How to choose a BMX bike

BMH is one of the simplest bikes in design, originally created to prepare children for motocross training. However, they are able to withstand such loads that other mountainbikes cannot master, and this makes them an ideal option for stunt riding. Alas, it is possible to find a decent split only for good money, so the pros more often collect their shells themselves. But novice athletes will be able to find a decent BMX in the store. The main thing is to take into account the recommendations of our experts in order to purchase a sufficiently reliable model for your level of riding.

The best BMX bike manufacturers - which company to choose

Experienced racers often “finish” their BMX to such an extent that in the end only the native frame remains from them. However, those who barely started to engage in this spectacular sport, it is easier to take a good bike assembly from a reliable manufacturer.

Excellent models of Bicycle MotoCross offer companies:

• Haro;
• Norco;
• BSD;
• Duo;
• Code;
• Stolen.

The release of BMX are engaged in some manufacturers of mountain bike, such as:

• GT;
• Author;
• Giant.

You will find the best bikes of these brands in our ranking. But before you finally decide on a model, you should study the features of motocross bikes, as well as characteristics that affect their quality and reliability.

The principle of operation and the device BMX-bike

Unlike other extreme bikes, BMX models do not have a suspension. The rigid rigid frame is welded from seamless batting tubes with maximum strength and relatively low weight. This is the only way to improve the reliability of the projectile, experiencing exorbitant shock loads.

It also differs in its geometry: the motocross frame is very low, often elongated, although its length largely depends on the style for which the bike is intended. To increase the reliability of the whole structure, a kerchief is welded on the front triangle right at the helm (it works as an additional stiffening rib), and the rear feathers are fixed to the upper, and not just to the frame seat tube.

Custom design and at the helm. Here it rotates freely through 360 °, which allows you to expand the set of tricks performed on a bicycle. Naturally, there can be no talk of any cables extending from the handles, therefore BMX does not have a gear change system.

As for the brakes, on many models they simply do not exist. And if there is, then it is the most common U or V-brake pads with the transfer of force cable, retracted into the cavity of the plug. It is passed through the gyrorotor in the steering column, since many of the performances on such bikes involve the rotation of the steering wheel - without the “adapter” the brake cable will simply twist and come off.

Another characteristic feature of stunt bicycles is a small wheel diameter up to 20 ″. Firstly, it allows to reduce the mass of the projectile, and secondly, it provides good maneuverability and does not interfere with the athlete to perform basic tricks.

Pegs are additionally fastened to the axes of the wheels - short tubes 10-11 cm long, designed to support the legs and slides (grind) on various surfaces.

Types of bikes for BMX

Street

A straight bike has a lightweight and extremely simple design - often without a seat or brake system. Peggy racer fastens itself, choosing the most convenient side for installation.

The main purpose of such bicycles is stunt riding in city conditions along curbs, railings, steps, etc. They have a shortened frame, an aggressive tread on the front wheel and a traditional slick on the rear one.

Pros:

• Moderately light and compact;
• Narrow steering wheel and short feathers for easy pulling;
• Good grip;
• Maneuverability.

Minuses:

• Jumping from springboards on them is not recommended - almost vertical fork complicates landing;
• Often have a budget kit, even if the frame is good.

Similar tales are used for screw (Vert). This is one of the most spectacular BMX styles - riding in a ramp with air flips and somersaults. Therefore, to equip the "flying" bikes have to otherwise.

The pins are mounted both on the front and rear wheels, and the tires are only slick, with a weakly pronounced tread pattern. The rest of the tales for the screw are the same straights.

Racing

Actually, this is the classic BMX, with which everything once began. Such bikes are designed for high-speed driving with sharp turns of the route, low drops and other minor obstacles. They have a lightweight frame made of durable aluminum alloy 6005A and resistant wheels with a pronounced tread. Brakes are installed only in the back.

Pros:

• Very light, but strong enough;
• A good gear ratio, unlike most BMX;
• They confidently walk on slippery and loose ground;
• More resistant due to elongated base;
• Equipped with good contact pedals.

