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Two of the most heart-warming images of this year’s Tokyo Games came from the BMX arenas. From the racetrack we had Kye Whyte scooping up Beth Shriever as she collapsed with joy and exhaustion seconds after a dominant gold-medal performance, while over in the gigantic bike-park, Charlotte Worthington’s celebration with freestyle icon Jamie Bestwick sums up perfectly what it means to these young riders to win the biggest events on the biggest stage.
BMX is on a roll right now. British BMX race clubs are reporting far higher participation levels from newbies and enthusiasts alike, while the growing number of pump-tracks, trails spots and concrete skateparks are providing more venues for new riders than ever before. Age is no longer a restriction – ‘veteran’ age groups at race events are stacked, and over-40s freestyle sessions at skateparks have never been busier. BMX isn’t just for kids any more.
While some die-hard riders are querying how and why these previous underground passions became legitimate sports complete with athletes and coaches, there is no doubt that the knock-on effects of the Olympics will be hugely positive for the BMX scene, whether you like it or not. BMX still has core, underground DIY roots beloved by many, and it now also has a global platform.
So, you’ve seen the TV highlights, checked out the local skatepark or racetrack, followed a few riders on Instagram and are inspired to go riding, or perhaps you want to dust off the cobwebs and re-live your BMX days. You’ll need a bike, and some kit – one of the beauties of BMX is that it’s so accessible, so easy to get started, and, compared to say breaking into competitive rowing, so affordable. As the following bike-checks will show here, with just a few-hundred quid on the right bike and kit, and you too could be sharing a riding session with a World Champion. Let’s do this.
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BMX freestyle bikes
Back in the early 80s a young frizzy-haired SoCal dude named Bob Haro started doing ground-breaking tricks on his BMX race bike and invented a whole new sport: BMX freestyle. His company pioneered a whole range of products including the very first BMX freestyle bike and this year’s all-new Midway from Haro Bikes is a direct descendant. Modern freestyle bikes have come on a very long way in terms of how they ride and how they feel, and Haro have all but perfected the art – contemporary bikes are so easy to ride, and this is a great place to start. This Midway has everything you need for the streets, the skatepark, anywhere in fact – also note that this particular bike comes with what’s called a Freecoaster, a special rear hub that works like a clutch so when rolling backwards, your pedals stay level, opening up a whole plethora of ‘fakie’ street moves. Haro has put decades of experience into this bike, and it shows.
$530 | Haro Bikes | Dan's Comp
Southsea Skatepark’s finest local Declan Brooks made history when he scored a podium place in Tokyo cementing just how successful the UK BMX scene is, with one of the most powerful runs in the Games. Declan rides hard and fast, and needs a dependable bike underneath him – UK-based brand Mafia Bikes have supported Declan for some time now, and their affordable entry-level bikes can be seen at every skatepark and riding spot in the land. Mafia Bikes are stepping up the quality of their higher-priced complete bikes to back up their contest aspirations, but to kick off proceedings their Kush 2 remains an extremely popular first-time BMX bike. Just £349 buys you a simple build, with all the right boxes ticked, and the knowledge that you’re riding a bike that helped Declan dream big.
£349 | Amazon | Mafia Bike
The Australians also know a thing or two about freestyle BMX, so if the mind-boggling tricks from the likes of Logan Martin have inspired your new path to BMX, then it’s time to check out what Ozzie brands such as Colony or its more affordable sibling, Academy, have to offer. Academy is the best place to get started here, with bikes that are built right, look the part, and priced well – it’s a more considered choice, that’s for sure. The design of the new Trooper is right on the money, the attention to detail is a step above, and the parts package on this particular model will mean you’ll be up and running in no time. Go wild with the neon green version, or mild with the all-black option. Either way, Academy will have you all set and ready to fufanu the backrail on the local spine ramp for right around £349, all in. Try getting into dressage for less money than that.
