Classic Bikes BMX
Buying advice for: Other: BMX
Frame material
BMX bikes can be made from a variety of frame materials, with the choice of material often influenced by factors such as weight, durability, stiffness and cost. Steel frames are robust and durable. They offer good damping and are usually cheaper than frames made from other materials. However, steel frames can be heavier than aluminium or carbon frames and can therefore increase the overall weight of the bike. Aluminium frames are lighter than steel frames and still offer good durability. They are stiff and respond well to pedalling movements, which contributes to an efficient ride. Aluminium frames are often found on BMX race bikes as they offer a good combination of weight and stiffness. Chromoly is an alloy of chromium and molybdenum. It is a lightweight yet robust alloy that is often used in high-quality BMX frames. Chromoly frames are stiffer than pure steel frames and offer better performance on jumps and tricks. However, they are usually more expensive than pure steel frames. Carbon fibre is a light and stiff material that offers high performance. Carbon fibre frames absorb vibrations well and offer a responsive ride. However, they are usually more expensive than steel or aluminium frames.
Suspension
Unlike bikes with fully suspended suspensions, which are common for use in mountain biking, most BMX bikes have no suspension on the front or rear wheel. This is because BMX bikes are primarily designed for use on flat surfaces, in skate parks, on ramps and in dirt parks, where full suspension is not required. BMX bikes have rigid forks without suspension. The choice of fork can affect the steering angle and therefore influence the handling of the bike. Forks can be made of different materials such as steel, aluminium or carbon and can have different shapes and characteristics to meet the rider's specific requirements.
Wheels
BMX wheels differ from those of conventional bicycles and are specially tailored to the requirements of BMX riding. The rims are usually built strong and robust to withstand the stresses that can occur when riding off-road, doing tricks and jumping. They are often made from aluminium or a durable aluminium alloy and have a smaller number of spokes compared to conventional bicycle rims. BMX spokes are often thicker and more robust than those of road or mountain bike wheels. This increases the strength and durability of the wheel and makes it more resistant to the high loads that can occur when riding a BMX bike. The standard size for BMX wheels is 20 inches, which contributes to manoeuvrable and agile riding behaviour. This size is ideal for tricks, stunts and the needs of BMX riding. However, there are also BMX bikes with other wheel sizes, such as mini BMX with 16 inch wheels or cruiser BMX with larger wheels for a faster ride.
Tyres
BMX tyres have been specially developed for use on various surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, wood and earth. Wider tyres offer more stability and traction, while narrower tyres can enable faster acceleration and agility. The tread pattern of the tyres varies depending on the intended use, with some treads designed for ramps and park riding, while others have been developed for roads or trails.
Brakes
U-brakes are a common type of BMX brake and are mounted on the seat stays. They offer good braking performance and are relatively easy to adjust. U-brakes are particularly popular with freestyle riders and are often used on street and park BMX bikes. V-brakes are similar to U-brakes, but are mounted on the chainstays. They also offer good braking performance and are easy to adjust. V-brakes are often found on BMX racing bikes and are well suited for fast and precise braking manoeuvres.