September 2nd, 2010
BMX bikes are growing more popular, but with so many choices available, choosing the bmx bike that’s right for you might be a bit of challenge. Here are some guidelines to help you choose. A lot depends on what you intend to use your bike for. Racing, jumping, and freestyle are three different uses of this kind of bike. You may also want to use your bike for everyday use, like riding it on the road to a shop, or going on dirt trails while you are camping.
If you want to use your bike for tricks, or ride it on paved roads and in parks, your best bet is the freestyle BMX. If you want a classic bike for racing, or for everyday use, the classic BMX, or true bmx, is your choice. And if you want something in between, for jumps and ramping, you should choose the jump BMX.
You should also decide what material you want your bike to be made of. Classic bmx bikes are made of aluminium, which is lightweight, but more expensive. The Freestyle bikes and the jump bikes are usually made of steel frames, or mixed metal, and are heavier than the classic bikes, but also more sturdy and cost effective. Something else to consider is the type of rims on your bike. Classic bikes usually have lightweight, aluminium rims which makes them faster. Freestyle bikes have mag rims, and jump bikes have 48-spoke rims or other strong, sturdy rims to support the impact of jumps and tricks.
Tags: BMX, BMX Bikes, bmx biking, bmx safety advice
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August 28th, 2010
Those buying a first BMX bike, either for themselves or someone else, may not be aware of just how many different types of BMX bike there are, even though they may all look similar. One of the most popular types of BMX bike for a beginner is a dirt BMX bike, alternatively known as a jump BMX bike. These bikes are built for navigating specially constructed, very rugged dirt trails, and usually have double-thickness wheel rims and multi-spoke wheels for extra strength. They also rely on tyres with a high degree of tread for extra grip.
BMX bikes falling under the category of freestyle are built to handle various types of trick riding on concrete or tarmac surfaces. Although built for strength like dirt bikes, freestyle BMX bikes will usually have smooth tyres. Freestyle BMX disciplines range from flatland (performing balancing acts on solid ground) through to vert BMX (leaping high into the air off a large ramp).
Freestyle bikes are also characterised by high-rise handlebars that can turn around completely without entangling the brake cable; and also removable pegs on the sides of the wheels. These latter features are there to help the experienced rider perform various tricks. Finally, racing BMX bikes are designed for high speed race competitions. Racing BMX bikes tend to be lighter than dirt or freestyle BMX bikes.
At bmx.co.uk we can advise in more detail the differences between the various BMX bikes, as well as surprise you with just how affordable our prices are.
Tags: bmx advice, BMX Bike, BMX Parts, racing bmx
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August 27th, 2010
All BMX bikes, whether dirt, freestyle, or racing BMX models, have a single speed gear. This has its advantages in helping make BMX bikes much lighter than their multi-gear counterparts, and also in providing a greater clearance around the wheel and chain drive area when performing freestyle tricks.
Single speed gears also have the advantage, rather like an automatic car, of providing the rider with the ability to control each movement of the bike precisely through the use of the pedals, without such actions being interrupted by the need to effect gear changes. Finally, maintenance and repair is much simpler when there is only one set of sprockets to remove.
One important advantage that BMX bikes have over many other bikes with a single gear however is that coasting is still perfectly possible (in other words allowing the inertia of the bike or the gradient of a hill to take the rider forward). With many other single gear bikes the lack of a freewheel means that the rider has to constantly pedal in order to move the bike forward.
Most BMX bikes will usually contain a gear ratio that enables both sufficient power when starting up and climbing gradients but also reasonable acceleration ability. In some cases, during racing BMX contests for example, it may be necessary to change gear cogs on the spot to effect better handling of the course. At bmx.co.uk we can explain BMX gearing in more detail, as well as supplying a range of great value sprockets and other BMX parts for the chain drive.
Tags: BMX, bmx design, bmx equipment, BMX Parts, racing bmx
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August 22nd, 2010
Many of the BMX bikes one sees at parks, in the street, or at the race track are to some degree or other customised. BMX customisation can refer to anything from the design of a complete bike from scratch through to small personal alterations or modifications to a pre-bought complete BMX bike.
The complete top-to-toe custom BMX builds are often the work of the professional rider or experienced amateur. But these fully customised bikes are not mere vanity projects. The BMX market is replete with sophisticated, high performance BMX parts and specialist frames. For the knowledgeable rider this choice presents an unmissable opportunity to try and combine the optimum combination of components in order to maximise his or her riding abilities.
For the less experienced rider, customisation on a smaller level can still have its benefits. Simply arranging for an easier-to-grip saddle to be fitted, such as the slim Primo SL Pivotal seat designed by pro rider Nathan Williams for example, might benefit those riders looking to better secure their bike during mid-air turns.
Alternatively, changing one’s pedals to a lighter but more reliable design such as the Shadow Conspiracy Nostra Plastic range can benefit one’s attempts at performing certain riding manoeuvres.
Many riders will of course seize the opportunity when choosing such products to make sure that the colour or any graphics chosen will also benefit their BMX bike aesthetically.
At bmx.co.uk we can advise on the most appropriate BMX parts for any bike and will supply all at great value prices.
Tags: BMX, BMX Bikes, BMX Parts, bmx shop, replacement bmx parts
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August 17th, 2010
One of the benefits of taking up BMX riding is that, with practice and effort, not only will a person develop some impressive riding skills, but he or she will be able to substantially increase personal fitness levels. BMX, be it racing BMX, dirt BMX, or one of the freestyle variations such as street BMX, is an excellent means of improving cardiovascular fitness, physical strength and general motor and co-ordination skills.
Fitness levels will firstly rise due to the fact that it is often necessary in BMX riding to stand whilst pedalling and thus generate the greatest riding power. Such stamina-building qualities are also found in the requirement for the BMX rider to accelerate hard at critical moments during the performance of stunts or whilst racing. This beneficial effort in riding a BMX bike is further compounded by the fact that all BMX bikes have single speed gears which can make an encounter with, say, a gradient, considerably demanding.
BMX riding also helps boost upper body strength and powerful arm muscles through the need to lift the bike off the ground during the performance of tricks or whilst negotiating a bumpy track; this despite the fact that most BMX bikes are aerodynamically designed to assist the rider with such lifts.
Finally, of course, BMX riding helps generate, through careful and patient practice, some superlative balance and co-ordination skills.
At bmx.co.uk we not only supply the best value BMX bikes, we can advise new riders on the best ways to develop their fitness levels and their BMX riding skills.
Tags: BMX, BMX Bikes, bmx biking, racing bmx
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