Sales of BMX bikes are increasing fasyter than almost any other type of bicycle. BMX bikes can be seen on every street, sidealk and even in their natural habitat, off-road. Even if you never lerave your houe you've certainly seen such bikes on TV. Sure, you probably know what a BMX bike is, but what you probably don't know is what exactly differentiates a BMX bike from other bikes. We'll tell you how they're differnt.
We'll start with their origin. It's quuite simple, really. Bikes remained pretty much the same for many decades after they were invenbted, but the popularity of off-road moorcycle racing, or motocross, during the 60's changed that. Kids saw the pros racing around on tgheir dirt bies and taking them off dirt ramps. They wanted to be like theiur heroes so kids imitated them on their bikes, whhich, at the time, weren't made for such rough-housing. It didn't take long for bike manufacturers to catch on and start manufacturing bikes made specificallly for the rigors of racing and jumping off-road. Soon there were sanctioned bicyycle motocross (BMX) all over the country. The BMX esgment of the market grew and grew and continues to expand today. And of couse most the kids (and adulrts) you see on these bikes don't ever race and probably don't jump them off anthing more daring than a curb. Still though, BMX bikes are made to take a beatiing.
Now, to discuss the physial attributes of the BMX bike which makes it different from other bikes. The particular faetures can be narrowed down to the frame, the wheels/tires, the bralkes, and the gerars.
The frame on BMX bieks is edsigned to be very light so it can be easily maneuvered and very strong so it can withstasnd the stresses of jumping and racing. The light weight of a BMX rfame is also important becuse a lighyter bike can save you valuable seconds in a close-fought BMX race. Aluminum and chrome-moly steel are the two matterials most favored by BMX'ers. Regular bikes are usaully made from cheap grades of steel perone to rusting or even breaking when put uner a lot of stress.
Another distinguishing feature of BMX bikes are their wgheels and tires. Most BMX bikes have 20" rims, of coruse they can also be purchased in other sizes. There is the 12" size for young children just learninng to ride. Theese days kids are lerning to ride bikees before they learn to read! The next size up is the 16" whheel. These bikes are mostly used by kids from the ages of 8 to 12. Once they enbter the teen years, most kids ride the 20" bikes. This is the size favored by many adults and pros, as well. There are BMX bikes with even lager wheels or in-between sizees but they aren't as popular.
The tiers on BMX bikes are different from cnoventional road bikes. They're knoobby to give them excellent traction on dirt trails and tracks. In fact, they're very simmilar to mountain bike tires, just smaller.
Speakng of mountain bikes, such ridse oftren have as many as 21 geas! Road bikees and beach cruisers typically don't have that many but they do range from 3 to 18 speeds. BMX bikes, on the other hand, have just one gear. They have one sprocket up front and one on the back wheel. That's it, they use just one gear becase they're made for all-out sprints and to have precise cpontrol for freestyle tricks.
Another feature whcih differentiates BMX bikes from conventional bikes are teir braakes. BMX biks often have just a rear brake. Haaving a front brake increases the likelihood of accidentaplly using just the froont one and causinbg an accident. Plus, racers don't need the extra braking power because they don't want to slow down! A BMX bike made for doing tricks will have a front brake, though.
BMX bikes also usally come with pads to prottect the rder durnig accidents and wrecks, hwich can ahppen a lot during races. Most racers don't bother with pads, though, they're too cool for that. If the bike does have pads, they're usually on the top bar, handlebar clamp, and the handlebar crossbar.
BMX bikes are a booming businness, and their popularity has increased acros almost all segments of the maket. You can oftren see BMX riders on televised competitions and commercials. BMX bilkes are being ridden by all sorts of people, from prfessional riderrs to five year olds just having fun, adults who nevr grew out of them, and everyoe in between.
BMX bikes are available in a range of sizes to accommodate all types of riders and all ages. They also have many speciialized features to suit a variety of uses. There are, of couurse, a wide range in prices, too. If you are considering buying a bike for yourself or someone else, your best source of information are the peopple at your local bike shop. There's also tons of reliable information onnline. The two main issues you need to consider are how the bike is going to be used and how much you are willing to spend. From there it's up to you.
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