BMX Buyers Guide

Guide to Buying a BMX Bicycle - Advice & Help

© 2005 Bonthrone Bikes UK

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Need help buying the right kind of BMX bike?
There are now about five or so different styles of BMX bikes you can buy and several different styles of ridinging so have a look at some of the BMX bike websites below for some great explanations and overviews of the different styles. Try our General Bike Buyer Guide for a 1-2-3 step advice guide to finding the bike for you or the particular rider you have in mind.

BMX stands for bicycle motocross and it first appeared more that 30 years ago. It started as many great things (and bad things!) in the USA - on the east coast to be precise - California - but you probably had some sort of off-raod machine as a kid - I certainly did!:) We used to use a knackered old bike and jam twigs in the back wheels to make it sound like a scrambler. No surprise then when I actually first saw a real BMX from America - it blew my socks off!!! When we could finally afford to get me one (a falcon with plastic wheels - no match for my mates Hayry Leory Turbo Light Kit) - a bunch of us would pile off down to rustington where they had a dirt track with humps and jumps etc.

Types of BMX Riding
BMX trick riding and freestyle ground work - seen on X-Games /Gravity Games is now mainstream in BMX riding. Special BMX stunt components like large axle pegs and other accessories designed to make spinning handlebars, jumping on and off the bike at crazy angles easier are now available.

Vert BMX Riding
Vert the ame given to the type of riding you see where it looks like the guys are going up and down the insides of a massive pudding bowl. It canalso involve ramp trick riding and loads of freestyle maouvers.

Freestyle BMX Riding
Freestyle bmx is split into two types of riding - the forerunner was freestyle that involves ramps, jumps and tricks in the air. This utilizes specialized BMX freestyle bikes parts and accessories.

Flatland BMX Riding
Now we see flatland BMX emerging in a huge way which is basically trick bmx riding on the ground or on the street. Flatland riding is done on ramps, half-pipes and other natural ramps and protrusions.

Dirst BMX Riding
Dirt BMX jumping on BMX and mountain bikes involves massive airs (flashy moves in the air), mid air turns and twists and over humps of earth and mud. Sometime the ends of the dirt mounds are almost vertical! With all the styles above - they all interweave and entwine allowing riders to express themselves and their bicycle artform in a million different and unique ways.

Cruiser BMX Riding
These are BMX bikes with 24 inch wheels - not widespread yet but available and some are surprisingly cool bicycles!

Choosing the Right BMX Bike
The many forms of BMX bike riding can make choosing the right bike daunting. Don't fear! BMX's are just like other bicycles - the more you pay the lighter and stronger they are. What are you going to use the bike for - medium distance rides - in which case lightness is a big plus (remember BMX's dont have gears and you will find yourself peddaling like crazy if your riding on the road - hence the usefulness of a light BMX frame). Or mabe the bike will only get used once in a blue moon and therfore the extra expense of a lightweight BMX is money wasted.

Different Types of Frame Materials & Compnents

Standard Steel Framed BMX
High tensile steel is used on most cheap BMX bikes and cycles under £300. This is fine for young or new BMX riders and good for your pocket.

Chrome Molly BMX frames
For more experienced riders a light weight BMX will be faster and easier to manouver or perform tricks and jumps on. Chrome Moly (steel alloy made from cromium and molybednum) is the most popular and common BMX frame material because it's strong and light.

BMX Racing frames
Aluminum frames the most common type of frame found on BMX race bikes. Frame reinforcements are found on more expensive bikes in the form of welds between joints where stress is likely to be maximised. The compound though not as strong as steel BMX frames gives a faster, stiffer and very responsive ride - perfect for races.

BMX Bicycles - what's in a Brand - who is the Bicycle for?
Now becuse there is a large fashion element involved in BMX, you will find, more so than with MTB Mountain Bikes or road race bikes that you dont always get what you pay for. Sometimes you will pay extra for a particular brand or currently fashionable BMX product. Who is the bike for and how important is that brand? All questions you need to ask yourseld when deciding what is the best kind of BMX bike for the person you have in mind. Bonthrone Bikes currently stock Haro BMX bikes which are affordable as well as great bikes.

You may or may not know that many BMX cycles - especially the cheaper ones come from the same or similar factories. BMX parts are often sourced from the same supplier who makes a variety of quality parts and then the parts are branded with a particular make's name! So - brand is not as important as it may seem. Feel, lightness, strength and compatibility with your riding style are most important when buying a BMX.

BMX Bicycles - sizes
Will my child outgrow the BMX and how quickly?... one size fits all with BMX! Get on the bike and try it. Obviously there are slight variations in bottom bracket height, cross bar height and overal cycle geometry etc but this is more important when sizing up smaller kids and childern on a BMX. The variations are more to suit different riding styles that the size of the rider. Just buy a longer seat post - adjust the bars and seat backwards and forwards and you should be fine - from 6 - 60! More important than size (apart from smaller kids) is the type of riding you want to do.

When to get a good BMX Bicycles Deal or Bargain
Wait for end-of-line bike deals and bargains - hunt online for a BMX special offer or call up some shops. Some of the bigger chains and internet based bike shops and stores buy in bulk and therefore carry BMX bikes and cycles often at reduced prices!

Where to Buy a BMX Bike - cheapest is not always best in the long run Get some advice from your bike shop and try a few BMXs out. At that point you can start looking for the best or cheapest price on the particular bicycles you are after. See our BMX bike & cycles on this website.

Buy from a decent BMX Bike Dealer
Get to know your local bike shop staff and get some good BMX advice and help from them. They should be able to guide you in the right direction. They will also offer you back up and bicycle technical support should things on your bike need adjusting or replacing. DON'T buy a bike from a supermarket or a superstore as the mechanical, supplier and replacement parts backup will be poor or non-existent.

Commom BMX Parts & Terms

BMX Pegs are screwed on to the front and / or rear axles and used to skid allong pipes - stand on - jump on and off the bike and do an amazing variety of BMX tricks.

Bonthrone Bikes UK Best Price Beat
If you find another store has the bicycle product you want in stock in your size and colour, call us and we'll do our best to beat that price.

Need help with bike sizes?
Don't fret, although most manufacturers have their own sizing systems, we give you a simple jargon free - easy to use guide to sizing you up and getting you on the perfect sized bike. See our Bike Size Guide.

Reviews on bikes & Parts
See our customer reviews under each product - write your own review of a product or see our list of independant bicycle and bike part review sites. Bike Review Web Sites.

Buying a second hand bike
What to look for and what to pay for a second hand bike. Includes a guide to places to buy second-hand bikes. Second Hand Bikes Help & Advice Guide.

Buy a BMX bike or cycle cheap here