Scroll through the Throne Goon lineup and the spec sheets start to blur. One listing says mechanical disc, the next says hydraulic. One bike rolls on 24 inch wheels, another on 29s, and a pricier sibling adds ten gears. The name stays the same while the bikes underneath quietly change.
For riders shopping among wheelie bikes, the useful question is not which Goon is best but which parts are fixed and which are up for choice. This guide from Billet BMX sorts the family into constants and variables, using the specs printed on the product pages. Readers who want a model-by-model sizing walkthrough can start with the Goon models, sizes and upgrades guide, then return for the spec-level view.
What Stays the Same Across the Goon Family
Open the 24, 26 and 29 inch listings side by side and a pattern shows up quickly. Each uses a TIG-welded 6061-T6 alloy frame, a 1-1/8 inch Cr-Mo fork, a sealed Throne headset and a 5 inch yoke. The cockpit matches too, with 810mm alloy bars rising 140mm and a 215mm saddle. In practice, a rider who learns on one size finds the same hand position on the next.
A Cockpit Built for Wheelies
Eight hundred ten millimeters is roughly 32 inches, and 140mm of rise works out to about 5.5 inches. Wide bars give plenty of leverage for the small corrections a balance point demands, while the moderate rise keeps the arms from reaching too far forward. Riders who want to fine-tune that setup can read how the right rise gives wheelie bike handlebars their control.
A Rear Hub That Engages Quickly
The 24, 26 and 29 inch Goons all list a 120 click rear hub. That number counts engagement points, so the cranks turn only about 3 degrees before the wheel catches. For wheelie practice, quick pickup helps a rider add pedal power the moment the front wheel rises instead of waiting for slack to disappear. The drivetrain around it stays simple: a Throne alloy three-piece crank, a 33T chainring and a 68mm sealed bottom bracket.
What Changes With Wheel Size
Brakes: Hydraulic or Mechanical
The 29 inch Goon C Shadow Black and the Runner list hydraulic brakes. The 24 and 26 inch listings show mechanical discs, and the 27.5 inch XL Runner carries a rear-only mechanical disc. The difference shows up in lever feel and upkeep. Mechanical discs use a cable and need hand adjustment as pads wear, while hydraulic systems use fluid and occasionally need bleeding. Since the rear brake is a wheelie rider’s safety net, anyone moving between sizes should expect a different feel at the lever and give it a few sessions.
Tires and Volume
The 24, 26 and 29 inch bikes all list 2.50 inch Maxxis tires, so tire volume stays put while wheel diameter grows. The XL Runner steps up to Vee Speedster tires at 3.0 inches wide. More volume generally adds cushion and low-speed grip, though wider rubber also adds rotating weight.
Gearing: One Speed or Ten
Standard Goons run a single speed. The Goon Runner adds a Deore 10-speed derailleur on a CNC alloy hanger, a change that suits riders who split time between wheelie practice and longer rides. Anyone weighing that trade-off can read this comparison of wheelie bikes with gears versus single-speed. A derailleur also adds parts to protect, so the extra range makes the most sense for riders who will use it.
The XL Runner Follows Its Own Parts List
The 27.5 inch XL Runner is the odd one out. Its listing names a Run the Streets Oversize 4130 chromoly fork with a disc tab, 175mm two-piece forged alloy cranks on a 24mm hollow spindle, and Throne Hype sealed hubs with a 16 tooth cassette. The frame is a Throne Hex 27.5 in heat-treated 6061 aluminum. In short, it follows a different parts list from the 24, 26 and 29 inch Goons, so any part meant to move from one to the other deserves a spec check first.
The Case for the 24 Inch Goon
The smallest Goon rarely gets the spotlight, yet it keeps the full family cockpit. The Goon 24 in Purple Smash lists 24 x 2.50 Maxxis tires, double-wall rims, a mechanical disc brake and the same 810mm bars, at $649 on the day of writing. That is the lowest price among the Goon listings reviewed here. A rider who later steps up a size keeps the same hand position on the bars.
The page does not publish a rider height range, and it showed as sold out at the time of writing. Shorter riders, and parents shopping for a growing teen, should confirm sizing with the shop before ordering. The Throne Cycles collection shows what is in stock at any given moment.
Goon Specs Side by Side
The table pulls the headline specs from each listing so the differences are easy to
Specs That Are Missing From the Pages
Spec sheets describe parts, not fit. The Goon pages print part details clearly, including alloy grade, tire width, brake type and bar dimensions, which is why this guide leans on them. Geometry figures, bike weight and rider height ranges are not listed. Those gaps matter most for riders between sizes, so a quick message to the shop before ordering is worth the extra minute.
Matching the Spec Sheet to the Rider
Each pick below keys off a single spec rather than a rider type, which keeps the choice grounded in what the bike actually has.
A Straightforward Starting Point
The Goon 26 in White Chill keeps the full cockpit and the single-speed drivetrain at $749, which makes it an easy entry into the family for riders who prefer a smaller wheel.
Hydraulic Stopping Power
The Goon 29 in C Shadow Black adds hydraulic brakes and 29 inch wheels for $799, the step up most riders usually make once the basics feel comfortable.
Range for Longer Rides
The Goon Runner 29 in White Lux brings the 10-speed Deore drivetrain at $1,199 for riders who want gears alongside wheelie capability.
After the Bike Arrives
Throne Goons ship partially assembled, and the listings state that a certified bike technician should complete the assembly, with improper assembly possibly voiding the warranty. Complete bikes usually ship in two to four days. Once the bike is built, the Throne bike parts collection stocks the follow-up items, and the guide to upgrading Goon axles, stems and drivetrain covers what to change first. A short torque check after the first few rides is wise on any newly built bike, since bolts can settle once the parts start moving. Riders still deciding between brands can read the SE versus Throne comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Throne Goon bikes share the same handlebars?
Most Goons, including the 24, 26 and 29 inch bikes and the Runner, use 810mm bars with 140mm rise. The XL Runner uses Throne four-piece chromoly bars.
Are the brakes the same on every Goon?
No. The 29 inch Goon and Runner list hydraulic brakes, the 24 and 26 inch bikes use mechanical discs, and the XL Runner runs a rear-only disc.
What does a 120 click rear hub mean?
It means the hub has 120 engagement points. The wheel catches after roughly 3 degrees of crank rotation, so pedal power reaches the rear wheel quickly.
Do Throne Goon bikes arrive fully assembled?
No. They ship partially assembled, and the listings say a certified bike technician should finish assembly because improper assembly may void the warranty on the bike.
Which tire size does each Goon use?
The 24, 26 and 29 inch Goons list 2.50 inch Maxxis tires matched to wheel size. The 27.5 inch XL Runner uses 3.0 inch Vee Speedster tires.
Conclusion
Throne Goon wheelie bikes look confusing mainly because the name covers several different builds. The frame, cockpit and basic drivetrain stay consistent, while wheel size, brakes, tires and gearing decide how each bike behaves. Reading the spec sheet in that order, constants first and variables second, makes the lineup far easier to sort. One question helps most: which spec on the sheet matters for the next year of riding? From there the choice finally comes down to rider size, budget and how much braking and gearing the riding calls for, and Billet BMX keeps the listings and the parts to back that decision up, whichever size wins out.
