| Sales of BMX bikes are increasing faster than | | | | ride the 20" bikes. This is the size favored by |
| almost any other type of bicycle. BMX bikes can | | | | many adults and pros, as well. There are BMX |
| be seen on every street, sidewalk and even in | | | | bikes with even larger wheels or in-between sizes |
| their natural habitat, off-road. Even if you never | | | | but they aren't as popular. |
| leave your house you've certainly seen such bikes | | | | The tires on BMX bikes are different from |
| on TV. Sure, you probably know what a BMX | | | | conventional road bikes. They're knobby to give |
| bike is, but what you probably don't know is what | | | | them excellent traction on dirt trails and tracks. In |
| exactly differentiates a BMX bike from other | | | | fact, they're very similar to mountain bike tires, |
| bikes. We'll tell you how they're different. | | | | just smaller. |
| We'll start with their origin. It's quite simple, really. | | | | Speaking of mountain bikes, such rides often have |
| Bikes remained pretty much the same for many | | | | as many as 21 gears! Road bikes and beach |
| decades after they were invented, but the | | | | cruisers typically don't have that many but they |
| popularity of off-road motorcycle racing, or | | | | do range from 3 to 18 speeds. BMX bikes, on the |
| motocross, during the 60's changed that. Kids saw | | | | other hand, have just one gear. They have one |
| the pros racing around on their dirt bikes and | | | | sprocket up front and one on the back wheel. |
| taking them off dirt ramps. They wanted to be | | | | That's it, they use just one gear because they're |
| like their heroes so kids imitated them on their | | | | made for all-out sprints and to have precise |
| bikes, which, at the time, weren't made for such | | | | control for freestyle tricks. |
| rough-housing. It didn't take long for bike | | | | Another feature which differentiates BMX bikes |
| manufacturers to catch on and start | | | | from conventional bikes are their brakes. BMX |
| manufacturing bikes made specifically for the | | | | bikes often have just a rear brake. Having a front |
| rigors of racing and jumping off-road. Soon there | | | | brake increases the likelihood of accidentally using |
| were sanctioned bicycle motocross (BMX) all over | | | | just the front one and causing an accident. Plus, |
| the country. The BMX segment of the market | | | | racers don't need the extra braking power |
| grew and grew and continues to expand today. | | | | because they don't want to slow down! A BMX |
| And of course most the kids (and adults) you see | | | | bike made for doing tricks will have a front brake, |
| on these bikes don't ever race and probably don't | | | | though. |
| jump them off anything more daring than a curb. | | | | BMX bikes also usually come with pads to protect |
| Still though, BMX bikes are made to take a | | | | the rider during accidents and wrecks, which can |
| beating. | | | | happen a lot during races. Most racers don't |
| Now, to discuss the physical attributes of the | | | | bother with pads, though, they're too cool for |
| BMX bike which makes it different from other | | | | that. If the bike does have pads, they're usually |
| bikes. The particular features can be narrowed | | | | on the top bar, handlebar clamp, and the |
| down to the frame, the wheels/tires, the brakes, | | | | handlebar crossbar. |
| and the gears. | | | | BMX bikes are a booming business, and their |
| The frame on BMX bikes is designed to be very | | | | popularity has increased across almost all |
| light so it can be easily maneuvered and very | | | | segments of the market. You can often see BMX |
| strong so it can withstand the stresses of | | | | riders on televised competitions and commercials. |
| jumping and racing. The light weight of a BMX | | | | BMX bikes are being ridden by all sorts of people, |
| frame is also important because a lighter bike can | | | | from professional riders to five year olds just |
| save you valuable seconds in a close-fought BMX | | | | having fun, adults who never grew out of them, |
| race. Aluminum and chrome-moly steel are the | | | | and everyone in between. |
| two materials most favored by BMX'ers. Regular | | | | BMX bikes are available in a range of sizes to |
| bikes are usually made from cheap grades of | | | | accommodate all types of riders and all ages. |
| steel prone to rusting or even breaking when put | | | | They also have many specialized features to suit |
| under a lot of stress. | | | | a variety of uses. There are, of course, a wide |
| Another distinguishing feature of BMX bikes are | | | | range in prices, too. If you are considering buying |
| their wheels and tires. Most BMX bikes have 20" | | | | a bike for yourself or someone else, your best |
| rims, of course they can also be purchased in | | | | source of information are the people at your local |
| other sizes. There is the 12" size for young | | | | bike shop. There's also tons of reliable information |
| children just learning to ride. These days kids are | | | | online. The two main issues you need to consider |
| learning to ride bikes before they learn to read! | | | | are how the bike is going to be used and how |
| The next size up is the 16" wheel. These bikes | | | | much you are willing to spend. From there it's up |
| are mostly used by kids from the ages of 8 to | | | | to you. |
| 12. Once they enter the teen years, most kids | | | | |