Otherwise known as bicycle motocross, BMX bikes have been used for quite some time in races and stunts which started in the early 1970s.

There are a number of organizations formed to support this fast growing sport. The first was the National Bicycle League in 1974 by George Esser, next in 1977 was the American Bicycle Association and in 1981, the International BMX Federation where they held the very first BMX world championship in 1982. It was just in 2008 where BMX was included in the Summer Olympic Games which took place in Beijing, China. The two who won the first gold medals came from Latvia, Maris Strombergs for the male division and Anne-Caroline Chausson from France for the female division.

BMX bikes can be used for sports, others used them for fun like normal bicycles. If one invests this interest in sports, BMX bikes can be pricey. BMX bikes may cost from a mere $150 to as excessive as more than $3000. Companies such as Schwimm, GT, Haro and YAMAHA have also been manufacturing BMX bikes.

BMX bikes may look similar to normal bikes but if you look closely they do differ. Their built are smaller however they have bigger wheels. These bigger wheels make it good for the riders to race in dirt tracts where there are a lot of bumps and tough roads. Other riders request for specially designed BMX bikes to sustain and maintain their need for their bikes, be it on the road or riding the bike for showing off some stunts.

When showing of stunts, BMX bike riders usually follow what the skateboarders do except they are using these much bigger units compared to the skateboards. BMX bikes are much harder to control since they are heavier as to the skateboards. Practice is a huge part so that there are stunts are delivered perfectly. Others are even getting paid to this. Some compete where they earn recognition in different sectors. For the more professional, they get to hop from cities to cities, to other countries to display their talents.

Haro created the first BMX bikes specially designed for stunts or popularly known as freestyle riding. These made the riders the capacity to maneuver them so as to perform different and numerous stunts ranging from the simplest to the more complex. Freestyle riders more often than not learned their tricks from watching skateboarders. Some of their tricks can also be performed on the air and on ground.

The rush and the excitement are just part of riding the BMX bikes in races and in freestyle riding. BMX bike riding can be dangerous as well that is why one must be fully geared in joining this type of sport.

Things to consider: Who will be riding the BMX bicycle? How long will Junior ride this BMX bike before he graduates to a mountain bike, or loses interest altogether and picks up a skateboard? How important is a brand name?

Even with more expensive BMX bicycles, the price can be inflated for a fashionable bike or one that’s endorsed by a popular pro rider, even though it may not offer any better features or construction than a cheaper model. There’s much less differentiation of quality among brands than advertising and certain salespeople would have you believe. This is particularly true of less-expensive BMX bikes, many of which are made in the same factories overseas and then painted with different companies’ logos. So, much of the purchasing decision will come down to you or your child’s riding preference, his or her need to follow fashion, and of course, the amount you are willing to spend on a bike.

Features to look out for: They usually feature 36-spoke wheels and should come equipped with knobby tires for better traction. On a dirt.racing BMX bicycles usually require only single, rear wheel brakes. Depending on the type of BMX riding you’re interested in, BMX racing bikes need to be lightweight as well as rugged.

Freestyle BMX bikes, on the other hand, are ridden on the street so you’ll want smooth tires and 48-spoke wheels for increased strength. The handlebars should be able to spin 360 degrees and the frame should have 2 or 4 axle pegs for supporting the rider while he or she performs freestyle tricks. A freestyle BMX bicycle should have brakes on the front wheel as well as the rear, along with special stunt components such as cable detanglers so the cables don’t break or become knotted when you spin the handlebars in mid-air.

Like a racing BMX bicycle, a dirt jumping bike will only need a single, rear wheel brake. These bikes usually feature heavier duty frames and axles as well, with reinforced gussets in order to withstand the heavy landings from huge air jumps. BMX dirt-jumping bikes also need 48-spoke wheels, but with knobby rather than smooth tires, again for maintaining a good grip on dirt-jumping mounds.

