BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross and it was a sport that grew to prominence in California during the mid-1970s before spreading to the rest of the world. Originally the races took place on dirt tracks before evolving to use purpose built courses and then the sport took on an entirely new form as the 80s and 90s progressed. Young innovators took their skills to the streets and eventually to the emptied swimming pools and custom vert ramps, which sprang up as freestyle BMX appeared on the global scene in tandem with skateboarding. Considered to be one of the top extreme sports, it is a regular feature of the X-Games in the U.S. and made it into the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for the first time in recognition of its international impact.
The good thing about BMX bikes is that they are simplistic by design. Whilst mountain bikes can have incredibly complex components coupled with full suspension set ups and disc brakes, BMX bikes tend to keep things uncomplicated with a single speed set up that allows the rider to have 1:1 control over the wheels and often just a single brake on the rear wheel. A 20-inch frame is the typical size for BMX bikes, although they can vary to accommodate smaller or larger riders, just like any type of cycle. The saddle is usually kept in a low profile position and the rider is expected to stand in order to perform jumps, tricks and to get any momentum going.
Despite the relative simplicity of BMX bikes there are tons of extras and additional components that can be added. In fact, the whole BMX culture is based around customising your ride and making it personal. Even if you buy a bike off the shelf you should expect to be able to find extras and accessories, which will not only enhance its look but also add performance features. If you are going to get serious about carrying out tricks on a BMX, particularly grinding, then you might want to add some pegs. These can be attached to the wheels and give you a smooth surface which can help with grinding walls and rails as well as lip tricking, if you ever get to this advanced stage with your skills.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, altering the grips on the handlebar of your BMX is probably the easiest and cheapest modification you can make. Different colours and designs are available and you can slip on these rubber items quickly. Customisation can extend to tyres, wheels and spokes and it is possible to build a bike yourself from scratch, although it is recommended to get a ready set up model because this will be just as cheap and save you all of the work.
If you plan to take BMX riding seriously on dirt courses or street set ups then you will also need to invest in safety gear. A helmet is a must for all bike riding but your knees and elbows can take serious damage on a regular basis so pads are a good buy. For racing, a helmet that covers not just the top of your head but your entire face and chin is good, with crossover options available, which will suit both BMX and mountain bike fanatics.
