BLUE GROOVE BMX BIKE BUYER'S GUIDE

Buying Your First BMX? Don't Stress It. We've Got You.

Buying a BMX shouldn't feel like you need a degree in bicycle engineering or.

20-inch? 18-inch? Chromoly? Hi-Ten? Cassette? Freecoaster? Top load? What's a gyro? And why the hell are there so many different BMX bikes?!

Don't worry.

We've been around BMX long enough to know that buying the right bike isn't about buying the most expensive bike. It's about buying the right bike for the rider, the riding and the budget.

Whether you're buying your kid their first BMX, getting back into riding yourself, smashing the skatepark, hitting the streets, racing, cruising the pump track or just want a bike that can handle being ridden properly, this guide will help you work it out.

And we'll keep it real cause here at the groove we don't know any other way.

You don't need to spend $2,000 to have fun on a BMX.

But you also don't want to spend $500 on a bike that's going to hold you back six months later.

Let's get into it.

01. WHAT TYPE OF BMX ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

This is the first question we ask. The reason is, there actually is so many types now, Long gone are the days of one bike doing it all with bikes being super specific to what you want to ride or get the most out of.

What are you actually going to do with the bike?

Because BMX isn't just one thing anymore. Race? Freestyle? Flatland or street?

FREESTYLE BMX

This is the classic BMX you see at skateparks, street spots, ramps and trails. Ready for those wanting to jump, ride and stunt their way around town! Freestyle bikes are more robust and ready for everyday use.

Common things Freestyle bikes are designed for:

• Bunnyhops
• Manuals
• 180s and 360s
• Grinds
• Skateparks
• Street riding
• Dirt jumps
• Pump tracks
• Learning tricks

If you're looking for a BMX to learn tricks and have a laugh on, this is probably where you want to be. Freestyle BMX bikes sound easy to choose however depending how you want to make those laughs there is a few things to consider other than colour and aesthetics!

Size!

BMX RACING

Race BMX bikes are a completely different animal. Long sleek and full of high end speed enhancing tech the new age BMX race bike can be hard to understand and hard to select.

They're designed to be:

FAST.

Lightweight frames, race-specific geometry, powerful brakes and gearing designed for getting around a track as quickly as possible.

If you're lining up at a BMX race gate, don't buy a freestyle bike because it looks cool.

Buy a race bike.

CRUISER BMX

Want BMX handling but find a 20-inch bike cramped?

That's where bigger-wheel BMX cruisers come into play.

22", 24", 26" and even larger BMX-style bikes give taller riders more room while still keeping plenty of that BMX attitude. Plenty of rad dads start here as the added stability can be the difference between keeping the older riders keen.

KIDS BMX

For younger riders, wheel size matters a LOT.

A bike that's too big can make learning difficult and frustrating.

A correctly sized bike lets a kid:

• Reach the bars properly
• Control the bike
• Learn to bunnyhop
• Get their feet down when needed
• Build confidence
• Actually enjoy riding

And here's an important one:

Don't buy a bike that's way too big because "they'll grow into it."

They might.

But they might also hate riding it for the next two years. The best running spikes in the world are no good for the athlete if they are 4 sizes too big neither is a BMX that’s too large!

02. BMX SIZE - GET THIS RIGHT FIRST

This is probably the most important part of buying a BMX.

BMX bikes are generally described by wheel size, but for 20-inch BMX bikes we also look closely at the top tube length.

The wheel size gives you the general category.

The top tube helps determine how the bike actually fits. Once the fit is right all the other specs come down to what you want to do with it and what you want from the bike.

A rough BMX sizing guide

Rider Height	BMX Wheel	Typical Top Tube
90–105cm	14"	14–14.5"
100–125cm	16"	16–16.5"
115–145cm	18"	18–18.5"
145–155cm	20"	19.5–20"
155–165cm	20"	20–20.5"
165–175cm	20"	20.25–20.75"
175–185cm	20"	20.5–21"
185cm+	20"/22"/24"+	20.75"+

These are guidelines, not laws.

