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BMX bikes came onto the scene in the 1960’s. They were a takeoff on the motocross motorcycles, and became very popular with kids who admired these and wanted to learn some bike tricks of their own. The classic BMX was the first BMX bike, and is still very popular today. However, you should consider what you want to use your bmx bike for.
If you want a bike for jumping, you may not want a classic bmx. The classic bmx can’t support a lot of high jumps and hard landings. The frame is lightweight, which means it will jump easily, but also means that it won’t land so well. You need a sturdier frame for jumps, so you should choose a jump model such as a Barracuda BMX Grind.
If you want a bike for tricks, but you also intend to use it on flat roads and pavement, you’ll want a freestyle bmx. These are heavier, steel frames, but they can take a lot of impact, and they are sturdy and reliable. For a good freestyle bike, try a MirraCo. If you do want a classic BMX, or true BMX, there are many choices. These bikes were built for racing, and the light aluminium frame makes for smooth, fast riding. A Redline is a good classic BMX choice. There are many different styles and brands of BMX bike, but deciding what you want to use your bike for is the best way to figure out which bike is best for you.
Deciding on a BMX Bike
September 1st, 2010Why there are so few BMX bikes in high street shops
August 26th, 2010Anybody who has ever looked for a BMX bike in high street stores will testify to there being a very disappointing lack of choice. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, several bike shops simply do not have the room to stock different makes and models of BMX bike, particularly when they also have to cater for the needs of conventional bike customers.
Secondly, bike shop managers and their staff will often admit to not knowing as much as they would like about BMX bikes. They will therefore feel unable to confidently deal in bikes serving different levels of skill and experience; or which offer advantages in different specialist BMX disciplines, ranging from the mid-air flight skills of vert BMX to the heavy-duty ground-based gymnastics of flatland BMX.
Tying in with this second point is an admission on the part of several bike retailers that they find it incredibly difficult keeping up with the fast-moving trends and technological developments in BMX; with many confessing to being simply frightened of stocking BMX bikes that may quickly become less popular than other models.
The upshot of this inability or reluctance to supply a full range of BMX bikes on the high street is that the would-be purchaser is offered very little expert advice at the point of purchase for a very limited range of BMX bikes.
At online specialist BMX shop, bmx.co.uk, however, we can confidently answer all your technical BMX questions, whilst stocking the widest choice of quality BMX bikes at great value prices.
How to choose the right BMX bike
August 21st, 2010Whether looking for a first BMX bike or a new model, most buyers are simply hoping for a decent bike at a value for money price. Yet the bewildering array of choice can sometimes confuse.
The first question to ask is: what will the bike primarily be used for? If the rider is certain that he or she is after, say, a racing BMX bike, or a freestyle ‘stunt’ bike, then a legitimate BMX shop will be able to quickly narrow down the available options. If, on the other hand, the rider is uncertain as to which discipline to try, it may well be worth settling for a dirt jump BMX bike, as dirt jump bikes are capable of performing both stunts and racing-type manoeuvres over a dirt trail.
The second question to consider is the rider’s size and height. Certain BMX bikes will have been designed for a taller rider, usually with a longer horizontal top tube on the BMX frame. Again, a good BMX shop will be able to help in this respect.
Finally, where there is a wide range of price options to choose from, cost should be balanced against the number of advanced specifications available on each bike. Such advanced features include strong but lightweight chromoly BMX parts; lightweight and durable components such as rear cassette hubs and three-piece cranks; and lighter, less obtrusive BMX parts such as micro-gear sprockets.
At bmx.co.uk we are happy to identify a quality BMX bike to match both a rider’s pocket and experience in BMX.
Crucial steps towards securing a reliable cheap BMX bike
August 1st, 2010For those looking to buy a cheap BMX bike, perhaps as a present for a complete beginner, there are two main steps to follow in order to ensure that what appears to be a reasonably-priced bargain does not turn out to be an exorbitant rip-off.
Firstly, unless the advice of an experienced BMX rider is immediately to hand, a BMX bike should always be bought from new. Buying second-hand risks being lumbered with a bike that might look impressive but could be about to succumb to the pressures of hard riding or the consequences of inappropriate parts replacement. It may well also be the wrong size for the rider, a factor often difficult to determine given the unusual nature of BMX riding positions.
Secondly, if the brand behind the bike is not immediately recognisable, it is prudent to ask the following questions: where is the bike company based?; what is its history in BMX and which other models does it make or has it made in the past?; was the company originally established by a professional rider?; and, are there professional riders currently affiliated to the company?
If any of the answers to these questions suggest that the brand has no real pedigree in the BMX field, it is probably not worth spending money on what is clearly a mischievous, and potentially dangerous, attempt to cash in on BMX’s popularity.
At specialist BMX shop bmx.co.uk we take the hard work out of searching for quality cheap BMX bikes for any rider, regardless of age, ability, height or build.
Never cut corners when buying a BMX bike for a child
July 22nd, 2010Younger riders new to BMX can sometimes give the impression that they intend using a freestyle BMX bike more as a road bike than as a means to perform stunts and tricks. Those buying the BMX bike for such a child may therefore feel it is not worthwhile investing in a serious model and may opt instead for a cheap BMX from a general department store.
This would be a mistake in several ways.
Firstly, the opportunity to try and learn simple tricks may present itself more frequently than expected. A child may, for example, decide to visit a local authority BMX park with friends. A cheap BMX from a department store may well look similar to better quality BMX bikes, but when the child tries to learn the tricks that his or her friends are learning, he or she may find the poor design of their bike completely frustrates their efforts.
Secondly, poor quality BMX bikes will not be able to take the same level of punishment as top branded models. This can lead to buckled wheels, broken cranks and damaged frames fairly early on in the bike’s operating life.
Finally, with department store bikes there may not be any suitable replacement parts. A damaged bike may well therefore have to be consigned to the scrap-heap barely after it is first taken outdoors.
At specialist online BMX shop bmx.co.uk we can show buyers some amazingly cheap BMX bikes, that are made by top quality brands and meet the highest standards.
