Updated January 8, 2024
BMX biking got its start in the 70s and has become increasingly popular since that time developing into a diverse range of styles from leisurely street cruising, to rougher dirt road action, to performing tricks in a skate park or even an organized freestyle competition, or racing. People of all ages from kids to adults can enjoy BMX riding and take it as casually or seriously as they desire.
Choosing the right BMX bike can be a challenge. To give you a leg up in the process, quality bikes in several BMX categories have been selected as an introduction. They are presented in a comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, videos, and a basic buying guide.
Please use the comments section at the bottom if you have any questions or concerns. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on bikes, please check these reviews:
Women’s Mountain Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Top 10 Best BMX Bikes in 2023
- Redline MX24 BMX Race Bike
- Mongoose Title 24 BMX Race Bike
- Redline Proline Expert XL BMX Race Bike
- Mongoose Title Pro XXL BMX Race Bike
- Schwinn Predator Team Cruiser BMX Bike
- Mongoose Legion L500 Freestyle BMX Bike
- Redline Rival 20 Freestyle BMX Bike
- Framed 26er Cruiser BMX Bike
- Diamondback Youth Nitrus BMX Bike
- Mongoose Legion Mag Freestyle BMX Bike
Top 10 BMX Bikes Comparison Table
| Photo | Bike | Frame | Tires | Type | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Redline MX24 BMX Race Bike | Aluminum | 24" | Racing | 4.6 | $$ |
  | Mongoose Title 24 BMX Race Bike | Aluminum | 24" | Racing | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Redline Proline Expert XL BMX Race Bike | Aluminum | 20" | Racing | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Mongoose Title Pro XXL BMX Race Bike | Aluminum | 20" | Racing | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Schwinn Predator Team Cruiser BMX Bike | Steel | 24" | Cruiser | 4.4 | $$ |
  | Mongoose Legion L500 Freestyle BMX Bike | Chromoly Steel | 20" | Freestyle | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | Redline Rival 20 Freestyle BMX Bike | Steel | 20" | Freestyle | 4.5 | $$ |
 | Framed 26er Cruiser BMX Bike | Aluminum | 26" | Cruiser | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Diamondback Youth Nitrus BMX Bike | Steel | 20" | Youth | 4.2 | $ |
  | Mongoose Legion Mag Freestyle BMX Bike | Steel | 20" | Freestyle | 4.2 | $ |
| Photo | Bike | Frame | Tires | Type | Rating | Price |
The Redline MX24 BMX Race Bike is a great fit for beginner riders 5’6” and taller.
Ready to ride right out of the box, pedals are included.
The foundation has a lightweight, durable 6061 aluminum frame, with 24-inch Vee Speedster tires on aluminum alloy rims, and 3-piece race Chromoly cranks.
It also has Tektro linear brakes in the rear and a flexible racing-oriented seat.
The colors available include dark gray, crimson, and blue.
A limited lifetime warranty on the frame lends confidence to the quality.
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’6” and taller
- Frame: durable, lightweight 6061 aluminum
- Fork: hi-ten steel with tapered legs
- Tires: 24-inch x 1.75 Vee Speedster
- Cranks: race Chromoly 3 piece
- Rims: alloy race
- Brakes: Tektro BX310 linear brakes
- Saddle: Pivotal Race
- Colors: dark gray, crimson, blue
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty on the frame
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$
Mongoose Title 24 BMX Race Bike
The Title 24 BMX Race Bike is a great model for taller beginner and intermediate riders over 5‘7” from Mongoose who got their manufacturing start making BMX bikes back in 1974.
The lightweight Tectonic T1 aluminum frame comes with a hi-ten steel fork and sturdy tubular 3-piece Chromoly cranks.
The V-brakes provide speed control and have convenient internal routing.
In addition, the quality Arisun XLR8 tires are mounted on sturdy double-wall aluminum rims.
Available in red at a reasonable price, it comes with a pretty generous warranty.
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’7” and taller
- Frame: lightweight Tectonic T1 aluminum
- Fork: hi-ten steel
- Tires: 24-inch x 1.75 Arisun XLR8
- Cranks: 3-piece tubular Chromoly
- Rims: Xposure Infinity aluminum double-wall rims
- Brakes: aluminum V-brake linear-pull brakes
- Saddle: Mongoose Unifier Pro
- Color: currently available in red
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty on the frame and 1-year limited warranty on parts
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$
Redline Proline Expert XL BMX Race Bike
The Redline Proline Expert XL BMX Race Bike is a great model for young racers with some experience who are ready to take it to the next level.
Riders up to 5’4” will find the Expert XL a sturdy relatively high-performance model with many nice features and components.
It has a sturdy proprietary aluminum alloy frame and a full Chromoly steel fork with tapered legs that aid in maneuverability.
The 20-inch Vee Speed Booster tires are mounted on alloy race rims, the 3-piece cranks are at a superior level, and the Pivotal race seat with no padding lets people know how serious about racing you are.