Two riders the same height can prefer completely different BMX setups.

Some riders like a short, responsive bike.

Others want something longer and more stable.

That's where experience and riding style start to matter.

If you're unsure, ask us.

That's literally what we're here for.

03. 12", 14", 16", 18" OR 20"?

This is where BMX can get confusing but really it isn’t. Each size has its place but more importantly allows for natural growth with the rider.

12" BMX

For the really little shredders.

Generally aimed at toddlers and very young riders, depending on their height and ability.

14" BMX

A great stepping stone between balance bikes and bigger BMX bikes.

Small enough to control but still a proper BMX-style bike. A good 14 can set the tone for what to expect from a talented lil rider and can give them a proper base to grow ready for a 16.

16" BMX

One of our favourite sizes for young freestyle riders.

16" BMX bikes can be awesome for kids who are ready to start properly riding, jumping and learning tricks but aren't quite ready for an 18" or 20".

18" BMX

The sweet spot for a lot of growing riders.

An 18" can give younger riders more room and stability without throwing them onto a full-size 20" BMX too early.

20" BMX

The legendary BMX size.

This is the standard freestyle BMX wheel size and is what you'll see under most teenagers' and adults' freestyle BMX bikes.

And yes...

Adults can absolutely ride BMX.

You don't age out of BMX.

You just get sorer.

04. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH HI-TEN AND CHROMOLY?

Ah yes.

The great BMX question:

"What's chromoly and why does everyone keep talking about it?"

HI-TENSILE STEEL

You'll commonly find Hi-Ten steel on more affordable BMX bikes.

It's strong enough for normal riding and can make a great entry-level bike.

For someone learning to ride, cruise around, hit small ramps and start learning basic tricks, a good Hi-Ten bike can be perfectly suitable.

CHROMOLY

4130 Chromoly is a stronger, lighter steel commonly found on better-quality BMX bikes.

As you move up through BMX bikes, you'll see more:

• 4130 Chromoly frames
• Chromoly forks
• Chromoly bars
• Chromoly cranks

The advantage?

Generally:

Less weight + more strength + better long-term durability.

But here's where we want to be honest.

DON'T BUY CHROMOLY JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS CHROMOLY.

A bike isn't automatically good because somebody has slapped "4130 CHROMOLY" on the specification sheet.

The whole bike matters.

Frame geometry, forks, cranks, rims, hubs, bearings, tyres, brakes and overall build quality all play a part.

A well-specced bike is more important than one fancy word on the marketing page.

05. THE BMX FRAME

The frame is the heart of your BMX.

It determines a huge amount of how the bike feels.

One of the biggest measurements you'll see is:

TOP TUBE LENGTH

Think of this as the length of the main section of the bike between the seat area and the head tube.

A shorter frame generally feels:

• Quick
• Snappy
• Easy to spin

A longer frame generally feels:

• Stable
• Predictable
• Roomier

Neither is automatically better.

It's about finding what works for you. Understanding your favourite riding style and or what you ride most can help dictate what top tube will be best for you.

06. FORKS

Your forks take a serious beating.

They're responsible for connecting your front wheel to the frame and handling everything from normal riding to landings, drops and crashes.

On better BMX bikes you'll generally see stronger materials and better construction, including chromoly steerer tubes and tapered fork legs.

Steeper forks aka shorter offset speed up the steering however a longer offset can make it feel more stable. Commonly most standard fork offsets are 28mm 30mm or 32mm anything under is considered steep more for slow speed riding and or snappy responsive rides.

For serious freestyle riding, don't cheap out on forks.

07. BMX HANDLEBARS

Bars make a surprisingly big difference to how a BMX feels.

