For all the dirt-jumping folks looking to recapture their BMX days, BMX racers, park dwellers, Bike Lifers and freestyle urban riders—this list is for you.
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BMX is arguably the most diverse and inclusive form of cycling, encompassing coastal cultures, urban stunt riding, and hard-nosed rural competition in a single, loosely drawn concept. Starting in 1969 with repurposed Schwinns, the sport quickly refined and expanded its riding options to include everything from 12-pound terrors for six-year-old expert-category riders to the 29-inch “bike life” cruisers beloved of the Brooklyn wheelie crowd.
That specialization means that, as with the mountain bike cousins, you will give up performance in one area to gain it elsewhere—but the diversity of adult-sized BMX bikes is not nearly as outrageous as it is on the mountain. It’s possible to race on your skatepark bike or vice versa.
Whether you're at the skatepark or the trail, stay safe. Check our picks for the best helmets and BMX-specific helmets.
Most BMX bikes fall into one of six categories. Race bikes are optimized for competition, with stiff frames and precise sizing. (Supercross, one of the most popular race-oriented brands, stocks 12 frame sizes for the 20-inch wheel and six frame sizes for “cruiser” races, using a 24-inch wheel.) Dirt, park, and street bikes—best for freestyle riders—all share the same rugged construction and steel-frame aesthetic but are subtly optimized for a particular venue. Middle-aged riders looking to recapture some of their youth without cracking their kneecaps will be interested in a flock of new “retro” bikes that repeat the styles of the ’80s and ’90s forebears with more rider room and more durable materials. Last but certainly not least, “BikeLife” is a whole new approach to BMX born from avant-garde street riders in Harlem, Philadelphia, Oakland, and elsewhere.
Most riders will want a “dirt” or “park” bike, but children under twelve who have racing in mind should choose a ride specific to that task, lest they find themselves a long way behind the rest of even novice-level competition.
Choosing a Wheel and Frame Size
Most racers south of middle age will want a twenty-inch wheel. There is no common agreement as to sizing; “Pro XL” from one company might be “Pro” or “Pro XXL” at another. Consult your preferred manufacturer’s spec chart before ordering.
Freestyle and/or recreational riders have a wider range of options. Manufacturers like Sunday offer skatepark-specific bikes with wheels from 12 to 22 inches and a diversity of frame sizes. The BikeLife crowd prefers 26-inch or 29-inch wheels, although 24-inch and 27.5-inch options are also available.
In your thirties or above? Strongly consider getting a 24-inch wheel or larger. Most 20-inch BMX frames have the bottom bracket higher than the axles, for purposes of ground clearance. This leads to the feeling of sitting or standing “on the bike” rather than “in the bike.” Novice riders will likely find this feeling to be remarkably uncomfortable. When in doubt, gravitate toward one of the 26-inch offerings or even a 29.
It’s tough to get a competitive race bike for under $500, and pro-quality builds from high-end manufacturers like Daylight and Supercross can easily hit the $4,000 mark. Generally, starting with an affordable complete bike from a major manufacturer is best. Fairly quickly, you’ll figure out what you like and don’t like about it, which will guide you in a custom or semi-custom build to follow.
Most of the options on this list were nominated by our test editors, who have experience with these and similar products in various conditions—from skatepark to street riding to racing. The rest we’ve evaluated based on user reviews, research, discussions with riders who are using them now, and how their specs compare to similar products we’ve tested in the past. Check out these options for the perfect BMX bike, from everyday essential to defiantly boutique.
Sunday's Primer can take you all the way to serious skatepark riding; riders between five to six feet tall will likely find exactly what they need with this bike. It features an Odyssey Springfield brake system, Path Pro tires, and a super durable hi ten steel frame for eating those inevitable spills. The bike is also backed by Sunday's lifetime warranty for protection against defects. Sunday is one of the most recommended BMX bikes for first-time riders, and just like its name states, it's a solid primer to the sport.