Available in several vibrant colors, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’4” and shorter
- Frame: durable, lightweight proprietary aluminum alloy
- Fork: full Chromoly with tapered legs
- Tires: 20-inch x 1.6 Vee Speed Booster
- Cranks: Microline 3-piece performance cranks
- Rims: alloy race
- Brakes: Tektro BV1V linear brakes
- Saddle: Pivotal, no padding
- Colors: red, blue, turquoise, yellow
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty on the frame
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Mongoose Title Pro XXL BMX Race Bike
The Mongoose Title Pro XXL BMX Race Bike is a superior model for beginner to intermediate riders 6’0” and taller.
The components and features are very similar to the Title 24 bike reviewed above but this time it has an elongated frame to suit taller riders with 20-inch tires to go with the double-wall alloy rims.
It has the same lightweight aluminum frame, steel fork, Chromoly 3-piece cranks, linear-pull brakes with internal cable routing, and saddle.
That’s a nice batch of specs for a nice price that will suit taller racers.
- Recommended Rider Height: 6’0” and taller
- Frame: lightweight Tectonic T1 aluminum
- Fork: hi-ten steel
- Tires: 20-inch x 1.95/1.75 Arisun XLR8
- Cranks: 3-piece tubular Chromoly
- Rims: Xposure Infinity aluminum double-wall rims
- Brakes: aluminum V-brake linear-pull brakes
- Saddle: Mongoose Unifier Pro
- Colors: red, blue
- Warranty: ask about the limits of the warranty
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Schwinn Predator Team Cruiser BMX Bike
The Schwinn Predator Team Cruiser BMX Bike, inspired by the design from the 80s, has classic styling.
With gum wall 24-inch tires and a sturdy hi-tensile steel frame, it is great on-road or off for riders age 8 and older.
Durability is enhanced by steel cranks and single-wall alloy rims and smooth stopping on all-terrain is supplied by front and rear caliper brakes.
Capping the classic styling and look are rattrap pedals and a chrome finish.
Schwinn closes the deal with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Recommended Riders: age 8 and up
- Frame: durable hi-tensile steel
- Tires: 24-inch x 1.75 vintage gum wall
- Cranks: steel
- Rims: single-wall aluminum alloy
- Brakes: front and rear caliper brakes
- Saddle: Schwinn BMX
- Colors: chrome silver
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $$
Mongoose Legion L500 Freestyle BMX Bike
The Mongoose Legion L500 Freestyle BMX Bike is the pinnacle model in the line designed for the most extreme quarterpipes and ramps and riders 5’8” on up.
Extra durable with high-quality Chromoly steel in the frame, fork, and cranks, it has 20 x 2.4-inch wire bead tires on quality double-wall alloy rims.
The pricing is a little higher than most bikes reviewed here but the performance and durability make it worth the money.
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’8” and taller
- Frame: durable 4130 Chromoly
- Fork: durable 4130 Chromoly
- Tires: 20-inch x 2.4 wire bead
- Cranks: 2-piece tubular Chromoly
- Rims: Xposure Infinity-XD aluminum double-wall rims
- Brakes: aluminum U-brake linear-pull brakes (removable mounts)
- Saddle: Mongoose Pivotal
- Colors: silver
- Warranty: ask about the limits of the warranty
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Redline Rival 20 Freestyle BMX Bike
The Redline Rival Freestyle BMX Bike is a sturdy 20-inch entry-level model with a shorter 19-inch top tube suitable for adults and kids 5’4” or less.
It has basic durability in its hi-ten steel frame and fork, forged 1-piece crank, and alloy rims.
The saddle is padded and a rear U-brake provides the stopping power.
A great bike for neighborhood shredding, it has reasonable pricing and a lifetime limited warranty on the frame.
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’4” and shorter
- Frame: durable, hi-ten steel
- Fork: durable hi-ten tubular steel
- Tires: 20-inch x 2.125 Park
- Cranks: 1 piece forged steel crank
- Rims: RL 20 alloy
- Brakes: Tektro FX340 rear U-brake
- Saddle: Monster padded
- Colors: orange, green
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty on the frame
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
The Framed 26er Cruiser BMX Bike has a longer top tube for stability and control to support larger riders up to 250 pounds for cruising the trail or city streets.
The durable 6061 alloy frame and fork of hi-ten steel with Chromoly legs can effectively deal with front impact while remaining reasonably lightweight.
Double-wall alloy rims support the 26 x 2-inch tires while an Avidd BB5 rear disc brake makes stopping precise.
- Recommended Rider Size: 250 pounds maximum weight
- Frame: lightweight, durable 6061 aluminum alloy
- Fork: hi-ten steel with Chromoly legs
- Tires: 26-inch x 2
- Cranks: 3-piece forged steel
- Rims: alloy double-wall rims
- Brakes: Avidd BB5 rear disc
- Saddle: suede BMX style
- Color: black/blue
- Warranty: ask about the terms of the warranty
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Diamondback Youth Nitrus BMX Bike
The Diamondback Youth Nitrus BMX Bike is a nice model for kids just beginning with BMX racing and dirt ripping.
