event to decide the gold cup standings. How do points and things work in the finals?

Thank you in advance. L

When buying a used bike, what tune up/once over do you do before you ride it?

Just got my first race bike and got it used, so before I go on the track I want to make sure it’s good to go

Anyone if the nut that holds the pedal and spindle together is supposed to be a little loose? If I tighten it the whole way it doesn't spin free. I don't want my daughters pedal to come off while racing

My local track has a pretty large group of racers that race in their own dirt jumper class. Usually 2-3 motos of dj’s on any given night. However there is a couple guys who also run their dj in novice class. I think it’s kind of lame. Is this legal? I thought only 20in and 24 in were allowed in novice class? Interested in everyone’s opinions

Back in the sport at 40 after 25 years away. My son showed interest, took him to a free practice at our local track and I caught the bug again.

Gave $400 for it. Good deal? Did I get taken? Rode a 97 speed series as a kid so I wanted another one.