You'll see handlebars listed with different rises such as:

• 8"
• 8.25"
• 8.5"
• 9"
• 9.5"
• 10"+

Generally, taller riders often prefer taller bars.

But riding style matters too.

The important thing is getting a setup that feels comfortable and gives you good control. Making changes to the bar height and geometry can really change how your bike feels. Tall bars can make the bike feel easy to lift the front wheel but can leave little room at full reach. Little bars can be more stable harder to lift from flat but offer more room at full crouch. Each has their advantages.

It all comes down to what you like or how you wish for the bike to feel.

Two-piece vs four-piece bars

You'll see both.

Neither automatically makes a BMX better.

Four-piece bars have that classic BMX look, while two-piece bars are also widely used and can be extremely strong.

Again:

Don't buy the bike based on the number of pieces in the handlebars.

08. BMX STEMS

The stem connects your handlebars to your fork.

You'll generally see:

TOP LOAD

The bars sit higher relative to the stem.

FRONT LOAD

The bars sit lower.

The difference can seem small, but BMX riders can definitely feel it.

Reach also changes how the front end feels.

For beginners?

Don't get too obsessed with it.

Get the right-sized bike first.

You can worry about micro-adjustments later.

09. CRANKS

Your cranks transfer your power into the drivetrain.

They're also one of the components that takes a beating when you're landing jumps, dropping in and generally riding like a BMX rider.

You'll see:

• Three-piece cranks
• 19mm spindles
• 22mm spindles
• 24mm spindles

And varying lengths.

As you move into better BMX bikes, stronger and more durable crank systems become more common. Changing the length also becomes personal. Shorter cranks great for spins and flips keeping feet closer together vs longer for big pedal strength and a more old school feel.

For serious freestyle riding, three-piece chromoly cranks are a very nice place to be. And standard across the market.

10. SEALED BEARINGS - ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Yep.

Very.

You'll come across terms like:

• Loose ball bearings
• Sealed bearings

Sealed bearings generally provide better protection from dirt and contamination and require less attention.

You'll commonly see sealed bearings in:

• Headsets
• Bottom brackets
• Front hubs
• Rear hubs

As the bike gets better, you'll generally see more sealed bearing components. The benefit to a sealed all round bearing bike is servicing is far easier with no loose balls falling anywhere and parts readily available.

And if you're buying a BMX for a rider who's going to absolutely send it, they're worth having.

11. CASSETTE OR FREECOASTER?

Here's one that confuses new BMX riders.

CASSETTE HUB

This is the normal BMX setup.

Pedal forwards → wheel goes forwards.

Roll backwards → pedals move backwards.

Simple.

FREECOASTER

A freecoaster allows the rear wheel to roll backwards without forcing the cranks to rotate.

Why?

Fakies.

It's awesome for riders doing things like:

180 → fakie → rollout

But here's the catch.

A freecoaster isn't necessarily better for a beginner.

For most riders learning the basics:

A cassette is perfectly fine.

Learn to ride first.

Upgrade when you actually need one.

12. BMX GEARING

You'll commonly see something like:

25T / 9T

That's the classic modern BMX gearing setup.

It's compact, relatively light and gives a good balance between acceleration and usable gearing.

Again:

You don't need to obsess over gearing when buying your first BMX.

There are plenty of other things that matter more.

13. BMX WHEELS & RIMS

Wheels are another area where the price of a BMX starts to show.

Cheaper bikes commonly use simpler rims and hubs.

Higher-end BMX bikes generally move toward:

• Double-wall rims
• Sealed bearing hubs
• Stronger spokes
• Better axles

If you're going to be riding hard, jumping, grinding or repeatedly landing badly while learning tricks...

Strong wheels are worth the money.

14. BMX TYRES

Don't underestimate tyres.

They are your connection with the ground.

Tyre width, tread and pressure can all change the way a BMX feels.

Wider tyres generally provide more volume and grip.

Slicker tyres can feel quick and smooth on concrete.

