Choosing the best BMX bike for you

Get a BMX bike to suit your riding style

The first-time buyer of a BMX race bike can be forgiven for being utterly bewildered by the range of options on show.

Walk into any store or trawl the BMX bike offers online, and you will find scores of bikes for every occasion.

The sheer range can be intimidating, with bikes for every riding style, from dirt and street bikes to freestyle and racing bikes.

Manufacturers display a range of accessories and a vast assortment of colours to encourage customers to buy their perfect BMX machine.

However, the term BMX encompasses many flavours and includes both heavy and lightweight machines. Some have heavy-duty wheels, others have thicker axles, and still others have different gear systems, a broad range of brakes, or no brakes at all.

The term BMX encompasses a wide range of options, categories, and genres, so it pays to do some research first to narrow down the possibilities and hone in on the best bike for your needs.

Decide on the type of bike

First, understand that BMX bikes fall into two main categories. It's crucial to nail down your requirements from the very start.

There are two types of bike frames to choose from: Freestyle and Racing. Although the frames may look pretty similar, there are some crucial differences, and it pays to understand them.

Freestyle and Jump Bikes are designed to withstand a lot of punishment from the rider. Because freestyle machines experience significant strain during use, their frames are heavier.

Each bike has 36-48 spokes.BMX racing bike frames look similar but are manufactured from lighter metals. This improves BMX race track performance and supports everyday recreational use.

Jump bikes are ideal for rough handling, but they are harder to control in light recreational use and may include features you rarely need for everyday riding.

Once you pick the right BMX frame for your needs, choices become much more straightforward. But there are more vital decisions to make before making that all-important purchase.

Get the price point right

First, set your price point. Many excellent BMX bikes can be purchased for £300-£400. Of course, you can find cheaper models, but lower-priced bikes are frequently made from inferior materials and need higher maintenance.

You can also pay well over £1,000 for a pro-BMX racing bike made of premium materials designed for maximum racetrack performance. Still, there is little point in paying for a top-of-the-range machine until you are an experienced and enthusiastic rider.

On the other hand, you may not have ambitions to be a top-flight pro-BMX racer, but spending more upfront on a performance machine can work out cheaper.

It will increase your enjoyment of the sport, last longer, and be easier to maintain. Make a reasoned choice based on your current ability and budget.

Don't forget the accessories

When setting a price, including the necessary accessories, such as a helmet, gloves and clothing, is crucial. Helmets are a must-have, while gloves provide maximum handling control.

Clothing includes jackets, shorts, and shoes that enhance riding performance and may include special safety features.

Whatever machine you choose, ensuring it fits your size is vital. A bike that is too small will be difficult to ride and reduce your enjoyment of the sport.

Size depends not only on wheel height but also on the length of the top bar from the handlebars to the saddle. Generally, longer bars are better for taller riders.

Bike buying options

Here are additional tips for understanding the differences among BMX bike types. It is so central to choosing a BMX bike that it warrants repeating.

Freestyle BMX bikes will have sturdy, heavy-duty frames designed to withstand the rigours of stunt riding on dirt or the street.

Freestyle BMX bike wheels typically feature stronger spokes and wider tyres to improve surface grip, and often include specialist braking systems to prevent cable tangling during full-circle turns.

Jump versus freestyle

Jump BMX bikes are similar to freestyle bikes but feature even stronger frames and wheels to withstand the impact of landing jumps.

They also have thicker, stronger wheel spokes. They usually have rear-wheel brakes only and often come without a saddle, as jump riders rarely need to sit when jumping.

BMX race bikes have lighter frames, thinner wheels, tyres, and fewer spokes. Racing bikes are designed for speed and acceleration, with different front and rear sprockets to boost top speed.

Whatever bike is best for you, remember to do thorough research to ensure you buy the BMX bike that best fits your needs.

More on bikes

 Anatomy of a bike
 Track racing gates
 Get on a BMX bike