What is a BMX Bike?
BMX bikes are a type of bicycle used for BMX racing and freestyle. They are usually designed for tricks. BMX bikes are also known as the original bicycle motocross.
BMX bikes are characterised by their long frames, short wheelbase, and high center of gravity. They have a freestyle look as they are usually made of metal or high-strength plastics that are light in weight. They like a street bike but has heavier, thicker wheels and stronger frames to handle the rough terrain and obstacles in BMX racing.
History of BMX Biking in the UK
BMX Biking is a sport that was originated in the United States, and it has had a strong impact on the culture of many countries. It’s still not popular in some countries. But some people say that BMX has also been popularised in some European countries such as the UK, France, Italy and Belgium.
In the UK, BMX bikes were first seen around 1973. In 1974, British riders were able to compete at international level for the first time. By 1979, there was an event which included BMX biking competitions and a demo area where bike riders could show off their skills. This event is considered to be an important event in British BMX biking history because it showed how many people were interested in the sport.
What are the Different Types of BMX Bikes?
BMX bikes are generally made of steel and they come in different shapes and sizes. They were originally designed for flat tracks as they allow riders to take higher jumps than other types of bikes.
There are four types of BMX bikes:
- Freestyle – These bikes are used for tricks and jumps
- Flatland – These bikes are designed for riding around a flat track
- Race – This is the type that is used in professional racing
- Mini – Mini BMX bikes are exactly what they sound like. Small brakeless models designed for tricks.
BMX Bike Comparisons
Mountain Bike Comparison
BMX and mountain bikers have a lot in common. They both are thrill seekers at heart. However the bikes they choose to ride differ and heres how.
BMX bikes and mountain bikes are both used for different purposes. A mountain bike is designed to go up hills and over rocky terrain. BMX bikes are designed with a frame size of 20-22 inches, which is smaller than the frame sizes on mountain bikes (20-24 inches). Generally speaking a BMX bike has a tighter turning radius and higher handlebars than a mountain bike, which give the rider better control.
The main difference between these two types of bikes is that BMX bicycles have no suspension. This gives them a more slim profile to help the rider navigate obstacles along their course. A mountain bike will sometimes have a front suspension or even a full suspension setup. Mountain bike frames with front or full suspension, will find it easier to go up or down hills as well as uneven terrain.
BMX bikes are smaller and lighter than mountain bikes. They are often used for racing or jumping, but they can also be used for commuting. Mountain bikes are usually slower than BMX bikes, but they usually work better than BMXs on rough terrain.
Road Bike Comparison
Road bikes are more lightweight and narrower than BMX bikes. They are designed with a racing position in mind, which means they have a slacker head tube angle, lower bottom bracket, longer wheelbase, and shorter top tube.
BMX bikes are designed for tricks. They have larger frames to allow riders to stand up on the bike more easily for performing tricks. BMX bikes also have larger tyres so that riders can use them for dirt jumps.
Road Bike vs BMX Bike:
- Road bikes are typically used on paved roads, while BMX bikes are used on dirt, gravel or grass.
- The frame size of a BMX bike is smaller than that of a road bike.
- Road bike tyres are more narrow than BMX tyres, which makes them more aerodynamic for use on paved roads.
- Road bike brakes are less powerful but more reliable for use on paved roads.
Touring Bike Comparison
BMX bikes are designed to perform some tricks. Touring bikes, on the other hand, are designed for a more comfortable and long ride. They have relaxed geometry and a bigger frame size.
BMX bikes have a lower frame size and tighter geometry while touring bikes have a higher frame size and more relaxed geometry. Touring bikes also come with suspension on both front and back shocks while BMX bikes only come with suspension on the back shock.
One difference between BMX bike brakes and touring bike brakes is that BMX bike brakes usually don’t come with disc brake rotors which means they will require more frequent replacement of pads, cables, or even whole sets of brake pads when compared to touring bike brakes which last much longer than these types of brakes do.
BMX bikes are smaller than touring bikes and have less suspension. Touring bikes usually come with a front and rear suspension to make them more comfortable to ride on uneven terrain. It’s generally accepted that touring bike tyres are wider than BMX bike tyres. However BMX tyres are chunkier and designed to take a beating.
