Whether you’re looking for yourself or someone else. Answering a few questions makes choosing the right type of BMX bike much easier. Do you want to race? Insist on a lightweight frame and parts? Will you walk the streets or dig in the dirt? Will your playground be the local skatepark, BMX track, or your friend’s ramps? Thinking about these things and having a good idea of what you want. And where you will be riding will help you get the right BMX bike.
Because people often use the term “BMX” generically. It’s also important to understand three different types of BMX bikes. A true BMX bike, freestyle and motocross bike, or just a “jump” bike.
What is the difference between all these different types of BMX bikes? That’s what we’re here to explain. There’s nothing better than seeing these great bikes in person. After reading this article, come to our store and check them out!
Table of Contents
Types of 20-inch wheels:
BMX:
Description: Dirt-ready racing bike
Features: Knobby tires, lightweight frame, and parts, powerful rear brake
Ideal use: Racing on dirt roads, fast off-road driving for short distances
Freestyle:
Description: Super tough stunt and trick bike
Features: Extra Rugged Frame and Wheels, Road Ready Tires. Cable Detangling Headset, Axle Pins
Ideal use: Riding in the skatepark, learning and performing stunts and tricks
Jump:
Description: Sometimes called Dirt Jumper. It is a combination of BMX and freestyle bikes.
Features: Rigid frame and wheels, rear brake, studded tires
Ideal Use: Carving local trails, jumping ramps in your friend’s backyard
BMX
Real BMX bikes started it all in the late sixties. They were knockoffs of motocross bikes. And were designed to be raced over jumps and around berms in the dirt. Soon, kids everywhere had them, racers or not. BMX bikes are still designed for racing. Although you don’t need to race to enjoy these machines’ lightweight. Speed and durability. They usually have 20-inch wheels (except 24-inch wheeled “cruisers”). Bumpy tires, upright handlebars with bars, small saddles, long cranks, and rear-hand brakes. The frames are light and strong, and the higher the price, the lighter.
BMX bikes are generally made of Chromoly steel or aluminum. Chromoly frames are slightly heavier and cheaper. Aluminium frames are lighter and often made from oversize or exotically shaped tubing. Besides to the lower weight, aluminium is also stainless. So if you scratch the frame, there is no need to rush to repair it. BMX bikes also come in different frame sizes. Our chart below shows the approximate fit based on rider age. Final assembly is best done in our shop. Also, Pro and Expert wheels are sometimes available in XL (Extra Long) sizes.
Freestyle:
These entered the scene shortly after BMX bikes. Rather than racing, the freestyle bike is ideal for flat tricks. Aggressive street riding, and vertical riding in skateparks. It’s also a great bike for riding to school, the shop, and the pool. Super strong construction takes priority over lightweight. The wheels are usually either “mag” wheels made of solid nylon (far left in the photo below). Or heavy-duty models with 48-wire spokes. The tires are 20 x 2.125 or wider, with a fairly smooth tread since this is mostly pavement. Axle pins are often included (riders stand on them for stunts). Although some manufacturers leave them out so you can choose your own. Freestyle bikes have front and rear brakes. The front cable is guided by a “rotor” or “uncoiler.” Which allows full rotation of the handlebars without tangling the brake cable.
Dirt jumper:
As the name suggests, dirt jumpers (also known as jumpers) are designed for flight. They also bridge the big gap between BMX bikes and freestylers. (denser than the former, lighter than the latter). They usually don’t have front brakes, and their muscle bikes usually have 36 thick 13 spokes. Instead of resorting to 48 spokes as freestyle bikes do. They are sometimes equipped with 24-inch wheels, a great choice for larger riders. Tires are the heaviest of all BMX types.
Equipment selection:
When buying a BMX bike, there are several important parts to do:
Wheels:
The bikes must fit your needs. Since acceleration out of the starting gates is important in BMX. The bikes are much lighter than freestyle or jump bikes. But, these lightweight 32-spoke BMX racing aluminium wheels. Won’t hold up to jumping or ramping. So freestyle bikes almost only come with 48-spoke or magnet wheels. It makes them extra robust for the greatest rim protection. Dirty jumper wheels tend to be a bit more colourful. Some dirt jumpers only come with 36 high-fat 13-diameter spokes. Others come with 48 spokes, like freestyle bikes. Depending on whether the bike is geared more toward jumping or dirt riding. It is also important to note that. The skinnier BMX tire and rim sizes (20 x 1 1/8-3/8 and 24 x 1 1/8-3/8) are not interchangeable with 20 x 1.5 or 1.75. tires and rims.
Tires:
BMX tires straddle the line between pavement and dirt treads. Although mostly off-road, tracks are often packed dirt. Where low rolling resistance is important. The tread must provide optimal speed, traction, and grip during cornering and acceleration. Freestyle tires designed for roads and indoor surfaces. Premium tires are also often inflated to a higher pressure. Reducing rolling resistance, and increasing rim protection. And reducing tire deflection when the sidewalls subjected to high loads. Such as when landing. Dirt jumpers are usually designed for the greatest traction. Since speed is unimportant and the conditions are not as controlled. Their lugs are a bit stronger.
Handlebars:
Apart from the differences in weight and strength. There is also a subtle difference in the shape of the handlebars between BMX bars and others. Freestyle and vault bars tend to rise steeper. From the clamp area to give the rider more freedom of movement. When performing manoeuvres on the flat and in the air. Also, the bars found on 24-inch BMXs and jumpers will be slightly shorter than those found on 20-inch bikes.
Brakes:
Freestyle bikes have front and rear brakes. BMX and jumping bikes usually only have rear brakes. The type of brake is also important. BMXers must pure stopping power. So they prefer linear brakes that offer the greatest grip. Freestylers are more interested in control than grip. And prefer U-brakes front and rear. Although U-brakes don’t offer the stopping power of linear pulls. They offer better modulation, so they work like dimmers. Whereas linear pulls are more like on/off switches.
Conclusion:
This article will help you organize your BMX bike. The types of brakes, equipment needed for bikes, and others. This article helps you maintain your BMX bikes; we are glad that this remains helpful for you.
