Buying the best BMX bike for beginners can be a little like shooting fish in a barrel. There are hundreds of great BMX bikes on the market, and if you don’t know where to start, you could come away confused and without a great bike. Choosing a BMX bike doesn’t have to be hard, though, whether you are choosing it for your kids or yourself. You can find a range of options for the best BMX bikes on the market that are high-quality and provide great performance. With a little research and knowing what to check you will be able to find the perfect bikes for BMX for you and your family.
There are several types of BMX riding, such as street BMX, dirt BMX, freestyle BMX, racing, and flatland BMX. Knowing what you intend to do will help you decide what features you need the most. If you are choosing a bike for your kids to ride around the neighborhood, you’ll probably want to shoot for a street or freestyle bike, since they are the most lightweight and versatile.
If you are looking for the best BMX bike for adults, you’ll need to consider the different components, like the brakes, frame material, and wheels, to ensure that you are getting a quality product made for adults.
In this user’s guide, we’ve rounded up the six top BMX rides on the market right now, and given each a complete review, so that you can easily find the bike you need.
The Best BMX Bikes
1. Elite BMX Bicycle
This is possibly the coolest bike on our list, but it’s definitely meant for adult riders. This is still classified as an entry-level bike, but it’s for beginners who already know that they’re ready to take the plunge into the world of BMX – or for pros who just want a fun backup bike. Elite loaded the Impact 20 with a world of features that you usually only find in much more expensive BMX bikes. This bike is made with HiTen Steel that allows for high jumps thanks to the lighter weight. The HiTen eight-inch rise bars are always ready to support you, and that’s just the beginning. The bike also comes with a Neco Headset, and the entire setup is made with name-brand, high-quality parts that will last for years if properly taken care of.
This bike really does push itself almost out of the entry-level range with all the quality features – there’s truly nothing missing here – but it manages to squeeze itself in thanks to a lower cost than many comparable options. If you are an adult or a teen looking for a real BMX bike that will let you truly embrace the sport, without breaking the bank, we’d recommend starting here.
2. Mongoose Legion Mag Freestyle Sidewalk BMX Bike
When it comes to affordable BMX bikes, you might not think that Mongoose would be listed. However, the Mongoose Legion Freestyle Sidewalk BMX Bike proves that you can find high quality at a reasonable price. While Mongoose has been offering bikes since 1974, the manufacturer has been consistent in pushing the boundaries of cycling, and the Legion Mag is an excellent example of that. It can be used by boys or men and is durable and lightweight for the best experience.
This BMX bicycle comes with a steel BMX frame and fork that can stand the test of time. It also comes complete with 20-inch aluminum wheels and comes in a bright orange color that will turn heads. The HiTen frame has low-stance geometry for a responsive ride along with alloy rear U-brakes so you can stop securely no matter where you are. It’s recommended for individuals between 4’8” and 5’4” in height and best for beginners.
With this bike, you get 40x16T gearing with single-piece 170-millimeter steel cranks for comfortable riding at a single speed. Most riders are going to appreciate this BMX bike for the hubs and wheelset. They come with sealed bearings and a cable detangler to help with 360-degree handlebar spins and other tricks. It also comes with four freestyle Mongoose pegs included. It has a weight capacity of 220 pounds.
3. Kent Pro Boy’s BMX Bike
If you’re just starting to shop for a BMX bike for a kid, and you don’t really know what kind of riding they want to do, a freestyle bike or a street bike is the safest bet. These types of BMX bikes let your kids learn a few simple tricks, but are mostly made for fun, rough-and-ready riding. The Kent Pro Boy’s BMX bike is the perfect bike for riding for a beginner, when you don’t want to spend a fortune. The specs are pretty impressive for the price range, including a solid body frame that is nice and durable.
The rear-only brake is a little disappointing in the safety column, but for the price, this is to be expected. The bike has a smooth ride and is much lighter weight than similar competitors, which makes it a lot easier to transport. Be aware that that also makes it easier to jump! But for kids who want to get a good feeling for a variety of BMX styles and sample everything, this is a pretty straightforward bike to try it all out. The price tag is a lot easier to swallow than many others on our list, so we’d recommend it for parents who want to give their kids a great experience on a budget.
