BMX Bike Buying Guide

You need to know that all BMX bikes are not the same.  Every bike is designed for a specific type of riding so, knowing what you will use the bike for is very important before buying. This BMX bike buying guide will help you to choose the one for you on the basis of your needs.

1. know your intention

If you are confused about which bike type is right for which type of riding, then ask someone who has knowledge about all kinds of bikes, or if you don’t have anyone in your knowledge which has any idea about this then this buying guide will be the helping hand for you.

We will suggest you borrow someone to know what’s your particular style:

Freestyle/Street

This might be the style of BMX riding that is currently the most popular. The majority of freestyle riding takes place in skate parks or on public streets and involves navigating ramps and other obstacles.

Dirt Jump

Other types of freestyle BMX involve riding bikes over dirt or soil jumps and rising into the air. This fashion originated in BMX track racing.

Racing

BMX race bikes are designed for tracks that have rollers, banked turns, and jumps. You require a lot of power, speed, exercise, and sports drinks. 

Flatland

Flatland is most of the favorites. It is based on balance and control and is known as the waltz of BMX. For slow-speed tricks on flat terrain, flatland bikes are therefore geometrically different from other bikes. Be prepared to spend hours riding around in a parking lot.

2. Make It from the Box

The majority of first-time BMX buyers choose to purchase a complete BMX bike, which is a bike that has all the necessary BMX parts and is already assembled and ready to ride. You can also start from scratch and build your own bike, but that will be much more expensive and you probably won’t know what parts to choose as a novice.

3. Pick the Proper Size

Children, teenagers, and adults of all ages ride freestyle BMX bikes, so while the wheel size remains constant, the frame size can vary subtly to fit the rider’s height and riding style. Most freestyle BMX bikes off the shelf will have a shorter seat stay that is easier to whip around and a top tube that measures 21 inches so that riders have room to swing the bike underneath them when performing airborne tricks.

The only typical exception to this rule is flatland frames, which tend to be lighter and have shorter tubing all around for better balance and control. Additionally, they have 3/8″ dropouts for smaller rear axles and a much steeper head angle.

A mountain bike or road bike has wheels that are much larger than the “standard” BMX wheel size of 20 inches. Even smaller 16- or 18-inch wheels can be found on children’s bikes, while some “trail” BMX bikes used for dirt jumping have larger 22- or 24-inch wheels. However, it is safe to assume that a bike with 20-inch wheels will generally be referred to as a “BMX” bike.

Depending on the size of the wheels, there are two categories for racing BMX bikes. The most popular size is 20 inches, followed by 24 inches, or “cruiser.” Taller or older riders prefer cruiser bikes because they offer more stability.

The wheels are lighter than in freestyle BMX because racing BMX demands lightning-quick acceleration out of starting gates.

4. Components Are Important

A bike’s components can either make the finished product really good or really bad. Additionally, it can drastically alter the price of the bike. So, examine every component of the bike to determine the level of quality you are receiving. It would help if you focused on the following areas:

Spokes

One of the important factors to take into account when selecting a BMX or purchasing new wheels is spoken count. For stability and strength, spokes are “laced” from the hub to the rim. The total wheel’s strength and weight are influenced by the number of spokes. For the majority of riders on a freestyle BMX bike, a 36-spoke wheel will do. A 48-spoke wheel is an option for riders who are more experienced or who are heavier. When something refers to “butted” spokes, such as butted frames, it means that the spokes are thinner in the middle and thicker at the end for added strength. Most spokes are made of steel wire and are the same thickness throughout.

Rims

For freestyle bikes, 32mm rims are the norm. A wider 36mm rim is an option for riders who anticipate giving the wheels a few more hard hits. Rims are made of aluminum and can be single, double, or triple-walled. Although heavier due to the added weight, more layers of metal provide more structural support. Double-wall is the best standard for most riders because it strikes a good balance between strength and weight.

Advanced riders who demand more from their gear will typically opt to have wheels built up aftermarket to precisely meet their needs and will be pickier with rims and spoke count.

Tyres

The choice of tyre will impact the bike’s speed (rolling resistance), grip, and handling because it will be the first point of contact with the riding surface. Smooth-rolling, wider tyres are better for riding on city streets and in parks. Premium BMX tyres can withstand pressures of up to 110 psi, which will enable them to roll more quickly than those with lower pressures and provide rim protection when loaded after hard landings.

In order to have better traction on the ground, dirt jumpers will choose equipment with more tread and lower tyre pressure. Look for 20in x 2.1 tires to increase surface area and improve stability. The good news is that tires can be easily switched out and replaced, so you can decide to do so if you feel the need.

Hubs

The central component of a wheel, BMX hubs are typically made of alloy and house the bearings that the wheels spin on. Bikes or wheelsets with lower price tags will typically have open-cage ball bearings, which, while less expensive, are more prone to damage and have a shorter lifespan than the sealed or cartridge bearings that are an alternative. Small steel balls in cartridge bearings are kept inside a sealed container, protecting them from contamination by dust and other foreign objects. A smoother and more reliable ride is ensured by selecting a BMX bike or wheelset with sealed bearings. The flatland BMX bikes choose 3/8″ (10mm) axles to save weight instead of the standard BMX axle size of 14mm.

Cranks

Cranks for BMX bikes can be one, two, or three-piece constructions.

Left and right crankarms, as well as the spindle, are all made of a single piece of steel in one-piece cranks. These days, only children’s bikes and extremely cheap BMX bikes have arms that are significantly thinner and more flimsy. In two-piece configurations, only one of the crank arms is fixed to the spindle; the other is free-standing. These are typically stronger and thicker than the latter. The crank arms and the spindle are both three separate units in three-piece cranks, which are significantly stronger. For strength and durability, opt for a BMX with a two- or three-piece Chromoly crank.

The length of a crank can range from 145mm to 190mm, but most freestyle riders will choose shorter cranks to allow for clearance.

Materials

Steel is the preferred material for these bikes because it is highly fatigue resistant (important given the amount of abuse these bikes receive! ), is simple to repair, and offers some additional compliance to the ride that increases comfort and eases pressure on the rider’s body.

Aluminum is the material of choice because stiffer, lighter frames are preferred for BMX racing. Since carbon fiber frames further reduce weight and have vibration-dampening qualities not found in aluminum, they are becoming more and more popular among elite BMX racers who are serious about their competition and want to gain an advantage.

5. Let’s Talk about Budget

• $200- $500: 

This is the category that most children’s bikes fall into, with the lower end featuring one-piece cranks, high-tensile steel frames, and more beginner-friendly gearing. It’s possible that sealed bearings are absent or are only present in the rear hub. For the lower end of the spectrum, single-walled rims are to be anticipated.

• $500 – $800:

At this price point, a Chromoly frame is usually included, along with two- or three-piece cranks, and extras like stunt pegs. Gyro brakes and smaller, lighter chainrings with sealed bearings in the bottom bracket and wheel hubs may be found at the top end.

• $800 and beyond:

This level of BMX bikes frequently has custom construction and uses Chromoly components that are both light and strong. Luxuries like lighter hubs, stronger rims, and sealed bearings in the headset, bottom bracket, and hubs are to be expected. The equipment available on bikes at the top end of the spectrum is probably the best you can get if BMX has developed into an all-consuming hobby and riding is becoming more advanced.

Frequently Asked Question