BMX Bike - size selection

[Moley RUFC]

So, my boy has decided that he’d like a BMX for Christmas and whilst I know they are supposed to be smaller than a normal bike I’m not sure what size to get him. He’s 10 and has a 25” inside leg, I’ve looked at the 20” bikes but they too smaller however a 24” looks too big...... can someone who knows point me in the right direction for the right size

[TwilightJohnny]

Almost all BMX bikes will have 20" wheels whatever age or size he is. Modern 'wheelie bikes' are similar to overgrown BMXs but very different.

I usually try to convince customers in the shop that they might 'think' they want a BMX but unless they are going to get in to regularly visiting a bike park or pump track it probably isn't a good idea.

Try here if you're sure:

https://www.sourcebmx.com/

Edited by TwilightJohnny on Tuesday 1st December 13:39

[wastedyouth86]

Most BMX frames will not be sized up by the leg they will be sized by length of top tube. Remember the whole point of a bmx bike is for it to be low for the ease of getting legs off and also spinning and whipping the bike so a seat is really only there for aesthetics and occasional use between runs. the question you have to ask is he getting a BMX to ride a BMX aka ride skateparks, street and dirt jumps or does he just want to ride a bmx as a bicycle?

[Ilovejapcrap]

TwilightJohnny said:

https://www.sourcebmx.com/

Edited by TwilightJohnny on Tuesday 1st December 13:39

FFS I want one now just because (40 yrs old never bmx’d and probs never will)

[wastedyouth86]

Also to add, if he is looking at riding a BMX for skateparks or dirt jumping a 20inch may actually be to big for him and to start him on a 16inch bike.

[louiebaby]

I recently bought a Felt 20 inch for my 8 year old for Christmas, but it's a very small frame. I also got an 18 inch wheel Cuda Shredder for my 6 year old.

I paid £75 and £55 for them from FB Marketplace and Gumtree respectively.

If they don't use them much, it doesn't really matter at that price. If they've not been used much by this time next year, I'll sell them for Christmas 2021 presents through similar channels.

I also picked up another 20 inch bike that is too big for the kids "accidentally" which I may have to have a play on myself.

We live a stones throw from a skate park, so often go up there in the mornings at weekends before the teenagers are out of bed, and have it to ourselves!

[Moley RUFC]

Thanks all - he is keen on the idea of skate parks etc and therefore I’ll pursue the ideas above.

[MiltonBaines]

My son wants a BMX to mess about on at the skate park and a local pump track etc. He is a tall 7 and 20inch bikes with 20 inch top tubes were too big, the reach and handlebar width was the issue.

But 18inch wheel bikes were tiny. Found a 20in wheel bike with a 18.5 top tube, and all the other measurements scaled down slightly. Xmas present do can't be totally sure but should fit him ok.

[wastedyouth86]

MiltonBaines said:

My son wants a BMX to mess about on at the skate park and a local pump track etc. He is a tall 7 and 20inch bikes with 20 inch top tubes were too big, the reach and handlebar width was the issue.

But 18inch wheel bikes were tiny. Found a 20in wheel bike with a 18.5 top tube, and all the other measurements scaled down slightly. Xmas present do can't be totally sure but should fit him ok.

to be fair, they are suppose to be tiny, most 7 year old's start out on a 16inch wheel bike.

[lufbramatt]

Nothing to add except the last time I was at Cyclcopark (getting very muddy doing CX practice) there were kids smashing it round the pump/BMX track on BMXs and it looked SO much fun. I've also done laps of a pump track on a rigid MTB and know how much of a workout it is! the kids make it look so easy.

[trails]

This will help you understand sizes; all the way from balance (toddler) to 22" wheeled (old gits with bad backs) bikes.

https://fitbikeco.com/product-category/bikes/

Don't use Source they are rubbish and just re-sell from other shops/distributors so don't hold much stock and leave you waiting...

https://voltbmx.com/

https://www.customriders.com/

https://www.deadsailorbmx.co.uk/

https://winstanleysbmx.com/

[Matt_N]

wastedyouth86 said:

to be fair, they are suppose to be tiny, most 7 year old's start out on a 16inch wheel bike.

My lad is 6 and 125cm tall, pretty confident on his bike but with a skatepark close by and him being up there quite a bit on his scooter he has taken a liking to BMX.

Was thinking a 16” from the likes of Sunday Primer / Blueprint but am also a bit conscious of the weight of some them. A mate sent a link to Radio but their alloy one is £389rrp.