What is a Kickstand?
A kickstand is a device that is attached to the bicycle frame or to the rear wheel fork that stops it from tipping over when parked. It helps keep the bike upright when parked. It does this by propping up against the ground to support some of the bike’s weight; this makes it easier for riders to step off of their bike without too much work.
Why do I need a kickstand on my BMX Bike?
Kickstands help riders get on and off easily, like kick stands on a motorcycle or scooter. They also make it easier to push the bike around while it is parked. With a kickstand, you can leave your bike standing upright wherever you want without having to lean it against anything or constantly pick it up and put it down each time you want to get on or off.
A kickstand is a small device that can be attached to the frame of a bike and allows it to stand by itself. When the bike is not in use, it can be propped up with the kickstand. The biker does not need to bend down to hold the bike upright as they would if it were resting on its own tyres.
The main reason for having a kickstand on your BMX bike is convenience and safety. When you’re done riding, you can prop your bike up safely and securely without having to bend over or put anything down. It also prevents your bike from tipping over when you leave it stationary for some time. Whether you get a kick stand with your bike or an aftermarket one from your local bike shop. They are well worth considering.
Different Types of BMX Bike Kickstands
- An adjustable kickstand is a type of kickstand that lets you adjust its height to suit your needs.
- An upright kickstand is a type of kickstand that rotates the bike in an upright position, usually for storage or when parking.
- A free standing kickstand is a type of stand propping up the bike by locking one of the wheels and propping it up with the frame and rear wheel off the ground.
How can I Attach a Kickstand to My Bike?
Bikes are a great form of transportation for commuting to work, but what happens when you need to stop? Some bikes have a built-in kickstand, while others require an external kit.
Many aftermarket kickstands will come with detailed instructions on how to connect the stand to your bikes frame. It’s important that you follow the instructions provided. Otherwise you risk the kickstand not being able to take the extra weight of the bike when utilised. Take a look online or at your local bike shop.
Reasons to Remove Kickstands from Bikes
Kickstands are a necessary part of a bike, but they can be a hindrance at times. Here are some benefits to removing kickstands from BMX bikes.
It’s much easier to maintain your balance when you remove the kickstand from your bike. If you’re on a bmx bike without a kickstand, you will always have more control over the bike than if you had one. This is due to the weight of most kickstands only being on one side of the bike.
Benefits of Keeping Kickstands on Bikes
Keeping the bike upright is the most important thing to do when it comes to biking. A kickstand keeps the bike upright, which means that it won’t tip over or get any scratches on its frame.
A kickstand is made of metal and usually has two legs, one on either side of the bike. When you are putting your bike up, you will want to place it on a flat surface. Then place one leg of the kickstand in front of your tire and then push down with your foot until your second leg is solidly on the ground behind the back wheel of the bike.
Some of the alternatives to kickstands
If you’re not necessarily looking for a way to keep your bike upright while out and about. Instead you’re looking for a good way to store the BMX bike upright when you’re home. There are a few alternatives out there for you including wall mounting hooks, free hanging bike racks for your garage or shed ceiling and floor stands for BMX bikes.
Wall Mounting Hooks. These can be found at most hardware stores or online retailers like Amazon. They come in different sizes so make sure that one will fit on the back of your bike before purchasing it. The best thing about these is they don’t require any tools to install them. You just need some screws and maybe even an extra set if you want to mount two bikes together.
Free Hanging Bike Racks. This option works great if you live somewhere where space isn’t really an issue but still want to hang up your bike. If this is the case then you’ll probably want to look into getting something from a local bike shop as opposed to buying one off the internet. Most shops should offer either a free standing rack or a wall mounted version. Either way you won’t find anything cheaper than what’s offered by a reputable retailer.
Floor Stands. Floor stands work well because they allow you to easily move around your house without having to worry about tripping over things. However, they aren’t always ideal since they usually take up quite a bit of room which could cause problems with other items in your living area. Still though, if you’ve got enough space available then this might be worth considering.