The rims will also be available with a basalt braking surface for the shrinking group of riders who still like V-Brakes. The retail version of the Gate8, 4Sixty rims are still a few months away, plenty of time to start saving … we hear the Zolder Worlds may be the official unveiling. This will be lighter and stronger than an entry level model. As someone who works with entry level riders on a weekly basis, I can tell-you-true that the thing most of them (well, more specifically, their parents) need and want is a reliable, race-ready bike at an approachable price. The SWFT BMX is an e-bike disguised as what the pros use, with a durable low steel frame, an LCD control display, 350W motor with a top speed of 20 mph, and standard 20-inch wheels you’d typically find at the skatepark. You can easily take curbs but don’t expect to do many drinks in this—40 lbs.
Ready to win right out of the box, the MX is an excellent choice in Mini and Junior versions, the former for heights 4-foot-1-inch to 4-foot-5-inches, and the latter 4-foot-6-inches to 5-foot-1. The Expert, meanwhile, is best for those 5 feet to 5-foot-4-inches, and the Expert XL for 5-foot-2-inches to 5-foot-6-inches. Contrary to what we say above, some bike life riders say that 29-inch wheels are a great intro to the culture.
The test bike has undergone hundreds of race laps, from both experienced riders and BMX League loaner sessions. It has also undergone nearly 500 miles of on-street recreational riding (with an Answer BMX Seat Post Extender). It’s tough to get a competitive race bike for under $500, and pro-quality builds from high-end manufacturers like Daylight and Supercross can easily hit the $4,000 mark. Generally, starting with an affordable complete bike from a major manufacturer is best. Fairly quickly, you’ll figure out what you like and don’t like about it, which will guide you in a custom or semi-custom build to follow. Although this may seem like a brilliant feature, it does come at a price!
Both of those ideas being somewhat related to riding another bike to ‘help’ your performance when you get back on your normal mountain bike. BIkes like the Mongoose Fireball Moto are close enough to a mountain bike so as not to be wholly perplexing (like an actual BMX is) but different enough to be interesting. This bike is the sort of machine that aging BMXers acquire because they can’t help themselves.
The Mongoose Fireball Moto isn’t a retro mountain bike. Or, in my instance, a street bike cum pump track bike. I live in a part of the world where the local council has gone bananas for pump tracks. A lovely tarmac Velosolutions one and everything.
These bikes are strong enough for smooth landings on race and pump tracks but will not take the abuse that a freestyle bike would in concrete skateparks. If you’re looking to set fast lap times or begin your competitive career on the track, a race bike is the right choice. Sunday’s Primer can take you all the way to serious skatepark riding; riders between five to six feet tall will likely find exactly what they need with this bike. It features an Odyssey Springfield brake system, Path Pro tires, and a super durable hi ten steel frame for eating those inevitable spills. The bike is also backed by Sunday’s lifetime warranty for protection against defects. Sunday is one of the most recommended BMX bikes for first-time riders, and just like its name states, it’s a solid primer to the sport.
The
Mongoose “Legion L16” BMX Bike – 16 Inch
If you’re a little older and are looking for something less agile than a 20-inch ride, consider Stolen’s Saint 24. Built for stability, this cruiser will get you comfy at the skatepark with less chance of wiping out. And even when you do, your bike is surely stable thanks to steel tubes inside of its frame, fork, and bar. With mob cranks and sealed bearings, this is one great value ride.
Most of the options on this list were nominated by our test editors, who have experience with these and similar products in various conditions—from skatepark to street riding to racing. The rest we’ve evaluated based on user reviews, research, discussions with riders who are using them now, and how their specs compare to similar products we’ve tested in the past. Check out these options for the perfect BMX bike, from everyday essential mongoose fat bike to defiantly boutique. The 30mm profile rims, optimised for use outdoors in blustery conditions or so we’re told, will come in both 20” and 24” and are tubeless ready. Beside the fact that we’re hearing rumours of major brands having trouble keeping the tire on the rim during ‘elite level’ corner testing, we still like the idea of tubeless race bikes. Getting rid of that rotational weight has got to be a major advantage!