Minuses:

• Rigid aluminum frame does not dampen vibrations.

Dirt

For dirt (jumps from springboards and extreme riding on earthen embankments), you need squat and heavier bikes. Unlike all other types of BMX, such bikes can be equipped not only with front but also with rear brake.

Pros:

• Equipped with the most durable frames;
• Resistant due to low center of gravity;
• The long base provides stability in flight;
• Large fork deflection angle - a guarantee of a successful landing;
• Tenacious rubber with a powerful tread.

Minuses:

• Heavier than other BMX;
• Not suitable for difficult ground stunts.

Flatland

Flat - a very atypical bike, in principle, not intended to drive. Acrobatics are performed on it and they “dance” on one wheel without touching the ground with their feet.

These bikes have a very short base and almost vertical fork. They are hung with four powerful pegs - a pair on each wheel - so they should have reliable bushes both in front and in the back.

Pros:

• The short frame, and the whole structure is made as comfortable as possible for the tricks;
• Reinforced rim with a large number of needles;
• Full freedom of action with the wheel;
• Responsive and tenacious brakes.

Minuses:

• Very low gear ratio, but these bikes for the ride and are not intended.

BMX bike selection options

Manufacturing material

This parameter determines everything: the weight of the bike, the duration of its “life” (adjusted for your riding style) and the cost of the projectile itself. And we are talking not only about the frame material, but also about other loadable elements: the fork, the steering wheel, and the bushes.

In the production of BMX-bikes apply two main types of metals:

1. Hi-Ten is a common structural steel, inexpensive and far from the most durable. With aggressive skating and jumping, all parts of the bike made from it will quickly require replacement - either bend, or burst. Although under the athletes of low weight, high-ten takes a long time.

2. Cr-Mo - alloyed chrome-molybdenum steel. It is considered ideal for the manufacture of all BMX metal parts, because it is twice as strong as usual. But it is not cheap.

In the average price range, there are bicycles, where some parts of the structure are made of Hi-Ten, while others are made of chrome-molybdenum steel. If there is enough money only for such a model, make sure that at least the frame is alloyed (replacing it will cost too much, unlike other nodes).

BMX on aluminum and titanium frames is a separate category of bicycles. The first are suitable only for racing without serious jumps and strikes, but can be used by teenagers and children. The latter are too expensive, and compared to Cr-Mo, the difference in price does not correspond to the difference in their strength.

Steering wheel and column

The BMX steering column must be powerful enough and have a diameter of at least 1.1 / 8 ″. Preference is better to give the integrated glass, where the default are industrial bearings of the closed type, which do not have any negative impact on the pipe. Moreover, such a column is easier and cheaper to change.

Carriage cup

This seat for the connecting rods pedals and drive sprocket.

Today, BMX manufacturers offer 2 basic types of carriage cups:

1. With pressed-in bearings and a sleeve, it’s better if it is Mid or the lighter Spanish;

2. Threaded, with external bearings (Euro) - not the most running. Heavy, not very reliable and also require the selection of special connecting rods.

Sometimes there are also bicycles with a glass such as an American, where bearings (often loose) are additionally fixed by cups. From the purchase of the device with a carriage fit is better to refuse.

Bushings

Deserve special attention when choosing BMX bikes, as they often take up the entire load.

In addition, they have several options for execution:

1. Frivil are relatively inexpensive sleeves with a ratchet and a rather large, heavy star.

2. With the driver - ideal for stunt models, since the ratchet cassette is more durable than the ratchet and allows you to reduce the weight of the projectile by reducing the pinion gear.

3. The fricoster is a chic and insanely expensive kind of sleeves just for trick bikes. But they practically do not occur on standardized klits, if this is not some kind of flagship model.

Do not forget to specify the type of bearings installed: industrial (industrial) are required on the rear wheel and highly desirable - on the front.

