Guide To Choosing the Right BMX Style and Accessories

Article by John Diggers









There are now about five or so different styles of BMX bikes you can buy and several different styles of riding. BMX stands for ‘bicycle motocross’ and it first appeared more that 30 years ago. It started as many great things in the East coast of the USA.

Types of BMX Riding:BMX trick riding and freestyle ground work – seen on X-Games /Gravity Games is now mainstream in BMX riding. Special BMX stunt components like large axle pegs and other accessories designed to make spinning handlebars, jumping on and off the bike at crazy angles.

Vert BMX Riding:Vert the was the name given to the type of riding you see where it looks like the guys are going up and down the insides of a massive desert bowl. It can also involve ramp trick riding and loads of freestyle manoeuvres.

Freestyle BMX Riding:Freestyle BMX is split into two types of riding – the forerunner was freestyle that involves ramps, jumps and tricks in the air and utilises specialised BMX freestyle bikes parts and accessories.

Flatland BMX Riding:Now we see flatland BMX emerging in a huge way which is basically trick bmx riding on the ground or on the street. Flatland riding is done on ramps, half-pipes and other natural ramps and protrusions.

Dirst BMX Riding:Dirt BMX jumping on BMX and mountain bikes involves massive ‘airs’ (tricks in the air), mid air turns and twists and over humps of earth and mud. Sometimes the ends of the dirt mounds are almost vertical! Like with all the styles above – they all interweave and entwine allowing riders to express themselves and their bicycle artform in a million different and unique ways.

Choosing the Right BMX Bike:The many forms of BMX bike riding can make choosing the right bike daunting. Don’t fear! BMX’s are just like other bicycles – the more you pay the lighter and stronger they are. What are you going to use the bike for – medium distance rides – in which case lightness is a big plus (remember BMX’s dont have gears and you will find yourself pedalling like crazy if your riding on the road – hence the usefulness of a light BMX frame). Or maybe the bike will only get used once in a blue moon and therefore the extra expense of a lightweight BMX is money.

AND always remember to buy from a decent BMX bike dealer. The cheapest is not always the best in the long run. Get some advice from your bike shop and try a few BMXs out. At that point you can start looking for the best or cheapest price on the particular bicycles you are after. Get to know your local bike shop staff and get some good BMX advice and help from them. They should be able to guide you in the right direction. They will also offer you back up and bicycle technical support should things on your bike need adjusting or replacing. DON’T buy a bike from a supermarket or a superstore as the mechanical, supplier and replacement parts backup will be poor or non-existent.



About the Author

The author is associated with Woolly Hat Shop, who are suppliers of bicycle light sets and bicycle tyres.