4. Mongoose BMX Grudge Freestyle Bike
For another choice that tops the charts without breaking the bank, consider the Mongoose Grudge. This is ideal for adult riders from 5’4” to 6’2” courtesy of the 26-inch wheels. It’s one of those bikes that will stand out in a unique way through its accent colors on the rear pegs, tires, top tube pad, and handlebar. It comes in a beige and blue color with a durable and rugged frame and fork to take on whatever environment you enjoy the most.
This BMX bike also includes a single-speed drivetrain that is easy to maintain and use for anyone from a beginner to an expert. It has a rear V-brake and a front alloy caliper brank so you can stop whenever you need to and keep yourself in control the whole time. For those who plan to use the bike for commuting to work and class, it also has comfortable rubber handlebar grips and an ergonomic seat.
This bike an excellent choice for those who move between commuting and heading out to do bike tricks. As a BMX bike from Mongoose, you can trust that you’re getting one of the most durable frames on the market, along with features that make riding the bike a blast. Regardless of whether you’re riding around the neighborhood for exercise or you spend a ton of time at the bike park, it’s sure to fit your needs without a high price tag.
5. Kent Razor Nebula BMX/Freestyle Bike
Kent is a well-known bicycle manufacturer, and the Razor Nebula is one of their top offerings. It’s made specifically for younger riders and incorporates a tig-welded steel form and frame as well as 20-inch wheels with pegs for tricks and fun at the park. It comes in a rugged style that kids will love with white, black, and red splashes of color. It also fits with young riders since it has both front and rear hand brakes that are easy to use to stop.
The wheels on this bike are 20 inches and include the pegs for doing tricks and having a blast on the road or at the park. Since it’s a bike for younger cyclists, it’s lightweight at just under 32 pounds and rides like the wind. It also has the adjustability options that make for a great experience, including an adjustable seat angle and height. The Razor Nebula has 360-degree rotation so there’s nothing a rider can’t do on it.
Since the bike is for younger kids, it has a weight capacity of 100 pounds and is designed for those who are around eight to 11 years old. It includes linear-pull rear brakes, 48 spoke alloy rims, a CNC style stem, and an alloy caliper front. All in all, this is an exceptional BMX bike for a child who wants to learn to ride or pick up a few neat tricks.
6. Diamondback Bicycles Jr Viper BMX Bike
Another of the inexpensive BMX bikes on the market known for its high quality is the Jr. Viper from Diamondback Bicycles. It’s typically used by children, but it can also be used by adults who are smaller in stature. It comes at a reasonable price and can work for those who are learning to ride or interested in learning to do some tricks. It has a unique handlebar system that makes it easy to keep control of and the cranks are just the right size for smaller cyclists.
This BMX bike offers a durable steel fork and frame, which means it can handle crashes, drops, and bad weather outside. While it has a bit more weight than some bicycles, it’s not an extreme amount, and it works well for the price point you get. This bike includes a coaster brake for natural stopping as well as a hand brake to give a rider experience with rim brakes on high-end bicycles.
With the Jr. Viper, you can choose from two bright colors for cycling, each of which offers a 140-millimeter crank and 36T chainring so even smaller kids can keep up with the big ones. It has knobby tires that are sure to stay planted on the ground, no matter where you ride this bicycle. The bike fits cyclists who are 44 to 54 inches tall and has a single-speed drivetrain.
7. Redline Bikes Recon Freestyle BMX
Made for adult-sized riders, this bike is surprisingly light given its sturdy design. Weighing only 20 pounds, this bike is absolutely designed to get you higher than you’ve ever jumped before. The bike features a chromoly frame, which is what allows it to stay so lightweight despite being a much larger BMX bike for adults.
Despite the fact that it is made for jumping, we’d still call this an entry-level bike. It lacks many features like pegs that would take it up a notch, and while the padded pro saddle is a nice touch for comfort, the bike only just out-performs much cheaper options. That being said, it’s on this list for a reason. Not everyone wants to start with an expensive BMX bike to try out some better tricks. Starting on this bike is great, so you can perfect your skills. If you are wanting to experience flight with your bike at a reasonable price, we think this is the best way to get started.
8. Schwinn Sting Pro and Predator
Another bike that works well for children who want something a little flashier than the typical kids’ bike is the Schwinn Sting Pro. It’s created for those who are new to cycling, comes at an affordable price, and works well for those who are 4’8” to 5’4” in height. It has a lightweight aluminum frame, internal cable routing, and an integrated headset for safety and a stunning design.
