BMX Guide
How to Choose Your First BMX
Choose a complete bike with a full chromoly frame, sealed bearings and 3-piece cranks from a BMX brand, and avoid heavy department store bikes.
Updated 4 min read807 words
Choose a complete bike from a recognised BMX brand or bike shop, with a full chromoly frame, sealed bearings and 3-piece cranks. Size it by top tube length, keep the rear brake while you learn, and avoid heavy department store bikes with welded-on extras. A good entry level complete costs more than a department store bike but lasts for years and holds some resale value.
Complete bike or custom build?
A complete bike comes fully assembled with matched parts at a package price. A custom build means choosing each part yourself, which costs more and takes more knowledge.
| Complete bike | Custom build | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower for the same quality | Higher, but you choose every part |
| Setup | Rideable almost straight away | Needs tools and compatibility checks |
| Fit | Limited to the sizes offered | Exact fit possible |
| Best for | First bikes and most riders | Riders who know what they want |
If you want to build one later, read how to build a BMX bike from parts. For a first bike, a complete is almost always the right call.
What to look for
Check the spec sheet. These parts decide how strong and durable the bike is.
- Full chromoly frame, or a chromoly main triangle. Chromoly (chrome-molybdenum steel) is stronger and lighter than cheaper hi-tensile steel. Some entry level bikes use chromoly in the front triangle only, which is still a good sign. See cheap vs expensive BMX bikes.
- Sealed bearings. Look for sealed cartridge bearings in the hubs, headset and bottom bracket. Loose ball bearings work, but they need constant adjusting and wear faster.
- 3-piece cranks. These have two arms and a separate spindle. Look for chromoly arms and a 19 mm or 22 mm spindle. They are stronger than 1-piece cranks, which bend and loosen. See cranks.
- Strong wheels. Double wall aluminium rims and a rear hub with a solid axle. 36 spoke wheels are the common choice.
- A rear brake. At minimum a U brake and lever. See brakes.
- The right size. Check the top tube length against your height. See what size BMX bike do I need.
- Reasonable weight. Entry level complete bikes often sit around 12 to 14 kg. Lighter is generally better, but do not pay a large premium just for a few hundred grams.
What to avoid
- Department store bikes. Warning signs include a heavy frame, plastic pedals, 1-piece cranks, loose ball bearings everywhere and a vague brand name.
- Bikes with extras that are not BMX. Suspension forks, gears, kickstands, mudguards and chain guards add weight and break easily. They suggest the bike was designed to look like a BMX, not to be ridden like one.
- Painted or chrome "steel-looking" parts on very cheap bikes. Cheap plating hides weak metal. Parts can rust through or crack at the weld.
- Very low prices on well known frames. A bike that is far cheaper than similar bikes from the same brand may have been stripped of parts or may not be genuine.
- Used bikes with cracks, bent forks or stripped threads. Check these before buying second hand.
Budget tiers
These ranges are indicative Australian prices for new complete bikes and change with the market. Treat them as a guide, not a quote.
| Tier | Approximate price (AUD) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Department store | Under $300 | Heavy, weak steel, low quality parts. Avoid. |
| Entry level BMX | About $350 to $650 | Hi-tensile or partly chromoly frame, sealed hubs, 3-piece cranks on better models |
| Mid range | About $650 to $1,100 | Full chromoly frame, sealed bearings throughout, better wheels |
| High end | $1,100 and above | Lighter chromoly, premium cranks and hubs, more refined build |
For most beginners, entry level to mid range is the sweet spot. Spend the extra money on a better frame and wheels before anything cosmetic.
How to buy
- Decide your discipline. Street and park riders often want a shorter, stronger bike. Dirt jumping and racing riders may prefer a longer one.
- Measure yourself. Use the sizing guide to find a top tube range.
- Visit a BMX shop if you can. Ask to sit on a couple of sizes. Staff can also tell you which models suit your riding.
- Compare spec sheets. Look at the frame material, bearings and cranks first, not the colour.
- Ask about warranty and sizing exchanges. Many shops will let you swap a bike that does not fit.
- Plan a basic setup. Buy a helmet, gloves and a set of Allen keys at the same time. Read how to set up a new BMX.
Gear to buy with your bike
A helmet is the first thing to buy. Add gloves, knee pads and shoes with a flat sole. For park riding, consider a full face helmet. For more, see how to start riding BMX.
Related
Frequently asked questions about How to Choose Your First BMX
Should my first BMX be a complete bike or a custom build?
A complete bike is the better choice for most first-time riders. It is cheaper than buying the same parts one by one, and it arrives matched and ready to ride. Build a custom bike once you know what you want to change.
Is a department store BMX good enough to start on?
Usually not. They tend to be heavy, use weak steel and unsealed bearings, and often have parts that fail under normal riding. A BMX shop bike costs a little more and lasts far longer.
Do I need a brake on my first BMX?
Yes, keep a rear brake while you learn. You can remove it later if you decide to ride brakeless.
Shop at LUXBMX
Popular picks for this article from LUXBMX, an Australian BMX store.
Raven Trickster 20 Inch BikeView the Raven Trickster 20 Inch Bike at LUXBMX
Wethepeople Nova 20 Inch BikeView the Wethepeople Nova 20 Inch Bike at LUXBMX
Sunday Blueprint 20 inch BikeView the Sunday Blueprint 20 inch Bike at LUXBMX
Photos: LUXBMX
BMX Wiki and LUXBMX share an owner. Links to the store are not paid placements and do not change what articles say. About this relationship
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