Fancy getting yourself a BMX?
If you’re new to BMX riding or just want to get a new BMX bike, then you’ve come to the right place. Finding a BMX bike can be a challenge, especially if you’re on a budget.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you. If you want to buy a BMX but don’t know where to start or how much you should be saving up, then you’re going to love this article. The best BMX bikes arent always expensive, it all depends on what you’re looking for.
From freestyling and dirt jumping, to modern-day racing, BMX biking has come a long way and there are so many different kinds of BMX bikes to choose from.
So guess what?
I am going to show you what BMX bikes you can get, what is the range of prices for BMX bikes, and the best BMX bikes that are worth investing in. Price shouldn’t be the determining factor, since cheap bikes are not always worth it, but whether you start small or big, there’s a bike for you.
Stay tuned.
Should you invest or start cheap?
If you want to buy a BMX bike for yourself, it’s a good idea to invest a little extra and get a decent BMX bike rather than going for the cheapest option.
BMX bikes come in a range of price ranges such as under $200 for a low quality bike all the way up to $1300 and above. When picking out a BMX bike, you need to look at which BMX matches your needs and riding style, not only the price factor.
Here are a couple of things to look out for that will help you decide which BMX bike among millions is the right one for you.
Custom or Standard
When picking out your BMX bike, there are two types to consider- whether it’s a standard shop-bought bike or a custom build.
A complete bike is a standard version that BMX companies make, with regular parts, frames, and color. Complete bikes usually come at a lower price point and are a good option for beginners that don’t know the bike specifics they want.
A Build is a custom made version of a custom bike, often made by BMX riders themselves. It is made of parts that the rider has chosen, based on their wants and needs. Usually, this is best for experienced riders who know exactly what they want. They are also more expensive but are good for pro bikers.
BMX brands
When you want to buy a BMX bike, you need to take into consideration brands. Even when considering the price point, you can do a bit of research into the right brand for you.
You can do this by following BMX bike trends to see what’s hot at the moment. Reading reviews on popular sites like Amazon or Bike review sites can help you get a good idea of what you need.
There are thousands of blogs out there about BMX that can help you make a good purchase decision.
Having decided these few points should give you an idea of the amount you should be spending on your BMX bike. Now you’ll be able to compare prices to get a quality BMX for your needs.
Is BMX expensive?
In short, yes. Even for quality beginner, entry-level BMX bikes, the prices can be high. If you’re already in the BMX game a long time, then you’ll know that both the bikes and replacing parts can be expensive. Depending on if you want racing bikes, mountain bikes, or a dirt bike, prices may differ. Why is BMX so expensive?
There are a few factors that differentiate BMX riding from other bikes. BMX bikes are made to be lightweight especially for stunt riding, stronger (eg featuring durable steel frame) for rough usage in skate parks, and more responsive so you can push your boundaries. Make sure you don’t get a smaller bike because of the price tag, and an expensive BMX bike should have quality components such as sealed bearings and the right tube length.
That’s why other bikes simply won’t work well if you want to do BMX riding. A good quality BMX bike will not be found under $500, and even high end manufacturers such as Daylight can charge $4000 for a BMX bike.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that saving up for an expensive “pro” bike will give you the skills needed to become a pro. A BMX rider needs to develop a skill set and lots of practice to be able to ride like a pro, the bike is only a small part of that.
If you’re putting more money into a pro BMX bike, make sure it has pro features such as higher grade aluminum or better material, a brand name, frames out of Chromoly or a hi ten steel frame, lighter alloys, and weight-saving parts.
How much do BMX bikes cost if you’re a beginner?
When you’re first getting into BMX riding, you may not want to spend loads, or need to for an entry-level bike.
Most BMX bikes for beginners are simple, so don’t require a heavy investment. An entry level BMX bike should cost you no more than $100-$200. For that price you can’t expect the best materials such as
The good part about starting with a low-level BMX bike is that they don’t cost a lot upfront, and as you outgrow the bike’s performance you can upgrade individual parts as and when you need them.