Possible Extra Kit Young kids and beginners should only ride within their skill and experience levels. Any rider will need elbow and knee pads in addition to a safety helmet, especially those involved in freestyle riding and dirt jumping. It’s worth telling your kids that tricks and stunts performed on telly are by undertaken by skilled pro riders with years of experience.

The Size does it matter? As your childs riding style changes or they grow, you might need to buy a longer seat post or adjust the handle bars to accommodate those changes. Unless you are shopping for a very young child, there are usually only minor variations in the size of a BMX bicycle frame. Variations that reflect the riding style of a rider rather than they body size.

The Department Store or Local It is of consideration that buying a BMX bicycle from a department store rather than a specialist bike shop may not provide you with the follow-up replacement parts you may need in the future. A local bicycle shop will likely not only offer the most helpful & friendly advice during buying, but after you’ve made your purchase, they’ll also be there with mechanical support as well. A bigger selection will mean better choices, better deals, and sales people who are also riders of BMX bikes themselves.

Some money saving advice As with other types of bikes, getting the best deal when purchasing a BMX bicycle is not just about knowing how to shop, but also when to shop. If you can wait until autumn or winter when sales dip you are more likely to pick up a bargain deal from a shop that is eager to sell the older model BMX bicycles to make way for the next year’s model. BMX bicycle prices can vary throughout the year, with the most popular time to buy a new BMX bike being the spring or summer.

Andrew Histon has been messing about with Pink BMX Bikes since his teens. When not writing articles he is busy in the garage. You may see many of his articles around the internet.

Are you getting ready to hit the trails this summer but need your bike to perform well on the pavement also? Do you enjoy riding on trails but wouldn’t categorize yourself as an extreme mountain biker? If you are looking for the best of both worlds, its time to consider a comfort bike.

What is a comfort bike? A comfort bike is the perfect hybrid bike. It is shaped like a mountain bike and can be built to handle the terrain of light off-road biking trails. If you are going to bike on a greenway or a boardwalk, a comfort bike is for you.

Back before mountain bikes took over the bike riding scene, most casual riders rode racing or road bikes. These were the bikes referred to as 10 speeds, with gear shifts and curved handlebars. After mountain bikes were introduced most people enjoyed their thicker tires, suspension and upright handlebars. After some time, mountain bikes became more specialized and upgraded, leaving the casual biker behind. Hybrid bikes were produced to meet this need in the market.

The comfort bike, was first know as the hybrid bike, as it combined the characteristics of mountain bikes and road or racing bikes. As hybrid technologies have moved in to the mainstream, this name became confusing. Most manufacturers have moved to calling these bikes, comfort bikes. They provide more comfort than mountain and road bikes with their upright seating and spring loaded saddles. They also go much faster than the old-school comfort bike, which has come to be called the cruiser bike. Cruiser bikes typically have a basket in front and are good for very leisurely bike rides. Comfort bikes can be ridden for speed.

Bicycles can be broken up into 3 different category levels. Entry level bikes are heavier and made with steel frames. Their components will be designed for durability. These beginner bikes will be considered heavy and slow by most bikers but can work for those very new to the sport and on a super tight budget.

A mid level bike will be composed of a lighter aluminum frame and better quality components. Most comfort bikes, city bikes and commuter bikes will fall into this category of bike. These bikes are perfect for most bike riders. They will provide the durability needed to make the bike a value and the performance needed so that the bike is fun to ride. They are made to last and to provide lightweight agility.

High end bicycles are produced more for performance than for durability. The components are expensive and will require proper maintenance and care. A high end bicycle can cost upwards of five thousand dollars. The frames are made to perform and are usually built with carbon fiber or titanium. These bikes are made to win races and climb mountains. Most bikers will not ever need a bike of this caliber.

So why buy a comfort bike? Simply put a comfort bike is the perfect balance between a high end, expensive mountain bike and a racing bike. If you want the flexibility of speed on the streets and suspension for the trails, a comfort bike is the way to go. You will get the comfort of spring loaded seats, front suspension and upright handlebars along with the performance of a light frame, good components, multiple speeds and medium size tires. A quality comfort bike will last forever and be a joy to ride. Enjoy!