Bmx

BMX is a form of cycling roughly split into two different disciplines; BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle. Generally using a 20 inch wheel, much smaller than the 26 inch wheels found on mountain bikes and the 700C or 27 inch wheels found on conventional road bikes, the sport of BMX offers new and exciting challenges.

The art of BMX ranges from BMX Racing, taking place on specifically designed tracks, to BMX Freestyle, performing tricks on flat ground, specialist ramps or obstacles found on the streets. Therefore, given the variety found within BMX, it is imperative that you choose the right bike and setup for your purposes.

BMX Racing

BMX Racing involves all out competition on courses designed to emulate motocross tracks that are generally smoother to accommodate BMX bikes without suspension. Racing is fast and furious, with heats tending to last 30 50 seconds, with riders hitting speeds of 15 to 35mph depending on the track conditions, skill level and the age bracket of the class.

Racing frames are usually constructed using aluminium. Although not as strong as steel and chromoly BMX frames, aluminium offers racers a lighter, faster, stiffer and more responsive ride, perfect for race day!

BMX Cruisers offer riders a scaled up version of their favourite race bikes. Designed for more leisurely riding, cruisers tend to offer more relaxed and accommodating geometry and more forgiving 24 inch wheels.

BMX Freestyle

Freestyle BMX started as a creative way of using bicycles originally designed for bicycle motocross (BMX) racing. Over the years, the popularity of BMX Freestyle has overtaken and outstripped it racing origins and today the BMX fraternity offers a wide range of Freestyle specific designs, catering for the demands of the aggressive riders.

Dirt BMX jumping involves massive airs over dirt doubles and other mud obstacles. The air time caught by dirt riders allows them to manoeuvre their bikes in a variety of mid air twists and turns, expressing their bicycle skills and riding style in a huge variety of ways.

Flatland BMX riding is arguably the most demanding and skilful discipline in BMX. Calling for unparalleled levels of balance and a huge amount of practice and dedication, flatland involves riders performing a serious of complex tricks and manoeuvres on flat ground. The mesmerising art of flatland riding calls upon a rider's array of tricks, possibly including the aptly named pinky squeaks, backpackers and perverted boomerangs!

In general, BMX bikes designed solely for flatland are based around basic freestyle machines with altered geometry and shorter top tubes, combined with lower gearing, to meet the specific demands of the flatland rider.

Street and Park BMX riding is heavily trick orientated discipline, requiring a bike and components that are strong and durable, while maintaining a sensible weight level. When street riding, riders will use everyday street objects and architecture, such as handrails, banks, steps and ledges to perform tricks. Park or skatepark riding aims to emulate the best bits of the street, such as rails and banks, while adding smooth vert transitions in the form of quarter and half pipes.

Freestyle BMX frames generally use two different materials; high tensile steel and chromoly.

High tensile steel is used on most entry level BMXs. While steel is fine for younger BMX riders and newcomers to the sport, more experienced riders are looking for a better alternative. Consequently, higher end BMXs use lighter weight but equally strong chromoly. Chromoly, a steel alloy made from chromium and molybdenum, is the most common and popular frame material for freestyle BMXs as it is strong and light, making bikes faster and more manoeuvrable.