Many riders new to BMX are keen to integrate themselves fully into the scene as soon as possible, perhaps by building a fully-customised BMX bike, and learning impressive tricks. With BMX however, slow steady progress can ultimately prove more fruitful.

Whilst customising a BMX bike from scratch may seem an exciting option, particularly with the vast range of quality BMX parts on the market, for the beginner complete customisation may prove to be a complex step too far. Without the necessary experience it may be all too easy to combine parts that do not work together in an optimum way, and some combinations may prove dangerously incompatible.

Even where the best advice is sought from a specialist dealer, the beginner may still struggle to find a bike technician fully competent in BMX to put their custom bike together properly. Frankly, even then, most experts would agree that for a beginner, customisation to such a degree is really an unnecessary extravagance. Many would argue that it may be more sensible, and probably more economical, to buy a good quality complete BMX bike and change individual parts as the rider gains experience.

On the tricks front, more can often be gained through steady practice, with as much professional guidance as can be obtained, than through taking sudden risks. Practising wheelies over a long period, for example, will do much to enhance the rider’s balance.

At BMX.co.uk we not only have a wide range of quality, value bikes, but we can also offer advice for those buying their first BMX bike, such as a Hoffman BMX.