The handlebars and fork of this BMX bike are made of HiTen chrome with a sealed bearing headset to make steering simple and straightforward. It offers aluminum linear-pull brakes and brake levers to help with controlling speed, as well. This bike has 20-inch wheels ideal for children and has a 160-millimeter drivetrain with three-piece cranks, a 42T chain rain, and a euro cartridge bottom bracket.
The bike makes an excellent choice for a child who is learning to ride or just getting a little more experienced. Between the quality materials, excellent manufacturing, and the dose of style, it’s one that will likely please many children.
A Short History of BMX Bikes
BMX stands for bike motocross, which is an apt name for these bikes. While many kids and adults might simply use the bike as their means of transportation and to ride and do some simple tricks with friends, they are often used for much more. They came into fame because they were the ideal type of bike to use when going over jumps and doing some incredible stunts.
The bikes first came into existence in the early part of the 1970s. It started in California, although some mistakenly believed it started in Eastern states. Kids were watching motocross and wanted to emulate those types of races with their bikes. They would head out to dirt tracks with their bikes, create jumps, and race one another to see who which rider was the best and fastest.
This would grow to include using the bikes to perform a wide range of stunts. Bikes were developed in order to more effectively meet the needs of this growing niche market. Just as with other types of sports like skateboarding and surfing, various subcultures started to grow out of the BMX bike movement. There were those who wanted to race on dirt tracks like their motocross heroes, those who took to the street, and those who embraced freestyle BMX.
The movement grew so large that it has become a legitimate sport. There are professional teams and riders with sponsorships for the countless competitions that take place around the country each year at the amateur and professional levels. Over time, there have been new designs and innovations to many parts of the bike including the stem, handlebars, wheels, and more.
A Quick Guide to BMX Riding Styles
Throughout this buyer’s guide, we’ve made mention of different types of BMX styles, which can help you determine which bike is best for you. But if you’ve never heard these styles before, or if you are buying a gift, you may want to know what we’re talking about! Here are the most common BMX riding styles:
- Freestyle BMX means doing tricks on flat ground, riding up and down ramps at skate parks, and generally just being very flexible with what you do while you are riding around.
- Dirt BMX means that you are playing on a dirt track. This type of BMX often involves jumping.
- Street BMX simply means riding around on the street, but it can also mean doing tricks, racing, and more. The key difference here is that the rider can expect to be on pavement, rather than on dirt or at a park.
- Flatland BMX typically uses a very lightweight and small bike for doing tricks.
- Racing BMX is just what it sounds like: going very fast on a variety of different types of tracks. This may involve jumps, obstacles, and more.
- Park riding refers to riding in skate parks both indoors and outdoors. Even though these parks are commonly thought of to be the domain of skaters, over the years, it has become common for them to share their space with BMX riders.
As you can see, freestyle and street bikes are very similar, and that’s why we recommend them for beginners. They offer the most versatility so that you can try some fast riding, some park play, and some street cruising. As you use your bike in more scenarios, you’ll learn which area you want to focus on for your next bike.
How to Choose a BMX Bike
When you are hunting for a quality bmx bike, you need to remember that the best bike for you might not be the best bike for someone else. Just because you might have a friend or a family member who has a great BMX bike, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right choice for you. It is important that you check several factors when you are making your choice for the bike if you want to have the best possible performance. This is true for kids and adults alike. Learn about some of the best options, check to see what’s available, and find out what works best for you.
Materials
You will find that most of the entry-level BMX bikes for racing, as well as freestyle bikes, will be made from Chromoly 4130, which is a type of steel composite. This provides a substantial amount of strength to the frame, forks, and other elements of the bike. This is a better material than what you will often find with the lower-end bikes that are sold in some department stores. With the Chromoly 4130, it is possible for the steel to be thinner toward the middle of the tube, which makes it lighter. It can still be reinforced at the ends, which is what provides it the necessary added strength.
Keep in mind, most people who are going to be riding a BMX are going to be doing freestyle or riding rough tracks. Quality materials are important for the comfort of the bike, as well as durability. The last thing a rider needs are cracked forks or busted sprockets.
Those who are going to be racing with the will want to make sure that they consider a frame that is lightweight. There are some great lightweight frames that you can consider. Typically, this will mean going with an aluminum frame for the BMX bike.
However, there is also the option of choosing a carbon fiber frame, as well. These are also lightweight, but they will cost more than an aluminum frame. The carbon fiber frame and forks have some other advantages, as well. It will be able to dampen vibrations, which means that when you are riding, it will be a more comfortable experience. It can also make the bike easier to handle. It may be something you will want to check out.
