BMX Bikes by Brand Kids BMX Bikes Best Buy BMX Bikes BMX Cruiser Bikes
Tyres Rims Hubs Complete Wheels Spokes Inner Tubes Rim Tape Hub Guards
Forks Steering Parts Drivetrain Parts Seating Parts Braking Parts Pegs
Tools Inner Tubes Puncture Repair Pumps Bags Wax
Helmets Triple Padsets Elbow Pads Wrist Guards Knee Pads Shin Pads Gloves Goggles
Buying Advice

 

BMX Buying Advice

 

Which type of BMX is right for me?

 

Before you can know which BMX you need to buy, you first need to know what style of riding you are likely to do as the bike must be capable of that in order for you to get the best out of your BMX. There are 3 main types (Vert/Racing/Freestyle), each of which requires a different style or configuration of BMX.

 

Vert

Vert is the name given to the type of riding you see BMX’s going up and down the inside of half a massive pipe. It can also involve ramp trick riding and a combination of street and freestyle tricks/manoeuvres. To see the relevant BMX’s we have to offer Click HERE for our Vert Range.

 

 

 

 

Racing

BMX Racing is a demanding form of riding due to the speed at which the bike must perform whilst riding over bumps and jumps as well as handling hard corners at high speed. A lighter frame is preferable for this riding as acceleration and speed are essential along with good stress as hard landings are common place. Click HERE for our racing range.

 

 

 

Freestyle

This style of BMX riding is split into 2 types (Forerunner/Flatland). Forerunner BMXing involves performing tricks and stunts on ramps, rails and various other apparatus. This type of riding requires utilizes BMX Freestyle bike parts and accessories for maximum versatility.


Flatland BMXing is fairly similar to the Forerunner style however the majority of tricks are performed on the flat ground where riders will manipulate the bike and themselves into various impressive shapes and forms. Balance is highly essential for this form of BMXing and a customized BMX may be preferred. Click HERE for our Freestyle/Flatland range.

 

 

 

BMX Sizing

 

The size of BMX’s are generally the same, the tyre will nearly always be 20 inches in diameter, the frame (Usually 13 inch centre pole length) in size and saddle height will also be fairly consistent.
If you are looking for smaller style BMX’s more suitable for children we have a selection you can choose from by clicking this link HERE.


BMX Parts and Extras

 

 

Handle Bars
There are many variations of handle bar shapes, widths, heights and materials used for strength. The shape and or material can give you an idea of its strength, although for all BMX handle bars we will give a description of how strong they are and why.

 

Stem
The Stem plays an important part in the bikes performances as it is the main joining part for the forks of the front wheel with the frame to the handle bars. If you want good durability and performance it is worth getting a good quality Stem.

 

Fork
The Fork system is always improving in strength due to new materials always being produced. Generally the more you pay the better quality it will be, however depending on the BMX’s purpose you may which to consider other features made available for a more specialized bike.

 

Tyre Rim
The Tyre Rim is the main structure of the wheel. Of course what many people’s concern is that depending on the quality it may be more likely to buckle. It is important to remember that not everything is indestructible and it is recommended to avoid heavy landings on a small surface area. Try to spread the weight of the bike where you can.

 

Tyre
Depending on the grip, type of rubber used and the inner tube (fitting between the tyre rim and tyre) it is worth considering looking at the specifics of what you are after, but generally you will gain the performance your after.

 

Frame
The Frame is perhaps the most important part of the bike and should play the biggest part in determining which BMX to go for. It is also important to consider many aspects of the Frame when buying as a separate part. We recommend you to choose carefully to ensure you really do get the best for what you want.

Chainring
The Chainring is a metal cog that fits in the lower mid part of the frame. It is used to hold and drive the chain around which in turn is attached to the rear wheel sprocket to power movement in the back wheel. There are various designs and materials used to increase strength and its suitability for different riding styles. When selecting a chainring the main points to consider are, the number of teeth and how they relate to the number of teeth in the rear sprocket (this affects the force need to accelerate), structure and the material used.

