June 30th, 2010
What may appear to those unfamiliar with BMX as awkward (in terms of seating and riding position), can, to BMX riders, be the key to achieving perfect harmony with their bikes.
One aspect often commented on, regarding BMX bikes, is how small and squat many of them are. This means there is greater integral strength and robustness when performing extreme manoeuvres. A smaller, lighter structure also helps the rider manipulate the bike more easily when performing such tricks.
A second aspect, often noted, is the low position in which many riders keep their saddle. Keeping the saddle low, however, not only frees up space between the rider and the bike, thereby making movement during more complex ‘body-turning’ tricks that much easier; it also means the saddle can act as a gripping point for the knees when, in standing position, the bike is turned or spun in unison with the rider.
Many people are surprised at how wide the distance between the rider and the handlebars can be. This distance is occasionally exaggerated through the use of frames, in which the seat post is steeper, and the pedals pushed further back, leading to the bike’s front part becoming even longer in comparison with its rear. This greater distance again provides the rider with more space for performing tricks. A longer top tube on a frame can also provide a more comfortable ride, particularly for taller riders.
Our experts at bmx.co.uk, will be happy to explain in more detail the unusual – but highly effective – design logic behind BMX bikes.
Tags: BMX Bikes, bmx design, BMX Parts, BMX parts supplier
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June 22nd, 2010
Whilst the distinctions between different BMX disciplines are highly important, those new to the sport thankfully find they are able to make some small headway into each discipline, without feeling in any way compelled to tie themselves to any one discipline or another.
BMX disciplines are generally agreed to be divided between racing BMX, in which riders compete at speed over an official BMX race track, and the various freestyle disciplines, including: flatland BMX, where the rider performs sophisticated balancing tricks with the bike on a flat surface; street, or park, BMX, involving riding the bike along narrow ledges and other solid, man-made obstacles; and vert BMX, in which the rider performs mid-air spins and other tricks after leaping into the air off of a large semi-circular pipe.
Whilst each of these disciplines requires much practice and experience, and will eventually necessitate the purchase of a specialist BMX bike, a beginner will find that he or she can make some basic inroads into each, often with the help of a general all-round bike such as the Haro X3.
Practising dirt jumping, for example, in which the rider leaps over and off large dirt mounds, not only begins to accustom the rider to the speeds of racing BMX, but also begins to hint at the exhilaration of vert BMX. Likewise, practising wheelies will start to bring home the tireless discipline needed for flatland BMX.
At bmx.co.uk, we can recommend the best all-round BMXbikes, and, with every purchase, will also supply a free instructional DVD on how to perform basic BMX tricks.
Tags: BMX Bikes, BMX parts supplier, bmx racing, racing bmx
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June 14th, 2010
The frame is the main feature of a BMX bike that a professional or expert will focus on when assessing its quality.
The first aspect of a BMX frame to come under scrutiny will be its weight. A frame, for example, made wholly or partly from a material such as chromoly will be considerably lighter than one made from high-tensile steel. This is because chromoly does not need to be added to the same density as high-tensile steel, in order to match the latter’s strength.
Other determinants of a lighter weight frame can include smaller dropouts (the parts of the frame that connect to the wheel axles) or, perhaps, machine-moulded components, which take up less bulk and weight than two separate components welded together.
This is not to say that weight is the be all and end all of a BMX frame. In many cases, a freestyle rider may well feel that the sturdiness of the frame is more important.
Strength and robustness are indeed the next aspects of a BMX frame to be given the expert ‘once-over’. Heat treatment will add to the frame’s strength, as will doubling the thickness at both ends of one or more of a frame’s tubes, where it connects to other tubes (known as ‘double-butting’).
The Federal Notorious 21 inch Trans Gold BMX frame is an example where some of these manufacturing techniques have come together to produce an extremely lightweight, but strong, frame.
At bmx.co.uk, we stock a range of great value BMX frames and bikes that will appeal to expert and amateur alike.
Tags: BMX Bikes, bmx frames, BMX Parts, BMX parts supplier
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June 11th, 2010
Anybody who regularly rides BMX bikes will know that they are capable of giving so much more to a rider than conventional bikes. Many would even argue that to categorise BMX models along with other bikes, fails to take into account the unique nature of BMX. For this reason, many experienced BMX riders will only buy BMX bikes and parts from a specialist BMX shop.
Buying BMX-associated products from a general bike store, for example, would simply not even be considered.
For a start, it will be extremely difficult for a general bike store to stock a full range of BMX products. As a consequence, the bike or BMX parts one is interested in purchasing, may well not be found among the brands covered under the shop’s stock buying policy. This is particularly true if a buyer has a requirement for a model designed to cater for a specific BMX discipline, such as racing or flatland.
In many cases, some BMX companies might not even consider a shop to be a worthy custodian of its bikes; the world-renowned Hoffman company being a prime example, who carefully vet each distribution request from retailers, to ensure they are sufficiently dedicated to BMX.
In addition, staff at a general bike shop will not necessarily have sufficient BMX knowledge to advise on the relative merits of the bewildering array of BMX parts and frames being continually added to the market.
At specialist online BMX shop, at bmx.co.uk we dedicate ourselves to BMX – and can offer top brands at the best prices.
Tags: BMX Bikes, BMX Parts, BMX parts supplier, brand bmx bikes
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June 2nd, 2010
Attempting to buy a BMX bike, without first taking expert advice, is fraught with danger, both to a person and to their wallet. BMX bikes not only vary in size and shape, they are also designed with specific uses is mind.
Some BMX bikes are lighter in frame and less sturdy than others, because they are built for speed racing around a track, rather than for performing stunts and tricks. Confusing a stunt – or ‘freestyle’ – BMX bike with a racing bike can be frustrating at best or, at worst, disastrous.
Even within the freestyle category of BMX, some bikes have been further refined for performing specific types of trick. Flatland bikes, for example, are built to give maximum support for balancing on a flat surface, and are far too heavy and far too smooth of tyre for other forms of BMX riding, such as dirt jumping (leaping over large dirt mounds).
Other pitfalls for the novice buyer include: failing to realise that stunt pegs should be removed for certain types of freestyle riding, such as dirt jumping; being unaware that a BMX frame should be of a size suitable for a rider’s height and weight; and mistaking bikes that resemble BMX bikes for the genuine article (these lookalikes can range from poor quality general shop brands, to expensive modified mountain bikes, suitable only for certain mountain bike trials).
At bmx.co.uk, we can guide a new purchaser successfully through the minefield of BMX bike formats, and find the most suitable bike for any rider.
Tags: BMX Bike, bmx equipment, BMX parts supplier, bmx safety advice
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