Any other brands to consider or are they all pretty much the ones on sourcebmx?

[Jake899]

Of course there is massive variety in build quality and performance focus. BMxers are a dedicated, passionate bunch and the rabbit hole goes as far as you want to follow. All BMxs are most certainly not the same.
Already mentioned is Park, generally a shorter frame, detangler, pegs
Street, Longer frame, perhaps two pegs, very personalised
and Flatland, which is the most under represented scene in BMX and in my opinion the most accessible and impressive.

[Matt_N]

trails said:

This will help you understand sizes; all the way from balance (toddler) to 22" wheeled (old gits with bad backs) bikes.

https://fitbikeco.com/product-category/bikes/

Don't use Source they are rubbish and just re-sell from other shops/distributors so don't hold much stock and leave you waiting...

https://voltbmx.com/

https://www.customriders.com/

https://www.deadsailorbmx.co.uk/

https://winstanleysbmx.com/

Thanks for the links.

Interesting that some say 16” and some say 18” wheel, my lad is 6 and 124cm (4ft).

[wastedyouth86]

Matt_N said:

Thanks for the links.

Interesting that some say 16” and some say 18” wheel, my lad is 6 and 124cm (4ft).

all relative, i am 6ft and my bmx has 20 inch wheels my friend who is 6ft3 also rides a 20inch,

i think the benefit of an 18 inch bike is that some frames can adopt 20 inch wheels so as he gets bigger he doesn't need a new bike or frame you can swap out the wheels for 20inch

[trails]

Matt_N said:

Thanks for the links.

Interesting that some say 16” and some say 18” wheel, my lad is 6 and 124cm (4ft).

As Wasted Youth says most people run 20” wheels regardless of height, mine has 20” wheels and I’m an enormous 5’ 8”

At 4ft I’d be going with a modestly priced 16” bike and see how he gets on...plenty of higher quality second hand rigs out there too.

[MiltonBaines]

wastedyouth86 said:

MiltonBaines said:

My son wants a BMX to mess about on at the skate park and a local pump track etc. He is a tall 7 and 20inch bikes with 20 inch top tubes were too big, the reach and handlebar width was the issue.

But 18inch wheel bikes were tiny. Found a 20in wheel bike with a 18.5 top tube, and all the other measurements scaled down slightly. Xmas present do can't be totally sure but should fit him ok.

to be fair, they are suppose to be tiny, most 7 year old's start out on a 16inch wheel bike.

We go to a BMX club at the local pump track each week and use their bikes. The instructors always size him up for à 20in wheel, 18in top tube Haro bike. Only the really diddy children, 4, 5 get given the tiny 16 and 18 inch wheel bikes. I guess there is no one size fits all solution until they grow a bit.

[wastedyouth86]

MiltonBaines said:

We go to a BMX club at the local pump track each week and use their bikes. The instructors always size him up for à 20in wheel, 18in top tube Haro bike. Only the really diddy children, 4, 5 get given the tiny 16 and 18 inch wheel bikes. I guess there is no one size fits all solution until they grow a bit.

However there is a big difference between a race bmx, and a 'freestyle' bmx. bigger wheels are needed for racing as they carry speed better smooth out bumps and you can get the power down. In freestyle it is all about making the bike work for you rather than muscle and pedal power.

Edited by wastedyouth86 on Friday 4th December 14:29

[MiltonBaines]

My lack of knowledge of all things BMX shows! Ultimately my son doesn't race seriously, doesn't freestyle seriously, he just wants a BMX to jump kerbs, go leisurely round a pump track and the rollers at the skate park. The one I've bought was cheap enough that it can be replaced one day if he shows any talent or interest in one particular BMX discipline. Thanks for the advice though, much appreciated.

[Fluid]

trails said:

This will help you understand sizes; all the way from balance (toddler) to 22" wheeled (old gits with bad backs) bikes.

https://fitbikeco.com/product-category/bikes/

Don't use Source they are rubbish and just re-sell from other shops/distributors so don't hold much stock and leave you waiting...

https://voltbmx.com/

https://www.customriders.com/

https://www.deadsailorbmx.co.uk/

https://winstanleysbmx.com/

Going to have to go against what’s written above regarding Source.

Ordered my daughter a wethepeople Curse fc BMX on Friday last week at lunch time, it arrived the next day at 0930. That was with standard free shipping, not the paid for express delivery.

We also got a £40 off your next order offer, which I used to buy two pairs of pegs. These only took a few days to arrive.