BMX Bikes

BMX Bikes for Sale

Since its introduction in the 1970s, the BMX bike has stood out as the bad-boy of the biking world. Forget lazy Sunday cruises and calm long-distance treks. BMX bikes are for intense racing, jumping and stunts!

There are some basic traits that many BMX bikes share; they have a compact frame design, 20 inch wheels, wide tires and a single gear. They’re built for quick moves and are extremely solid to handle all the jumps and stunts you can come up with. Another option are ‘Cruiser’ BMX bikes which typically feature larger 24 inch wheels.

We’ve put together a guide to explain the different types and features of BMX bikes on the market, so you can make an informed choice.

The Right BMX Bike Comes Down to Riding Style

You first need to determine what style of riding you will be doing. If you’re new to the sport, you might not yet know. Once you get into BMX riding, you’ll learn there are five main categories:

• Racing - An Olympic sport since 2008, BMX Racing takes inspiration from motocross racing. In fact, BMX stands for Bicycle Motor Cross. BMX Racing takes place on purpose-built off-road single-lap racetracks where up to eight riders race at the same time.

• Street - You do street riding in town. It allows you to take advantage of curbs, stairs, railings and ramps for performing stunts.

• Park - If you’re lucky enough to live near a bike or skate park, you can really pull off some great tricks. Park riding is also a great way to meet fellow BMXers.

• Flatland - Here’s where you get to be creative. Flatland riding encourages you to learn - and invent - cool tricks on flat ground. Check online for some great videos of flatland riding.

• Dirt - You’ve probably seen highlights of this from X-Games TV coverage. A popular extreme sport, dirt riding uses specially made dirt jumps in order for riders to catch air and perform tricks.

Some of the leading BMX bike brands include Haro, GT, Fit Bike Co and Specialized. They make bikes that can compete in the five main BMX bike disciplines. Of course, you can do all these types of riding on any BMX bike. If you really plan on getting serious about a specific BMX discipline, however, you’ll want to pick a bike for the conditions.

BMX Bike Buying Tips

As with any bike, it’s important to pick the right size. While BMX bikes are typically quite small, there are slightly larger frames available. The material of the frame dictates how strong it is. Aluminium frames are generally light, but they won’t withstand frequent abuse as well as a heavier Chromoly steel frame. Carbon fiber exists as an option in professional-level BMX Racing frames.

Different tire treads are suited to pavement, parks or ramps. For dirt riding you’ll want a tire with a light tread on it. A smoother tire is needed for street and flatland riding. Racers will typically seek a narrower tire with a fast rolling center, and side knobs to aid in corner traction.

Rear pedal brakes are standard on many kids BMX bikes but not on adult version. An adult BMX bike will feature at least a rear rim brake, with Australian-compliant bikes also supplied with a front rim brake. Make sure the cable allows the handle to spin around if you’re doing serious tricks. As BMX Racing bikes are used on a closed circuit and away from traffic, they do not feature a front brake.

When you’re landing hard on your BMX, especially in park and dirt riding, you want strong axles. Sealed bearings are more expensive but are ideal if you’ll be riding in a lot of dirt, dust or water. Axle pegs are a great addition for certain street tricks, but they are not allowed for racing and can get in the way if riding dirt.

Whether you’re interested in a cheap child’s BMX, or you’re looking for BMX bike shops to buy a professional-level bike, you’ll find it all on BikeExchange. Jump over to our editorial section for the latest in all things BMX and biking, from reviews to industry news and contributions from World Champion BMXer Caroline Buchanan.