Is the bike going to be raced? Where will you be riding most of the time? Is a lightweight frame and parts extremely important to you? Will you be riding in the streets or in the dirt? By answering just these few simple questions, you will finally have yourself prepared for the purchase of your BMX bike.

Because of the fact that so many people use the term BMX in a generic fashion, not many people are aware of the fact that there are indeed three different kinds of BMX bikes. There is the true BMX bike, the freestyle BMX bike, and the BMX dirt jumper bike. Make sure that you learn about each one and then you will truly be able to see which one of the BMX bikes is right for you.

The true BMX came about back in the sixties. They were designed solely for racing over jumps in the dirt. After a short period of time, just about every kid and teenager had one, whether they were into the racing scene or not. They are made from aluminum or steel and depending on the weight you want would depend on the type of frame you go with. The steel is of course heavier while the aluminum is much lighter. Not only is the aluminum lighter, but also it is also rust proof. Since riders generally scratch up their bikes a good bit, this is a nice perk.

The freestyle BMX bike came onto the scene shortly after the true BMX bikes came out. The freestyle bike is not meant for racing. Instead, the purpose for this bike is to do flatland tricks, intense street riding, and of course going vertical at the favorite skate park. When not doing tricks, the freestyle bike is one that works great for simply transportation purposes such as riding to the store or to school.

The treads on the tires of the freestyle bikes are smoother then the original BMX because these are generally not seen in the dirt therefore the extra tread is not needed. There are rear and front brakes on the freestyle and the front cable is taken through a rotor, otherwise called a detangler. This is so that the handlebars can be spun all the way around when doing tricks without the fear of tangling the brake lines.

Last but not least is the dirt jumper BMX bike. Some will simply call these the jumpers and they are meant to be able to grab a lot of air when riding the dirt paths. It is the most heavily treaded of the three different types of BMX bikes. The dirt jumper is a nice medium between the true BMX and the freestyle bike. With 36 13-gauge spokes, the bike usually only has rear braking power. They can also come equipped with 24-inch wheels, which is perfect for the riders who are a little larger.

Now that you have learned that there are in fact three different types of BMX bikes, it is time to start shopping. Before you know it, you will be on the bike and ready to ride.

The BMX bike was designed to give ultimate value in both durability and increased performance. There are three kinds of BMX bikes available depending on the planned use for the bike. One type of bike is to be used for racing on muddy tracks. The other type of bike is for Freestyle, which are used for jumping and stunts and is designed to be strong and heavier. Then of course there is just the true BMX bike available for everyday sturdy use. The frames of these bikes are normally made of aluminum or aluminum alloys. These metals are rust proof so these bikes stay looking nice longer.

BMX is not only popular in the U.S. but also in the UK. If you are parent who is looking to buy a bike for your child, ask yourself if your child, son or daughter will be rough on a bike and do you think they would have an interest in possibly getting involved in the world of BMX racing. If you think the answer may be yes, then it would be cost effective and practical to purchase the BMX bike rather than starting with something of lesser quality. You know the old saying, “you get what you paid for” and as a parent you never want to take a chance on your child’s safety because you tried to save a few bucks on the first race bike purchase.

There are collections of groups online covering everything BMX from organized races, chat rooms, blogs and message boards. There is a community of folks participating in this sport, which grows daily as the love of the sport grows. BMX was launched at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, which offers more proof of the growing popularity of the sport. Freestyle BMX will be introduced to the London 2012 Olympics as well.

Please keep in mind that with any cycling there should be appropriate protective gear worn. Riders of a BMX bike should wear a bike helmet, elbow and kneepads and a good pair of riding gloves. Please remember that the way the bike will be used should determine the type purchased.

If the bike is to be ridden on the street, a True BMX or Jumper BMX bike will fit that bill. If you it will be used in the dirt or sand or for extreme competition then the dirt bike should be utilized. Bike of any style need to be properly sized to avoid injury so make sure you have a qualified person help you select the proper frame size.