How To Choose The Right BMX Bike

When it comes to shopping for a BMX bike, it is important to make sure that some very important questions are being answered. Whether this bike is intended for yourself or for someone else, without the right knowledge of what will be expected to be done with the bike, you have a slim chance of picking the right one.

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.