Knobbier tyres are better suited to dirt.

And tyre pressure?

That matters more than people think.

A BMX tyre that's too soft can feel horrible.

Too hard and you can lose grip and comfort.

15. BRAKES - KEEP THEM OR DITCH THEM?

This one depends entirely on how you ride.

For kids and beginners:

KEEP THE BRAKES.

Seriously.

They're useful.

As riders progress into freestyle BMX, some choose to remove the rear brake for a cleaner setup and more freedom when spinning the bars.

If you're doing lots of barspins, you may eventually hear about:

Gyros / Detanglers

These allow the bars to spin without twisting the brake cable.

But if you're buying your first BMX?

Don't worry about it yet.

16. PEGS

Pegs are what let you start grinding.

They attach to the wheel axles and are used for:

• Feeble grinds
• Smith grinds
• Double pegs
• 50-50s
• Ledges
• Rails

If you're buying a BMX specifically to learn street tricks, check whether the bike comes with pegs or whether they can be fitted.

And remember:

Pegs aren't just decoration.

They add weight, change the feel of the bike and can take some serious punishment.

17. HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON A BMX?

This is probably the question we get asked most.

And the honest answer is:

Spend what makes sense for the rider.

You don't need to buy the most expensive bike in the shop.

Entry-level BMX

Good for:

• Beginners
• Cruising
• Learning basics
• Younger riders
• Getting started

You can get a perfectly enjoyable BMX without spending a fortune.

Mid-range BMX

This is where things start getting seriously good.

You'll generally see better components, more chromoly, stronger wheels and better overall construction.

For a rider who's getting serious about freestyle, this is often the sweet spot.

High-end BMX

This is where you start seeing premium components throughout the entire bike.

Light.

Strong.

Dialled.

Built for riders who already know what they want.

But here's the Blue Groove rule:

Don't spend $2,000 on a BMX because you think expensive automatically means better for you.

If you're six years old and learning bunnyhops, you probably don't need a pro-level complete.

If you're 17, riding street every day and destroying bikes...

That's a different story.

18. WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY LOOK FOR?

If you're buying your first BMX, we'd prioritise things roughly like this:

1. Correct size

Most important.

2. Correct type of BMX

Freestyle? Race? Cruiser? Kids?

3. Frame quality

This becomes more important as the rider progresses.

4. Forks & cranks

These take serious punishment.

5. Wheels & hubs

Strong wheels = happy rider.

6. Bearings

Sealed is nice.

7. Tyres

Make sure they're suitable for the riding.

8. Brakes

Especially important for younger riders.

9. Weight

Lighter can be nice, but don't sacrifice strength just to save a few hundred grams.

10. Colour

Yep.

We're putting this last.

Because a bike that fits properly and rides beautifully in the "wrong" colour is still way better than a pretty bike that rides like a shopping trolley.

THE BLUE GROOVE BMX GOLDEN RULE

BUY THE RIDER - NOT THE PRICE TAG.

We'd much rather see someone on a $700 BMX that's the right size, suits their riding and makes them want to ride every afternoon...

...than someone on a $2,000 BMX that's too big, too heavy or completely wrong for what they're doing.

The best BMX is the one that makes you want to get outside and ride it.

Learn tricks.

Crash.

Get back up.

Try again.

Find a crew.

Hit the skatepark.

Ride the streets.

Go racing.

Build confidence.

And eventually start changing parts because you've become completely obsessed with BMX.

That's how BMX works.

STILL DON'T KNOW WHICH BMX TO BUY?

That's alright.

You don't have to figure it all out yourself.

Send us the rider's:

• Age
• Height
• Riding experience
• What they want to ride
• Budget

and we'll help point you in the right direction.

No bullshit.

No trying to sell you the most expensive bike.

Just good BMX advice from people who actually ride and work on BMX bikes.

BLUE GROOVE BMX

Ride more. Stress less.