BMX bike sales are growing faster than virtually every other bicycle form. On every street, sidewalk, and even off-road in their natural habitat, BMX bikes can be seen. You’ve certainly seen such bikes on TV, even if you never leave your house. Of example, you probably know what a BMX bicycle is, but what you really don’t realize is exactly what makes a BMX bike special from other bicycles. We’re going to tell you how special they are.
We’re going to start with their origin. It’s really easy. For many decades after they were invented, bikes remained pretty much the same, but the popularity of off-road motorcycle racing, or motocross, changed that during the 60s. Children saw the pros on their dirt bikes racing around and taking them off the dirt ramps. They wanted to be like their heroes, so they were imitated by kids on their bikes, which were not made for such roughhousing at the time. It didn’t take long for bike manufacturers to catch on and start making bikes specifically designed for the rigors of off-road racing and jumping. Soon, bicycle motocross (BMX) was sanctioned across the country. The market segment of the BMX has developed and expanded and is still growing today. So, of course, most of the kids (so adults) you see on these bicycles don’t ride, and they certainly don’t leap off anything more reckless than a curb. Nevertheless, BMX bikes are made to beat.
Now, to talk about the BMX bike’s physical attributes that make it different from other bikes. The technical features can be limited to the chassis, wheels / tires, brakes, and gears.
The frame on BMX bikes is designed to be very light so that it can be maneuvered easily and very strong so that it can withstand the jumping and racing stresses. Also important is the lightweight of a BMX frame because a lighter bike in a close-fought BMX race can save you valuable seconds. The two materials most favored by Boxers are aluminum and chrome-moly steel. Usually, regular bikes are made of cheap steel grades that are prone to rusting or even breaking when placed under a lot of stress.
Spokes and tires are other distinguishing features of BMX bikes. Most BMX bikes have 20 “rims, of course, they can also be bought in other sizes. There is only learning to ride the 12” size for young children. These days, before they learn to read, children are learning to ride bikes! The next size up is the 16 “wheel, mostly used by children between the ages of 8 and 12. Upon entering the teen years, most kids are riding the 20” bikes. This is also the scale that many adults and pros prefer. BMX bikes are available with even larger wheels or medium sizes, but they are not as common.
BMX motorcycle tires vary from traditional road bikes. They are knobby on dirt trails and tracks to give them excellent traction. In fact, they are very similar, only smaller, to mountain bike tires.
Talking of mountain bikes, there are as many as 21 gears on such trips! Typically there aren’t so many road bikes and beach cruisers, but they range from 3 to 18 speeds. On the other side, BMX bicycles have only one speed. They’ve got one front sprocket and one back axle sprocket. That’s it; they only use one gear because they’re made for all-out sprints and accurate control of freestyle tricks.
Their brakes are another feature that distinguishes BMX bikes from conventional bikes. BMX bikes frequently only have a rear brake. Having a front brake increases the probability of using just the front brake accidentally and causing an accident. Furthermore, racers do not need extra braking power because they do not want to slow down! However, a BMX bike made for tricks is going to have a front brake.
Typically, BMX bikes often come with padding to shield the rider during injuries and wrecks, which can occur a lot in events. Though many racers aren’t messing with patches, they’re too good for that. They are usually on the top bar, handlebar clamp, and handlebar crossbar if the bike does have pads.
BMX bikes are a booming business and have grown in popularity across nearly every market segment. On TV competitions and commercials, you can often see BMX riders. BMX motorcycles are used by all kinds of people, from accomplished drivers to just having fun with five-year-olds, adults who never aged out of them, and everybody in between.
BMX motorcycles are suitable for all types of riders and all genders in a variety of sizes. We also have a number of specialized applications to fit a variety of uses. There’s also a wide range of prices, of course. If you’re thinking about buying a bike for yourself or someone else, the people in your local bike shop will be your best source of information. Online, too, there are tons of reliable information. The two main issues that you need to consider are how to use the bike and how much you’re willing to spend. It’s up to you from there.