It has a sturdy hi-ten steel fork and frame with aluminum rims and forged aluminum cranks to take what kids can dish out in the form of falls and crashes as they learn what to do.
It also comes with a DB BMX saddle, 20-inch knobby tires, and easy-pull Tektro rim brakes.
Pricing is ultra-low on this nice starter kids’ BMX bike.
- Recommended Riders: average sized 6 to 10-year-olds (47″-56″)
- Fork: durable hi-ten steel
- Tires: 20-inch x 2.125/1.75 knobby tires
- Cranks: forged aluminum
- Rims: aluminum
- Brakes: Tektro linear-pull
- Saddle: DB BMX
- Colors: gloss black
- Warranty: ask about the warranty
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
Mongoose Legion Mag Freestyle BMX Bike
The Mongoose Legion Mag Freestyle BMX Bike is designed for beginner-level riders from 4’8” to 5’4” to develop their freestyle skills on.
Beyond the sturdy hi-ten steel frame and fork and forged steel crank, it has eye-catching but functional cast aluminum mag wheels and 4 freestyle pegs to add to trick potential.
It also comes with a padded freestyle seat, a rear U-brake for smooth stops, and glaring orange color.
Pricing is low and it’s backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
- Recommended Rider Height: 4’8” to 5’4”
- Frame: durable, hi-ten steel
- Fork: durable hi-ten tubular steel
- Tires: 20-inch x 2.3
- Cranks: 1 piece forged steel crank
- Rims: cast aluminum mag
- Brakes: rear U-brake
- 4 Freestyle Pegs
- Saddle: padded freestyle
- Colors: orange
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
BMX Bikes Buying Guide
Purpose
When purchasing a BMX bike it is useful to examine what sort of use you will put it to. There are design differences to cater to a variety of styles to consider. Perhaps you plan to more or less casually ride on streets or even unpaved roads and trails or you would like to explore the realm of tricks and freestyle, racing, or jumps. Today there is a wide range of activities like these for consideration with bikes more or less suitable for them.
Some specialized categories of BMX bicycling include racing, park & freestyle, flatland tricks, and dirt jumping.
Materials
The most common material used on many higher-quality BMX bikes for the frame and fork is Chromoly steel. It is a steel alloy that is a little lighter and more durable than hi-tensile steel but more expensive. Hi-tensile steel is also the choice for many good bikes. It is also easy to maintain and repair and is fatigue-resistant. If you are looking for a lighter material, aluminum fills the bill. It is durable but a little stiffer though suitable for most applications. It is also cheaper. Some of the best and most expensive models use carbon fiber. The advantages are that it is exceptionally light and durable.
Size
The frame size is important for getting the best fit to match your height. Fortunately, manufacturers usually provide a substantial amount of advice to help you get a bike that fits.
Standard BMX geometry guidelines for height and frame size are as follows:
- < 4’0” – 15” to 16” Micro Mini frame
- 4’0” to 4’6” – 16” to 17” Mini frame
- 4’4” to 4’10” – 17” to 18.5” Junior frame
- 4’8 to 5’4” – 18.5 to 19.5” Expert frame
- 5’4” to 5’10” – 20” to 20.5” Pro frame
- > 5’10” – 21” Pro XL or XXL frames
Wheel Size
20” is the standard wheel size for BMX bikes. For kids and smaller riders, 16” wheels are available. 18” wheels are sometimes used in dirt jumping and freestyle riding. 24” wheels are used by some freestyle riders and racers and may be preferred by taller riders. There are even 26” (like the Framed 26er reviewed above) and 29” wheels used mainly for cruising.
Rims
Tires and wheels can take a beating on a BMX bike so sturdy rims are important. Aluminum alloy is most often used due to its being durable and lightweight. Thicker double and triple-walled versions are available on some bikes to add to durability. The thicker the heavier, though. Double-walled is a common choice.
Gears
BMX bikes only come in single-geared models. For this style of riding, there is no time for changing gears. What is most important is the crank length and the gear ratio between the chainring and rear sprocket. The way to calculate this ratio is to count the number of teeth on the chainring (the numerator) and put that over the number of teeth in the sprocket (the denominator). The lower the ratio, the easier the pedaling will be. It is a matter of preference to a degree based primarily on your size and style. A commonly preferred ratio is 25/9. If you don’t like the feel of your pedaling you can switch out to cranks, chainrings, and/or sprockets in different sizes, with help from a bike shop, if necessary.
Safety
BMX riding can be considered an extreme sport, especially in more adventurous styles like jumping and freestyle tricks. Make sure you are prepared safety-wise by maintaining your bike. Look for cracks, check the brakes and tire inflation, and the general working condition of the bike every time before you get started. If there is a breakdown after a jump or during a trick, significant injury can result. Be prepared by wearing appropriate personal protection gear depending on the activity which could include a helmet with full face covering, knee, elbow, and shin pads, and long sleeves and trousers for abrasion prevention.
For more information on bikes, please check these reviews:
Women’s Mountain Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Feedback and Comments
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