The four main types of BMX
Race BMX bikes are built for BMX racing, sprinting from a start gate over jumps and berms on a purpose-built track. Lightweight aluminium or carbon frames, high gearing, narrow slick tyres, and often clipless pedals. Sizes run from Mini and Junior for young children up to Pro and Pro XL for adult racers. British Cycling runs a regional league structure, and BMX racing is an Olympic sport.
Freestyle BMX bikes are built for jumps, grinds, and tricks. Heavier frames, lower gearing, pegs for grinding on, and fat tyres with grippy tread. These are the bikes you see in skateparks. Standard size is a 20.5 to 21 inch top tube for adult riders.
Dirt jump BMX bikes sit between race and freestyle. Built for dirt tracks, table tops and big jumps. Slightly longer frames than freestyle, 24 to 26 inch wheels on some models, and suspension forks on others.
Kids BMX bikes are scaled down versions of freestyle bikes. 16, 18 or 20 inch wheels, usually steel frames, often with coaster brakes on the smaller sizes. These are the right first bike for many UK children.
Typical prices on the used market
Under a hundred and fifty pounds the used BMX market is mostly older kids bikes, first bikes that have been outgrown, and basic adult freestyle bikes that have been well used. Condition varies. Check frames carefully for cracks, particularly around the head tube and the bottom bracket.
One hundred and fifty to three hundred pounds buys well-used mid-range freestyle and kids BMX bikes. Better components, lighter frames, reasonable condition. For a child's first serious BMX, this is often the sensible starting point.
Three hundred to five hundred pounds gets you into quality freestyle bikes. Mongoose, Haro, Fit, Subrosa, Cult, Sunday and the other respected street BMX brands. Components at this price are strong enough for serious skatepark riding.
Above five hundred pounds is where race BMX and premium freestyle sits. Redline, Supercross, Chase and DK race bikes in this range are competitive at regional level. Flagship freestyle bikes from Subrosa, S&M and Fit at this price are built for pros.
Brands to know
For racing, Redline, Chase, Supercross and GT are the established names in the UK. Parts availability is strong, frames are proven, and resale values are consistent. Haro and Mongoose also produce race bikes and their older models appear on the used market regularly.
For freestyle, Subrosa, Sunday, Fit, Cult, Kink and We The People cover the street and park side. These are the brands most skatepark riders recognise. Quality on the used market depends heavily on how the bike has been ridden. A much-abused street bike can still be rideable but components will need replacing.
For kids, Mongoose, GT, Haro and the bigger chain stores' own brands cover the entry level. For a first BMX, any of these will work, provided the bike is the right size for the child. A Frog 55 or Early Rider Seeker is also worth considering at the smaller sizes.
What to check before buying
BMX bikes take more abuse than any other type. Start with the frame. Look at the head tube, the bottom bracket shell, the dropouts and the seat tube where the seatpost enters. Any cracking at these points means the frame is at the end of its life. Welds should look even and unrusted.
Check the wheels. BMX wheels take heavy impacts, and bent rims, broken spokes and worn hub bearings are common. Spin each wheel, look for wobble, and listen for any rumble or grinding.
Look at the bars, stem, seat and pedals for signs of damage. A bent bar or stem is a replacement job. Pedal threads that have stripped from years of heavy use mean a new crank as well.
The headset takes punishment on a BMX. Hold the front brake, if one is fitted, and rock the bike back and forth. Any knocking through the bars is headset play. A new headset is cheap but installing it needs a press and some skill, so factor in either a shop visit or the time to do it yourself.
UK BMX, where to ride, and practical notes
British Cycling lists every regional BMX racing club and track in the UK. If you are buying a race bike for a child or starting out yourself, contacting a local club is the best first step. Most clubs run coaching sessions for beginners.
For street and park riding, Scotland, the North East and the South West have particularly strong scenes. Most major UK cities have a skatepark with a BMX section. Campbell Park in Milton Keynes, Prissick in Middlesbrough and Rom Skatepark in London are among the most well-known for freestyle riding.
BMX bikes are popular targets for theft, particularly premium freestyle bikes. A decent D-lock is the minimum for any BMX worth more than a couple of hundred pounds. Every BMX listed on Cyclesite is checked against UK stolen-bike databases before going live.
