There’s still a sense that BMX is a sport strictly reserved for kids. Once upon a time, when we were all wearing parachute pants and pushing up the sleeves of our sport coat, that might have been the case. These days, plenty of 40-year-olds are still out on the ramps, and each year interest in BMX grows.
What Is a BMX Bike?
If you’re still unsure of what is entailed in the BMX phenomenon, it’s perhaps the only good thing to come out of the 70’s besides The Ramones. More officially known as bicycle motocross, it began as a way to teach younger, smaller riders how to get involved in standard motocross racing by using small, single speed bikes. Then ended up turning into its own sport. As it gained popularity, BMX split into racing and freestyle riding. Racing is what you would expect, with freestyle being more devoted to tricks. These then split again into four bicycle motocross sub-genres:
Flatland – Entails performing tricks, spins, and turns on a flat surface.Park – Skate park riding with a multitude of small aerial stunts using skate ramps.Street – Racing through a set of man-made obstacles.Vert – Big air jumps and epic tricks done off a massive ramp or, more commonly, half-pipe.
13 Best BMX Bikes (Brands Worth the Money)
Whatever your style, BMX riding is tough on your equipment, which requires having the best on the track. We drummed up and shook down the finest brands and premier riders to find what is the best BMX bike out there.
1. Mafiabikes Kush 2 BMX Bike
The Kush 2 is a solid introduction to the BMX world, even for those coming in cold. It uses components from their higher 3, with similar geometry so you need not acclimate to a fresh style as your needs grow and deepen. Tapered blade forks enhance the street cred and utility of the Kush 2, devising a high-end look at an affordable price.
2. Mongoose Logo BMX Bike
A smokin’ starter bike with 20” wheels and a Hi-Ten steel frame, the Logo isn’t the lightest BMXer around, but it can take a lot of punishment for a limited amount of scratch. The top tube is a mid-range 20.25” which allows riders of smaller stature to make it work, but it’s not meant for the tall and rangy.
3. Kink Liberty
Kink’s Liberty BMX bike is a finest-for-the-funds scenario that is workable for most budgets, yet still manages to get a lot of gear for a complete BMX. Larger riders will find the frame workable for getting on the ground with Sexton’s SXTN line of products and his preferred LHD drivetrain, which is race ready the moment it’s put together.
4. Elite Bicycles Stealth BMX
Philly-based Elite Bicycles is best known for their triathlon and road bikes, but their range of Stealth BMX bikes holds its own. Hi-ten steel frame, bars, and fork; alloy stem, and one-piece chromoly cranks attest to the value for money. Whether you’re just getting started or have a few tricks up your sleeve, this is an easy purchase. Grinding pegs and rear brakes included.
5. Schwinn Sting Pro
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die”–that’s the Sting Pro all over. Recently revived from its 35 year stasis, Schwinn’s iconic gum wall tires, high-rise bar, rattrap pedals, and chrome finish all survived the trip the time machine in style. Ideally, they would have updated it to have a chromoly frame to lighten the load, but the hi-ten steel is as solid a performer as its ever been.
6. Sunday Bikes Aaron Ross Forecaster
There’s a lot to love about the Aaron Ross Forecaster. The signature Odyssey grips and seats are eye-catching against the matte pink frame, but it’s the advanced chromoly cranks, Freecoaster clutch, and Mexican Blanket pivotal seat that are really worth getting worked up about. The smooth movement of the bike is captured with a Sunday Sabretooth 25T steel sprocket and Lightning rims that keep it running like it’s on rails.
8. Fit Bike Co. Str (MD)
Fit again hits all the selling points with their 2021 STR. The fork, front triangle, and chainstays are all chromo, as are the 3-pc tubular cranks. The Barstool pivotal saddle is pleasingly textured for easy mobility as you flip and spin, so you’ll never lose your seating whether turning and burning or leaning into the road curves.
9. United Martinez BMX Bike
Underneath that stellar copper exterior is 100% 4130 cromo on the fork and tubing, with removable mounts and guides that let you ride how you want. The tires are a beefy 2.4”, but the clearance is well-balanced so that you don’t end up with too much or too little space. At the end of the day, serious Freecoaster fans can’t miss with anything bearing Corey Martinez’s name.
10. Flybikes Omega Freecoaster
The Omega is living proof that Flybikes wants to do everything in-house, as it’s engineered with their equipment from fork to tail. Their Volcano 2 stem makes an appearance up front with a Tractor XL 25T sprocket in the middle that whirls, twirls, and shimmies. Where Flybikes isn’t outfitting it with their favorite parts, Trebol picks up the slack with a fistful of goodies that add their distinctiveness under the proverbial hood.
11. Kink Tony Hamlin Signature Solace Freecoaster
Check Price Few names in the BMX business are as consistently impressive as Kink, and the Tony Hamlin Signature Solace Freecoaster is their flagship model, truly making it the best of the best of the best. Built with care out of nothing but 4130 chromoly, the Solace can take a serious pounding. The butted toptube and downtube meshed with Kink’s own Foundation II fork complete the bombproof package.
12. WeThePeople Envy
The Envy sits confidently atop WeThePeople’s impressive line. It’s light and wieldy, yet unyieldingly strong for ultimate agility, featuring the signature Envy XLT frame and Eclat Storm SLT fork. Moreover, it carries the cutting-edge SEISMIC cassette hub, aka la crème de la absolute crème. It all comes together into a formidable, unstoppable package that goes as hard as you do. Lifetime guarantee on the frame and fork, just because.
13. Haro Blackout
A straight up racing fiend, the Blackout doesn’t pretend to be good for newbie riders. Built low to the ground with speed and agility on its mind, this is a dauntless predator that weighs a lean 20lbs thanks to a super light 7005 aluminum frame. At the head of this panther is a Citizen carbon fork with a tapered alloy steer tube for tighter control at high speeds. It comes in black and black.
Best BMX Bikes: CONCLUSION
So are you in the market for a complete trick bike? Did you find our guide here helpful? Did we miss one of the best BMX bikes in your opinion? We’d love to hear your opinion and feedback if you tested any of these models. Hit us up in the comments box below.
