Black BMX

How to Shop
First things first:

* Who will be riding the BMX bicycle?
* How important is a brand name?
* How long will Junior ride this BMX bike before he graduates to a mountain bike, or loses interest altogether and picks up a skateboard?

There’s much less differentiation of quality among brands than advertising and certain salespeople would have you believe. This is particularly true of less-expensive BMX bikes, many of which are made in the same factories overseas and then painted with different companies’ logos. Even with more expensive BMX bicycles, the price can be inflated for a fashionable bike or one that’s endorsed by a popular pro rider, even though it may not offer any better features or construction than a cheaper model. So, much of the purchasing decision will come down to you or your child’s riding preference, his or her need to follow fashion, and of course, the amount you are willing to spend on a bike.

Key features to look out for:
Depending on the type of BMX riding you’re interested in, BMX racing bikes need to be lightweight as well as rugged. They usually feature 36-spoke wheels and should come equipped with knobby tires for better traction on dirt.

Racing BMX bicycles usually require only single, rear wheel brakes.

Freestyle BMX bikes, on the other hand, are ridden on the street so you’ll want smooth tires and 48-spoke wheels for increased strength. The handlebars should be able to spin 360 degrees and the frame should have 2 or 4 axle pegs for supporting the rider while he or she performs freestyle tricks. A freestyle BMX bicycle should have brakes on the front wheel as well as the rear, along with special stunt components such as cable detanglers so the cables don’t break or become knotted when you spin the handlebars in mid-air.

BMX dirt-jumping bikes also need 48-spoke wheels, but with knobby rather than smooth tires, again for maintaining a good grip on dirt-jumping mounds. These bikes usually feature heavier duty frames and axles as well, with reinforced gussets in order to withstand the heavy landings from huge air jumps. Like a racing BMX bicycle, a dirt jumping bike will only need a single, rear wheel brake.

BMX frame Size
Unless you are shopping for a very young child, there are usually only minor variations in the size of a BMX bicycle frame, variations that reflect the riding style of a rider rather than his or her body size. As your child grows or his riding style changes, you might need to buy a longer seat post or adjust the handle bars to accommodate those changes.

Buy Local ? or Department Shop
Your local bicycle shop will likely not only offer the most helpful advice during the shopping process, but after you’ve made your purchase, they’ll also be there with mechanical support as well.It is worth bearing in mind that buying a BMX bicycle from a department store rather than a specialist bike shop may not provide you with the follow-up replacement parts you may need in the future. A bigger selection will mean better choices, better deals, and salespeople who ride BMX bikes themselves.

Extra Kit
When looking at the cost of any BMX bicycle, it is important to factor in the cost of necessary accessories. Any rider will need elbow and knee pads in addition to a safety helmet, especially those involved in freestyle riding and dirt jumping. It’s worth telling your kids that tricks and stunts performed on telly are by undertaken by skilled pro riders with years of experience. Young kids and beginners should only ride within their skill and experience levels.

When to Buy
If you can wait until fall or winter when sales dip you are more likely to pick up a bargain deal from a shop that is eager to sell the older model BMX bicycles to make way for the next year’s model. As with other types of bikes, getting the best deal when purchasing a BMX bicycle is not just about knowing how to shop, but also when to shop. BMX bicycle prices can vary throughout the year, with the most popular time to buy a new BMX bike being the spring or summer.

An Introduction To BMX Riding
It’s about a way of life with a unique style that is now spreading to other areas of cycling as well as main stream fashion and culture.All BMX riding is strongly influenced by riders who have paved the way for others to follow, such as Bob Haro, Ron Wilkerson, Eddie Roman and Matt Hoffman who push the boundaries of the sport creating new tricks and constantly developing the sport. These riders lead the way in bike design and fashion with large manufacturers stepping in and using their knowledge to design new signature brands and models that are used in skate parks, on the street and raced around tracks across the world.

However, BMX is not just about riding. BMX riding has five main disciplines that are split into two sections; racing and freestyle. Four of the areas come under the general heading of freestyle riding, which all have their own style, tricks and culture. These disciplines are Flatland, Dirt Street, Ramp and Park.

Dirt Jumping
Dirt jumping takes place on either a collection of jumps (otherwise known as trails) or on one or two larger jumps. This discipline is the most common type of BMX competition seen on the TV. Trail riders often build trials in woodland with systems of jumps that all link together and larger ones mixed in so that the biker can pull different styles and ranges of tricks from one jump to the next. Dirt Jumping involves large jumps where big air is the name of the game. Lots of tricks can be dangerous and extremely difficult to perform.

BMX bikes are heavier than street or flatland cycles, made from strong steels and often triple butted welding at the joints. This is essential asthey need to be manufactured to withstand the large impacts that this skilful discipline involves. They will normally have no stunt pegs and will only feature a giro if that is the type of trick the rider wishes to perform. The wheels, although still 20?, commonly have just 36 spokes. Although strong they are lighter and easier for jumping and moving in the air. The bars are two piece for added strength and incorporate a bracing bar to stop them collapsing upon landing. Tricks include back flips, tail whips and 360s.

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Flatland BMX
The basic idea behind flatland riding is performing tricks whilst riding on a flat piece of land. This makes it highly accessible to riders as it does not require obstacles or specially built parks. As with all BMX disciplines a high level of skill and lots of practice is required with groups of riders often gathering in car parks or tennis courts to show off their moves.

The cycles tend to be short and light, giving the rider to have greater control and allowing the fames to be spun more easily. For optimum positioning at either end these bicycles have four stunt pegs (two on each wheel) and generally use a gyro headset that enables the bike to be spun 360 degrees without tangling the cables. Most BMX riders will also use two brakes at the front and rear, however this is personal choice as many prefer a simple front brake.