A BMX bike can easily set you back thousands of dollars. But some manufacturers offer cheap BMX bikes that cut costs by eliminating important features or components that may affect handling, durability and speed, all which are critical in the BMX arena. If you're on a tight budget, focus on high-quality BMX bikes that have earned top praise from bicycling critics while still being cheaper than their competitors.
Swobo Crosby
Swobo's Crosby bicycle has a durable aluminum frame. That keeps the weight down so you'll experience high speeds and better handling, whether you're jumping BMX barriers or simply carrying the bike up a flight of stairs, says "Bicycling" magazine. The magazine gave Swobo's product a 2010 editors' choice award. With a retail price of $999, as of January 2011, it was also the cheapest BMX bike in the magazine's handful of award winners. Additional features include predrilled holes for components like disc brakes, should you ever wish to fine-tune your BMX riding experience, plus a hub converter that lets you quickly switch between a freewheel to a fixed-gear riding style.
2010 Redline MXpert
The editors of "BMX Plus!" magazine praised Redline's BMX bicycle, saying it had the "right fit at the right price." With a retail price of $349, as of January 2011, the magazine says "this bike has taken [BMX prices] to an all-time low." Features that earned praise include race-quality frame geometry from the manufacturer's more expensive BMX race line, high-traction grips and finely tuned gearing that gives riders "a balance of acceleration and top-end speed."
Van Dessel Hole Shot
Van Dessel's BMX bike earned an editors' choice award from "Bicycling" magazine in 2009, and was the cheapest award winner of the year with a retail price of $649. Features that "Bicycling" noted include a shorter wheelbase, which can improve your quick maneuvering ability on tight BMX trails, plus a triple-butted aluminum frame combined with a carbon-fiber fork. The latter feature lends strength without increasing weight.
Felt Pyre
In its summary of this bike, "BMX Plus!" magazine called it "clean, simple . . . and affordable." The magazine says the manufacturer set out to create 2010's ideal BMX bike, and that it might have succeeded. Features that are often found on more advanced bikes include chromoly tubing, chain tensioners integrated directly in the frame, and cable guides that are fully removable. The magazine says the total value of all its parts, if you were to build it yourself, would equal approximately $1,695, which make the retail price of $599, as of January 2011, budget-friendly.
Kona Jake the Snake
Kona's BMX bike was among the top five BMX bicycles on Bike Radar -- earning a five of five stars -- and also one of the cheapest. Bike Radar says the bicycle has been a "familiar site at race meets for . . . years." That's because BMX riders like features such as 172.5 mm cranks, which help you take more aggressive turns on a BMX trail, plus a race-quality transmission and a radially laced front wheel. Depending on the specific configuration, the bike has a starting price of $1,199, as of January 2011.
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