Why is BMX so much more neglected then it was a few years ago?
612100
This is likely just a matter of opinion. Extreme sports have just been gaining in popularity, and the perception of the sport in your area might be drastically different from most other areas.
486262
Daniel H has set out the case brilliantly for the true revival in bikes for people (instead of the recent trend in making us humans conform to the high techery in the bikes).\n\nBut bikes are back because of the rising oil prices, combined at last, with the realisation that we can't keep putting all that carbon monoxide into the air just to go to the paper shop. \n\nBikes are back because people are learning they offer the all-round best exercise workout, they're fun, they're companionable and they let you see bits of the World you miss by car (and even on foot).\n\nBikes are back because the quality and sheer variety of modern bikes is extraordinary. They need hardly any maintenance, they don't rust anymore, they're not messy and they're easy to live with.\n\nLike Daniel I am really pleased to see the re-emergence of gear hubs - the new geration models are fantastic (my wife has a city bike fitted with a Shimano Nexus - its excellent).\n\nBUT - you asked is the sport of cycling dying. In short No. Sadly though, the old days of club racing seem to be over at the Sunday amateur level. Its all about big events and corporate sponsorship. Nevertheless, we're seeing new velodromes being built (that means big investment) and massive sponsorship in the big road racing teams. In Europe cycling is a passion second only to football (quite right too, I may be cycling mad, but football is close to God). \n\nCycle sport is not dying ... its changing.
277499
i think it went down after the michael jordan era. what the nba needs now is a rivalry like the bird-magic rivalry to spice up the nba or another dynasty like the bulls. hopefully this. basically without a player as dominant as jordan or a rivalry like the celtics lakers in the 80's the popularity really went down.
96519
Probably for the same reason there are lowriders and chopped motorcycles...cuz they can. In my day it was cubic inches and horsepower. For the life of me, I can't figure out why someone would spend thousands of dollars to make a car jump around like the devil is behind the wheel. But I do admire the hard work and innovation that goes into making it happen. Don't ask why, admire the work and move on if it isn't for you. C'mon...some of them are actually pretty cool :).
126586
There was a 6-wheeled F1 car in the past.  It was built by Tyrell in 1976.  The idea was to reduce drag in the front while keeping the same level of grip.
19505
Racetracks were always a little lower to lessen the effect of the wind. Now its more by tradition, since artificial structures usually block the wind.
691856
I put a pair of Specialized Cumulous (or something) on my old mountain bike to use it in the city.  The fact is that on asphalt, 26-inch road slicks are *way* better than knobbies. They're faster and corner better, and if the asphalt is wet, they're just safer.
599868
If you are talking about the 1986 BMX film unfortunately it is not available on DVD.  Check this site out which is a great resource for finding info on classic 80's films.
1158428
Pretty cool back in 1998, pretty lame now.\n\nMy prediction is that no one will join them.
1151545
Ok, so "ardi_95" says he's got experience with bikes... although I'm at odds with his ego, I am in his corner here.\n\nPersonanlly I *like* the older bikes and enjoy fixing them up. I wouldn't worry about adding more gears just because that's the trend. If you plan to be a racer, *then* I would worry about more gears and in which case, just buy a new bike. But if you're not a racer, don't worry about what's the latest fad. The important thing is do *you* really like the Nishiki? That is the most important piece -- if the frame fits you, you're comfortable on it and it does what you want, keep it.\n\nIf you decide to sell it, call me first!\n\nAnd since you've asked for qualifications, I will just give a run down of my bike shed...Road Bikes: Trek 400 (mid 80's) Miyata 110 (late 80's), Trek 2300 (late 90's carbon fiber), Bianchi Campione D'Italia (late '80's), Takara (late '70's). Mountain Bikes: Giant ...crap, don't remember (2004), GT LTS Team Issue (2000): Recumbents: BikeE CT (2004), Linear LWB folder (mid 90's). Various BMX, cruiser and other bikes. Anything else feel free to contact me off the list.
807538
Worldwide? 1.3 million active participants.\nNo idea on the US. Same question posted here and some demographic guy offered to find out:\nhttp://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=38957\n\nQUOTE:\nI actually work for Claritas, Inc. It's a demographics and marketing intelligence firm. We provide marketing material and demographics on just about everything you could imagine. I haven't done anything with dirtbike riders, but I could take a look and see what we have. \n\nWhat are you looking to do with the information. Let me know, reach me at jharmon@claritas.com.
1024802
hey there is no point in a 70's dirt bike its a waste of time, the engine is fucked! if u wanna dirt bike get it from the 90's n up only! TRUST ME!!!
527808
Send me a pic to bmxcollections@yahoo.com and I could probably tell you depending on year and style i should be able to pinpoint it within a year
1049298
A lot of it stems from the first X-Games in 90-something.  It was the first year of the X-Games and right along side people like Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman, people who have been pros in their sports for years and years, there were rollerbladers.  Skateboarders and BMXers were upset that this brand new sport was getting just as much exposure as their sports which had been around for so long and that they had invested so much of their lives in.  For a lot of rollerbladers, this was the first time they heard the nickname "fruitbooters."  \n\nSince then, word has trickled down and even though our sport has progressed at incredible levels over the last ten years, skateboarders and BMXers are threatened by rollerbladers taking away their tv air time and sponsorship dollars.  Some of the biggest pros in their industries spend much of their time infront of people at companies like NBC and ESPN explaining why rollerblading shouldn't be allowed on tv.\n\nThe best rollerbladers today are skating way more technical than most skateboarders out there and are hitting stuff just as big as BMX can.  Our sport is coming up and like it or not, we will be just as big as or bigger than those guys one of these days.
1173096
WHEN I WAS 12YRS OLD I WAS RACING BMX IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND IT WAS THE LAST RACE OF THE YEAR.  THE PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING WERE TO BIG BUT I DIDN'T LISTEN TO MY DAD AND CHANGE.  MY RACE CAME UP AND IN THE FIRST TURN I WRECKED WHEN I STOOD UP I LOST MY PANTS IN FRONT OF ABOUT 3500 PEOPLE.
1164228
http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/\n\nI'm surprised they still run that.  I remember that from back in the 1980's.
973849
They both used to be well-known French brands with Motobecane more in line with Peugeot and Schwinn and Mercier an upmarket, maybe even high end brand. Both names were bought by a Chinese manufacturing concern and sell bikes that offer high content for the money. They should be good bikes but they don't make buyers skip a heartbeat in excitement.