When you are looking at the material for the bike, make sure that you are looking at not only the frame and fork. You will also want to know what the rear hub is made from, as well as the sprockets, stem, and all of the other features on the bike. If you find a bike that you like a lot save for a couple of features that you can replace, it might still be worthwhile. You can then replace those features with the gear that you want.
Frame Size
While different riders will have different preferences, the frame size is something that you will need to consider for yourself when you are choosing the bikes with the best performance. However, there are guidelines that tend to work well when choosing a BMX bike whether for kids or adults.
● 4’ and under – Bike frame size from 15” to 16”. These bikes are called micro-minis.
● 4’ to 4’6” – Bike frame size from 16” to 17”. These bikes are known as minis.
● 4.4” to 4.10” – Bike frame size from 17” to 18.5”. These bikes are called juniors.
● 4’8” to 5’4” – Bike frame size from 18.5” to 19.5”. These bikes are called experts.
● 5’4” to 5’10” – Bike frame size from 20” to 20.5”. These bikes are called pros.
● 5’10” and up – Bike frame size from 20’5” and up. These are Pro XL or XXL.
Something that you will want to remember with the size of the bike is that the wheel sizes are going to stay consistent. The frame size will change, and that will be what makes it possible to work with not only the height of the rider but also his or her preferred riding style. Always be sure to check the frame when choosing a bike.
Most of the time, the freestyle BMX bikes that come standard will have a 21” top tube. This ensures that the riders will have plenty of room where they can swing the bike under them. This is essential for doing various types of tricks, particularly those when the rider is in the air. However, there is an exception to the rule. Flatland frames, often used for street riding, will be lighter and have shorter tubes. This helps to provide better control and balance.
With bikes built for racing rather than regular bikes for the street, you might notice that there is a slacker head angle, as well as a longer wheelbase. This will put the rider further back on the bike, providing them with great handling and better stability even when going fast. You will also want to note that there is a much wider selection of frame sizes for racing than those listed above.
Consider how the bike will be used, check the features it provides, and then choose one that can provide what you need.
Tires
The tires are also an important factor to consider for any BMX customer. The tires that are used on the bike will affect the grip, handling, and the speed of the bike. Those who are riding in the street or a skate park will find that wider tires that are smooth-rolling tend to work quite well. Those who are out on the dirt rather than the streets will want to find options that have more traction and that will have lower pressure. Tires with lower pressure will provide more grip.
One of the great things about tires, unlike the frame and fork, is that you can have multiple tires for your BMX bike and switch them out quickly. Even if you aren’t happy with the initial tires on your bike, they are simple enough to change out until you find the best option for your riding style whether it is as a freestyle BMX bike or a racer.
Gearing, Brakes, and More
Even though these bikes will not have multiple gears, you should consider the number of teeth on the chainring and sprocket. This is called the gear ratio. Because racing bikes will need to provide more explosive power, they will have a larger chainring and sprocket. Freestyle BMX bikes will have a shorter chainring and sprocket, as this can provide better clearance over features and so you can easily ride out of tricks.
Check the quality of the brakes and the type of brakes that are available with the bike, and make sure they can give you the type of stopping power you will need. Most of the bikes will feature rim brakes, while freestyle bikes will have a U-brake.
It takes time to find the perfect bike, and it takes research. You need to check the materials, tires, wheels, stem, handlebars, and a host of other features before you make your choice. Ask those you know to share information they have about their own bikes, which can help you make a decision.
However, you don’t simply want to choose the same bike as they have. Remember, to get the perfect bike, it needs to be right for you. Whether you are simply out riding the roads on a Sunday afternoon, there is an option that’s right for you. Check the BMX’s features and remember that you don’t have to start with the best and most expensive bike out there.
Grab Some Safety Equipment Too!
Before you choose the BMX bike that is right for you and call it a day, don’t forget that safety equipment is an important part of BMX riding. You want to make sure that any new BMX rider, whether it is an adult or a child, has a helmet that fits well, and possibly gloves if they’ll be doing tricks that could see them falling a lot. Everyone who is riding should have their own safety equipment, so they do not have to share and to be sure it fits properly. Padded clothing for races or dirt BMX is also a very good idea to protect your body. It is also possible to find other types of safety gear including kneepads and elbow pads. These can help to prevent injury in case of a fall.
Now that you know what you need to get started with this high-speed sport, it’s time to get out and find the best BMX bike for you.