If you’re a little older and are looking for something less agile than a 20-inch ride, consider Stolen’s Saint 24. Built for stability, this cruiser will get you comfy at the skatepark with less chance of wiping out. And even when you do, your bike is surely stable thanks to steel tubes inside of its frame, fork, and bar. With mob cranks and sealed bearings, this is one great value ride.
The Mongoose Legion 16 is a solid BMX bike for kids 3-feet-6-inches and under who need a 16-incher that can take a beating. The Legion 16 is simple to assemble and features gyro brakes for easy handlebar spins, loose-ball bottom brackets, and comfy grips. Made with rigid steel, it is also heavy, even for a BMX bike. But weight aside, Mongoose is one of the most trusted brands for children. Replace some of its stock parts—users say the seatpost and brakes are necessary swaps—and your kid's got a trusty BMX bike.
Mongoose also sells the Legion 18 for children between 3-feet-8-inches to 4-feet-8-inches.
The urban “bike life” movement has primarily been powered by 26-inch-wheeled singlespeeds, with enormous 29-inch-wheeled variants gaining steam in the past two years because they’re more stable and predictable for some of the more extreme stunts beloved of the community. Those larger wheels, however, can be downright intimidating for smaller or younger riders. The 26-inch Flyer is the way to go if you want to jump into the Bike Life culture without feeling like you're mounting a steed of a 29-inch. Plus, it looks fantastic with its retro style based on BMX culture of decades past.
The “bike life” movement, primarily led and nourished by SE Racing and a group of increasingly well-known riders from Harlem, Philly, and elsewhere, has caught the attention of all the major BMX players, including long-time industry heavyweight GT. The 29-inch Street Performer is a big-wheeled beauty with a retro front triangle frame, double wall rims, and fully sealed bearings. These specs are just a little better than the run-of-the-bike-life mill.
Contrary to what we say above, some bike life riders say that 29-inch wheels are a great intro to the culture. Those bigger wheels can be intimidating, but they aren't completely uncontrollable. The Big Ripper is an icon from SE, lending a stable ride for those who want to pop big wheelies and cruise down the block.
BMX? Maybe just in style. The SWFT BMX is an e-bike disguised as what the pros use, with a durable low steel frame, an LCD control display, 350W motor with a top speed of 20 mph, and standard 20-inch wheels you’d typically find at the skatepark. You can easily take curbs but don’t expect to do many drinks in this—40 lbs. is annoying heavy for bunny hops, plus the internal wiring prevents barspins.
This complete BMX build is one of the cheapest, and with a few minor upgrades, it can be your go-to ride. It’s got a treadless sealed integrated headset, aluminum U-brake and brake levers, removable brake mounts, and an ultra-durable steel frame. Users say this bike is an easy upgrade and only needs a few minor tweaks, though some had issues with its freecoaster sticking and say it needs more grease for better fakes. It's best for anyone 5-foot-6-inches and taller.
Very few complete bikes are available in this size, and some manufacturers appear to be ignoring the segment in hopes it will fade away. Wethepeople has put its back into promoting 22-inch BMX with the well-equipped, right-sized Audio, which should fit riders between 5-foot-8-inches and 6-foot-2-inches. With their more stability and predictability, 22-inch bikes are an excellent choice for riders who haven’t been on a bike in a while but who don’t want to make a move to 26- or 29-inch cruisers. They’re also significantly easier on your body, particularly when ridden more than occasionally.
Available in several sizes, the MX bikes from the venerable race brand Redline have been heavily modified to incorporate many desirable features from the upscale Proline series. Ready to win right out of the box, the MX is an excellent choice in Mini and Junior versions, the former for heights 4-foot-1-inch to 4-foot-5-inches, and the latter 4-foot-6-inches to 5-foot-1. The Expert, meanwhile, is best for those 5 feet to 5-foot-4-inches, and the Expert XL for 5-foot-2-inches to 5-foot-6-inches.
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.
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