The Basics

BMX (short for bicycle motocross bikes) bikes are modeled after motocross rides used for short track racing. BMX bicycles look like smaller mountain bikes, albeit with no gears, and were originally designed in the late 1960s to be raced at local dirt tracks or along wooded racetracks. From these West Coast origins, the sport of BMX has mushroomed and there is now a broad array of BMX bikes available to accommodate all the different styles of riding. Racing on dirt tracks remains a large part of the BMX world, while aggressive trick riding, as featured in popular events such as the X-Games and Gravity Games, is now a mainstream fixture of the sport as well. As BMX riding has evolved, new components and frame designs have been introduced and modified to facilitate the tricks, jumps and daredevil stunts that make BMX such a popular pastime for both riders and spectators.

There are four main categories of BMX riding: BMX racing, freestyle, dirt jumping and overlap. BMX freestyle breaks down into two subcategories: flatland and vert riding. Flatland involves trick riding on streets and pavements while vert incorporates trick riding on ramps, half-pipes and other urban obstacles. BMX dirt jumping, on the other hand, is done off-road and features enormous airs, flips and twists launched from tall mounds of dirt that are often defined by their near-vertical launch lips. In addition to traditional BMX racing, there is also overlap, which combines freestyle and dirt jumping techniques. In overlap, dirt jumping tricks are performed on freestyle ramps, or vice versa. In addition to these four styles of riding, another newer category of BMX biking is also now beginning to emerge. BMX cruiser riding features BMX bikes with larger, 24 inch wheels aimed at the casual rider looking to take rides on bike paths around town, at the beach or along other scenic, paved routes. These bikes are not nearly as popular as other BMX bicycles but may become more so as older BMX riders try to recapture the feelings of their youth, without having to endure the uncomfortable ride. BMX cruiser class bikes are also a great way for parents to participate in BMX riding with their kids.

Of course, while standard BMX bicycles are most popular amongst kids and teenagers, adults can enjoy them, too. Except for those aimed at very young children, BMX bike frames tend to come in a single, one-size-fits-all to accommodate a 50 year-old riders just as easily as a 15 year-old. Still, with so many different types of BMX riding, it is important to choose what suits your style. If you are solely interested in BMX racing, for example, there is little point in buying a BMX bicycle with axle pegs or spinning handlebars. Similarly, a lightweight racing bike won't stand up long to the heavy duty landings sustained in dirt jumping.

Even with the different styles of BMX riding, once you're set on the type of BMX riding you're interested in, choosing the right bike doesn't have to be a confusing process. If you're buying the bike for a child, then spending time watching your kid ride should give you a sense of their skill level and the type of riding they do most. Is a lightweight frame useful for a six-block ride to school every day? No. Would the same frame offer real performance enhancements for a weekend racer? Yes. Also, keep in mind that just like road-racing bicycles and mountain bikes, BMX bicycles get more expensive as they get lighter--strength being, at least in marketing literature, a constant. A 26-pound boutique racing bike that's built to take the same abuse as a 35-pound department-store beater will cost a good deal more.

The steel alloy chrome-moly remains the most popular frame material for BMX bicycles, as it is both strong and light. High-tensile steel is a heavier tubing material, and it will generally show up on bikes under $200 or so. There's nothing wrong with the less-expensive metal, particularly for younger, less experienced riders. Those who take their riding more seriously, however, will want the lighter weight and more responsive feeling a chrome-moly frame offers. For racing BMX bikes, aluminum frames are most common, as they're lighter and stiffer.

How to Shop

First things first: Who will be riding the BMX bicycle? How important is a brand name? How long will Junior ride this BMX bike before he graduates to a mountain bike, or loses interest altogether and picks up a skateboard? There's much less differentiation of quality among brands than advertising and certain salespeople would have you believe. This is particularly true of less-expensive BMX bikes, many of which are made in the same factories overseas and then painted with different companies' logos. Even with more expensive BMX bicycles, the price can be inflated for a fashionable bike or one that's endorsed by a popular pro rider, even though it may not offer any better features or construction than a cheaper model. So, much of the purchasing decision will come down to you or your child's riding preference, his or her need to follow fashion, and of course, the amount you are willing to spend on a bike.

There are some key features to look out for, depending on the type of BMX riding you're interested in. BMX racing bikes need to be lightweight as well as rugged. They usually feature 36-spoke wheels and should come equipped with knobby tires for better traction on dirt. Racing BMX bicycles usually require only single, rear wheel brakes. Freestyle BMX bikes, on the other hand, are ridden on the street so you'll want smooth tires and 48-spoke wheels for increased strength. The handlebars should be able to spin 360 degrees and the frame should have 2 or 4 axle pegs for supporting the rider while he or she performs freestyle tricks. A freestyle BMX bicycle should have brakes on the front wheel as well as the rear, along with special stunt components such as cable detanglers so the cables don't break or become knotted when you spin the handlebars in mid-air. BMX dirt-jumping bikes also need 48-spoke wheels, but with knobby rather than smooth tires, again for maintaining a good grip on dirt-jumping mounds. These bikes usually feature heavier duty frames and axles as well, with reinforced gussets in order to withstand the heavy landings from huge air jumps. Like a racing BMX bicycle, a dirt jumping bike will only need a single, rear wheel brake.

When looking at the cost of any BMX bicycle, it is important to factor in the cost of necessary accessories. Any rider will need elbow and knee pads in addition to a safety helmet, especially those involved in freestyle riding and dirt jumping. It's worth reiterating to your kids that the tricks and stunts performed at the X-Games and Gravity Games are by undertaken by skilled pro riders with years of experience. Young kids and beginners should only ride within their skill and experience levels.

Unless you are shopping for a very young child, there are usually only minor variations in the size of a BMX bicycle frame, variations that reflect the riding style of a rider rather than his or her body size. As your child grows or his riding style changes, you might need to buy a longer seat post or adjust the handle bars to accommodate those changes. It is worth bearing in mind that buying a BMX bicycle from a department store rather than a specialist bike shop may not provide you with the follow-up replacement parts you may need in the future. Your local bicycle shop will likely not only offer the most helpful advice during the shopping process, but after you've made your purchase, they'll also be there with mechanical support as well. If you can, try to find a shop that doesn't relegate its BMX bicycles to a cobwebbed corner. A bigger selection will mean better choices, better deals, and salespeople who ride BMX bikes themselves.

As with other types of bikes, getting the best deal when purchasing a BMX bicycle is not just about knowing how to shop, but also when to shop. BMX bicycle prices can vary throughout the year, with the most popular time to buy a new BMX bike being the spring or summer. If you can wait until fall or winter when sales dip you are more likely to pick up a bargain deal from a shop that is eager to sell the older model BMX bicycles to make way for the next year's model.