Regarding the size, the back of the sleeve in any case should be 14 mm in diameter - the usual dozen are not suitable here, because after installing the peg under the weight of the rider it will simply expel. On the front wheel, it is allowed to use a 9.5 mm lighter axle - again, if this is not a flat model, and you do not plan to put the front pegs.

Wheels

Immediately take a bike with double rims - they are stronger and more resistant to deformation. Single can be taken for a teenager, but after several unsuccessful jumps he will easily make an eight out of the wheel.

The number of spokes depends on the size of the hub, but the more of them, the more seriously it will be possible to load the wheels - this applies to both the weight of the rider and the level of extreme during the ride.

Tires are usually used wide (1.8-2.25 ″) with a slick or half slick profile. But if you have to roll on poor coverage, it makes sense to take a more aggressive tread.

Pedal material

This is not about the connecting rods themselves - here the choice is obvious: either buy a bike from Cr-Mo right away, or take Hi-Ten and change the alloyed alloy from the first money.

In bike motocross, a significant load falls on the pedal platforms.

Here are the following options:

1. Aluminum pedals - reliable and durable, quite affordable.

2. Magnesium - the best, because at the same indicators of strength weigh less than aluminum, but they are much more expensive.

3. Plastic - inexpensive, easy to change, but they are clearly not enough strength. Yes, and the clutch with the soles of them unimportant.

Size

Strange as it may seem, the traditional frame size does not matter in BMX. On such bicycles ride mostly standing on the pedals, which means that the question of convenience depends only on the constitution of the athlete. Nevertheless, the length of the upper pipe is worth paying attention to.

Choose it better method of fitting, but for the benchmark you can use these numbers:

1. For children and adolescents 140 cm in height, a frame size of 18-20 ″ is considered optimal;

2. With a height of 150-170 cm, it is already possible to take models 20.25-20.75 ″;

3. Tall athletes from 180 cm fit the frame 21-21,2 ″, but this is the ceiling. Doing tricks with this length of the pipe does not seem convenient to everyone.

Which BMX to choose

1. If you want to introduce a child to the sport, take the child’s BMX model on wheels from 12 to 18 inches.Aluminum or Hi-Ten frames with a length of no more than 20 ″ will be enough for him, small sleeves up to 10 mm in diameter - too. Brakes are required.

2. For beginners who only master this spectacular sport, it is better to take a bike of the average price category, but certainly on a chrome-molybdenum frame with an equally reliable steering wheel. The rest of the metal parts of the bike can be made of ordinary steel, if the weight of the rider is small.

As experience accumulates, a part of the budgetary budget should still be replaced. But the rear hub should initially be "adult", that is, have 14 mm in diameter. To the front there are no particularly strict requirements. Brakes, as is the case with children's bicycles, will come in handy at first.

3. Those who have enough money for a good BMX and have extreme skiing experience will need the most durable bike, because you will diligently and competently “kill” it. Accordingly, in its design everything - from the frame to the pedal rods - must be made of Cr-Mo.

Weights, too, should choose the most reliable: Mid-cups on the carriage, cassette bushings with industrial bearings, a powerful aluminum star and the corresponding chain. Pedals are better to choose from magnesium alloy. If something from this list does not appear in the list, it is advisable to immediately purchase and change.

How much is a BMX bike

1. For a children's stunt bike in stores they ask from 5 to 20 thousand rubles.

2. The budget street model on a steel frame can be purchased for 10-22 thousand rubles.

3. Aluminum BMX for racing go at prices ranging from 18 to 28 thousand.

4. Approximately in the same range (15-30 thousand) you can buy combined bikes assembled from alloyed and Hi-Ten parts.

5. Good chrome-molybdenum bicycles can be found with a budget of 19 to 40 thousand rubles, although some of the kit may need to be changed.

6. Really cool bike for motocross, calculated on the level of the pros, will cost from 30 to 100 thousand rubles. Or even higher, if you choose a novelty from a famous brand.