1. Setting Up the BMX Rules
Nowhere is evolution so intrinsic as in BMX, or Bicycle Motocross. In the 1970s, groups of neighborhood bike riders in California decided their 20-inch Stingray bicycles could fly, flip and stand on end. While their peers had been showing off on their Stingrays all over the country, this band of bikers decided to start setting up some rules for competing. BMX riders use bikes that range from 12-inch to 24-inch wheels. The category in which they participate depends on experience, number and difficulty of tricks and the size of the bikes.
2. Decide Where to Ride
The kind of riding you will be mostly doing should determine the features you'll want to get on your bike. You have to decide if you will be going to be racing or mainly riding around your neighborhood or in the dirt. Maybe you want to ride on a track or on homemade ramps in your yard. Once you know these details, then you can start checking out bikes. You will find three basic kinds of BMX bikes: the basic BMX, the dirt jumper and the freestyle bike.
3. Back to Basics
The original BMX bikes were knockoffs of motocross motorcycles. They have big knobby tires, a lightweight frame and a really sturdy rear brake. BMX basic bikes are ready to take on dirt jumping and quick riding off road. The wheels on a basic BMX are usually 20 inches. They have raised, high handlebars with crossbars and small saddles. BMX basics are great for racing. They are lightweight and easy to maneuver on dirt tracks. The lighter weight the bike is, the more expensive it's going to be.
4. Tricks on Wheels
Freestyle BMX bikes have been around nearly as long as the basics. They are geared more for the rider who enjoys doing tricks and who might enter an extreme BMX competition. They are very handy for aggressive street riding as well as going vertical at a skatepark. More emphasis is placed on sturdy construction than the weight so they make great bikes for everyday riding too. Freestyle bikes have both front and rear brakes and the cables run through the handlebars so they can be spun around during tricks.
5. Buy a Dirt Jumper
Dirt jumpers are made to do just that, jump over things. The jumper BMX bikes are a cross between a basic and a freestyle BMX. They combine the lightweight materials with a sturdy construction. These bikes are good for larger riders because they usually come with 24-inch wheels.
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