| The Modern BMX bikes that many of us are familiar | | | | them have 20" wheels and knobby tires to assist |
| with have come a long way from the original bicycle | | | | with traction in loose dirt compared to regular bikes |
| invention and even from the BMX bikes of the late | | | | with smooth tires and smaller wheels. As mentioned |
| 60s which were specifically for jumps and dirt racing. | | | | before the frames are also much lighter but still |
| After a while they even became desired even | | | | sturdy which also sets them apart from the heavier |
| among those not into racing. These days you see | | | | recreational bikes on the market. Another way that |
| kids riding them for everything to riding to school and | | | | BMX bikes stand out from regular bikes is that they |
| visiting friends in addition to doing tricks. | | | | only have one gear with one chain in order to do the |
| These bikes like others come in many different sizes | | | | tricks and so that they are easy to pedal backwards |
| so that a diverse range of people can enjoy them. | | | | and forwards. |
| BMX is a sport that can be started as a young child | | | | These bikes also generally do not have front brakes |
| and be continued well into adulthood. With the minis | | | | and they will have padding in place on the crossbar, |
| for kids up to the ages of six to nine, then the | | | | the straddle bar, and the gooseneck. This is to |
| expert model up to thirteen year olds, and the | | | | protect the rider during BMX competitions as does |
| professional size for that age through adult. These | | | | the sturdy construction with the stem being held in |
| are only a guide since some kids are bigger than | | | | place by 4 large bolts to keep the frame from |
| others, like my son who was over 200 lbs at 16 from | | | | coming apart when landing from a jump. |
| lifting and surfing. | | | | These bikes have been big business for 40 years and |
| Another important factor that the bikes have is their | | | | they definitely aren't showing any signs of slowing |
| lightweight construction which is crucial for jumping | | | | down at all. You may think of kids when you think |
| and racing. This is accomplished by the use of | | | | about BMX bikes but the fact is there are a lot of |
| aluminum in many cases or with another low cost | | | | adults who ride them, especially when you think |
| composite. By far the most popular metal used is | | | | about the professional BMX riders. The extreme |
| aluminum. | | | | sports shows that are shown on ESPN and other |
| One of the ways that a genuine BMX bike can be | | | | sports channels have only added to the popularity of |
| distinguished from regular bikes is that nearly all of | | | | the bikes. |