 

Chain
When choosing a BMX the chain needs little consideration compared to most other parts, however when selecting as a separate part you may wish to consider which brand you choose based on reputation and reliability. Depending on which Chainring and Sprocket combination you have you will need to adjust the length of the chain to suit.

 

Cranks
The Cranks connect the pedals to the Chainring and take much of the strain when pedalling and landing. If you are planning for heavy riding we recommend that you select strong Cranks that will be less likely to bend of break. It is important to remember that they are not indestructible and depending on which ones you choose it will affect their durability when used for heavier style riding.

 

Pedals
There is a large range of Pedals available in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours and materials. When deciding on which Pedals to go for we recommend you consider weight, size and grip. The Pedals attach to the Cranks and so there compatibility with each other should be considered before choosing.

 

Seat Post
These can range in length from long to small due to demand for lighter Seat Posts. Generally the seat on a BMX is naturally lower as during most styles of riding freedom of movement is needed. Some Stump Posts are only compatible with pivotal seats, so it is worth making sure you select either the right seat for the post or the right post for the seat.

 

Clamp
This is used to simply clamp your Stump Post to your Frame. Usually most Clamps will provide what you need however you may want to select one of lighter material to increase further light-weight ness in your bike.

 

Seat
There is a selection of either Slim, Jump or Street Seats to choose from. Some will be suitable for Pivotal system based Stump Posts and some for regular. It is important to make sure the correct one is selected for what use it will be intended.

 

Sprockets
Held in the rear wheel to be used in propelling the wheel via the chain. These tend to be nearly the same specification for most BMX’s.

 

Brakes
The most common Brake system used for BMX’s is the U-Brake System. This will without trouble provide the braking power you need. Some riders however can choose not to use brakes if they require full freedom for tricks, but this is not recommended for newcomers to the sport.

 

Brake Cables
When considering the braking system you may want to think about what freedom of movement you require. If you are considering the use of bar spins (repeated spinning of the handle bars) without the brake cables getting tangled then we recommend either the use of the Gyro (description below) with Gyro Cables or just the use of Linear Cables on their own.

 

Gyro
The idea of a Gyro is to help prevent the tightening of the brake cables, although if planning to do over two handle bar spins it is recommended to consider the Linear Cable System.

 

Stunt Pegs
Not an essential item but often preferred when using for tricks like grinds (sliding along rails, ramps, ledges or curbs) and stalls (locking on in various positions, usually on coping or top of ramp). There are different types and brands to choose from based on preference.

 

Gloves
Worth having if you want to avoid blistering from handle bars and avoid sweat affecting your grip. Different kinds are available to suit all.

 


Brands

 

Kink
Utilizing some of the same ideas as Odyssey however produced with the versatility for Freestyle riding.

Subrosa
One of the top Freestyle BMX brands that you can find. Recommended for those who want the best in quality Freestyle BMX’s.

 

Hoffman
If you recognise the name you can probably guess what to expect from the brand. With a decent range for the beginner to the more experienced you will happily be flowing around the park or vert. For Freestyle, Street or Vert.

 

Redline
A brand with the versatility for both Freestyle Park and Flatland style riding. They have a good selection of bike set-ups to give you the choice you really want.

 

SE Racing
Also known as Scot Enterprise Racing has been around for over 30 years. The company was co founded by one of the top BMX Racing riders and helped to develop more interesting designs such as the “Floval Flyer” (An impressive form of BMX made from an exotic form of Aluminium construction). SE Racing has the experience in BMX Racing you cannot find anywhere else.

 

Haro
This brand produces some of the best Dirt Jumping and Park/Street Freestyle BMX’s around. Bob Haro is of course the best known rider of the brand. If you want to ride Freestyle, Street or Dirt the Haro brand is a great place to start.

 

Diamondback
These guys produce BMX’s for the whole range of different styles. Jumping, Park/Street Freestyle and Racing are all covered by this brand. Diamonback are a simple choice for the inexperienced rider who wants the opportunity to advance and improve with the rest.