£380 | Crucial | Alan's BMX
BMX race bikes
Few sports have such an easy gateway into the Olympic big time as BMX racing. However, if the supercross-style UCI World Cup level tracks as seen on TV seem a little off-putting, stratospherically fast and simply ginormous, fear not – your local BMX track will be more appropriately scaled, have an enthusiastic and all-encompassing club, practice sessions in the evenings for all levels of rider, and local races to whet your new-found appetite for bicycle motocross. Race bikes also come in a few sizes, for everyone from age 4 upwards to 74 – so check out a BMX shop for the best advice, and with the right model under your feet, you’ll be off. Jet is a UK-based bike brand with great bikes at the right prices, and their Accelerator model features a lightweight aluminium frame, go-faster parts build, and they come in several sizes from Mini to Expert to Pro XL, all for right around £339 a piece.
£340 | SourceBMX
From your local tracks right up to the World Championship level, BMX racing is mainly done on 20-inch wheel bikes, and that’s where you’ll see Kye Whyte, Beth Shriever and co banging elbows. However, for some people – specifically, the older, perhaps more generously-boned rider – the cruiser bike could be the more sensible choice. With its larger 24-inch wheels, the cruiser feels more stable, more sure-footed, and simply safer than the regular BMX race bike. Don’t get me wrong, these bikes are fast and the racing remains hotter than a two-dollar pistol, but for some the cruiser bike is the better option – they’re also a great bike for all the pump-tracks that are popping up all over the place. Hailing from Germany, Radio Bikes continue the push the envelope when it comes to technology and development, and the bikes they build are dependable winners – £719 secures you the high-spec cruiser version of the Xenon model range, which also comes in the more commonplace 20-inch sizes from Mini through Expert to super-long Pro XXL.
£720 | SourceBMX
Throughout the 80s and 90s, racing was dominated by a handful of BMX companies with big budgets and factory teams – a few of these original brands ventured off into making mountain bikes, which led to the rise of hardcore race brands launched by successful ex-pro BMX racers. Take Chase Bikes for example, launched in 2011 and now one of the most sought-after bike brands in BMX racing. Chase is serious about its products and if you line up on the start gate on one of these bikes, people will know you’re here for a fast time, not just a good time. With a low-slung aluminium frame, race-honed geometry and a lightweight components package, Chase’s Edge bike is ready for podiums anywhere in the world – and yet, the cost is just right around £539. A choice of eight sizes is available, so your best bet would be to speak to a BMX dealer to discover the right one for you – some BMX shop websites also have easy-to-use size guides, so check those out as well.
£540 | Crucial | Chase Bicycles
All the gear, with some idea
Face facts here, BMX can put you on your backside in a pretty short space of time. Either over the back of a berm on a racetrack or hanging up sprocket at the skatepark, BMX can serve you up a few injuries when you go down in a tangle of legs and chrome. You’ll need some safety kit.
For starters, at the racetrack it’s best to at least have your limbs covered (jeans, long-sleeves) and then a decent full-face helmet and gloves are a must. Thankfully, the pricetag for protecting your priceless brain is less than eighty quid – look into the Default helmet by Fly, featuring a lightweight and tough poly-shell, super-comfortable fit and graphics that look the business, and at £79 complete, this could be your best investment ever.
Gloves-wise, look for a slim fit, lycra and clarino construction, and a quick Velcro wrist wrap – just about the best gloves on the scene are the Tricolour gloves (£25) from UK-based Stay Strong, a brand which is BMX through-and-through and supports team riders worldwide.
If you’re hitting the skatepark, then a skate-style helmet is the best option here – light, tough, comfortable, and not only available from the same BMX retailer you probably just bought your new bike from, but also available in skate shops or commercial skateparks (some skateparks insist you wear them as well, for good reason). TSG are just about the gold standard in this area – their Evolution helmet (from £38) is an injection molded hardshell with soft-lining, proportionally perfect, which comes in a range of colours. Fit and forget – I personally wouldn’t drop in on a ramp without one.
Also, don’t rock up at the park in a pair of fancy running shoes – you’ll also need some good skate-type shoes with flat soles, decent support, and good grip – look for Vans or Etnies, shoe brands that constantly put back into the scene by way of sponsoring BMX events, facilities and riders. Even better, when the likes of Etnies collab with UK BMX crew Doomed to create some of the best riding shoes to date – Etnies Doomed Jameson Vulcs (£55).
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