That is going to make it perfect for beginners and bikers on a budget, since you’ll learn how the bike works, and as your skills in BMX riding increase, you can upgrade your bike. Plus it’s fun! You could replace the handlebars, the wheel, brakes, top tube, bottom brackets and rims all at low prices! Of course, it’s a bit easier if you have someone experienced helping you.
It’s great for testing your love for BMX, if you’re serious about it you’ll be prepared to start investing in a good bike. However, if you invest upfront and then realize it’s not for you, then it could be a regret.
It will also give you time to try out BMX riding styles so that you invest in a bike that is adapted to your favorite BMX riding style.
How much does a BMX bike cost for a pro?
What do I mean by pro? Someone who knows exactly what they want from a BMX bike, and can only get it by building from scratch.
Yes, that also means it is a lot more expensive than the standard even high-end complete BMX bikes. For this, you’ll need to know what you want and check that it’s definitely not available in a pre-made complete BMX bike.
Once you’ve made a detailed list of everything you want from your bike, with the experience of having used many kinds of BMX bikes, then your choice is easy.
Particularly if you compete in BMX racing, then building a personalized BMX could be a real advantage in competitions.
The pricing for a pro rider who knows what they want is about $1000 to $4000.
Why you shouldn’t spend loads on your first BMX bike
Before you cash out on your first BMX bike, find out why you want one in the first place. Is it for the cool stunts? Is it for fitness purposes? Is it to use on your commute to school or work? Or is it just for the aesthetics of the bike? There’s nothing wrong with either of these reasons, but it will affect which bike and the cost you choose to go for.
BMX bikes have an appealing look as they are cool and unique, they are perfect for anyone who wants to get into doing tricks and stunts, and you can use them to burn calories and as a way to stay active, or as a ride to your workplace.
If you’re on a budget, don’t go for a high-end bike aimed at amateurs. Instead, go for a cheap bike that can go a long way, even if they have unsealed bearings. Don’t be fooled by sales reps at the bike shop that just want to sell. Truly assess your personal preference, go for mid range in your budget, and remember, you can always upgrade your BMX with aftermarket parts just by switching up a few things like the tires or frames.
How much do cheap BMX bikes cost?
Now, we’re not talking about cheap prices, but cheap, low-quality bikes. In general, BMX bikes are not made to be affordable and many retailers bump the price down by producing poor quality BMX bikes. Ironically you could find cheaper BMX bikes under $500 that lasts a long time.
Rather than let the price define the bike, learn to look at the construction of the bike and read the specifications. Cheaper BMX bikes tend to have parts of low quality if the price tag is low, but you’ll probably find that the store sells replacement parts that you can use if they break. Many sell rims, tires, frames, handlebars, brakes, bottom brackets or even the wheel so you can replace the old wheel on your bicycle.
If you’re a beginner that doesn’t want to shell out a lot of money for your first bike, then make sure you do lots of research to find a good deal for all your tricks. Even an expensive BMX may not be worth it and at a low price tag, not all cheap BMX bikes are made equal and you might find just what you’re looking for at the price you can afford!
Is it expensive to modify a complete BMX bike?
If you’ve gone for a complete build as your initial starting point, you might be looking into upgrading some parts before buying a whole new bike.
To modify your existing BMX, you need to find quality parts that add value to the construction of your bike. For example, the wheels, removable brake mounts, double wall rims rather than plastic wheels, sealed bearings, or pedals are very easy to upgrade later on if you went with a standard BMX bike. These are parts that upfront may be expensive, and could raise the cost of the overall bike, but if you go for lower quality they can still be replaced later on when you have the funds.
Bear in mind that when it comes to replacing bigger parts like getting a full Chromoly frame instead of high tensile steel, they can be extremely expensive and you might be better off getting a whole new bike. I recommend start making small modifications if you’re a beginner, and once you start to need bigger upgrades then you can consider a more pro BMX bike.
How much does it cost to maintain your BMX bike?
BMX cost involves bmx bike maintenance, especially if you get a lot of wear out of whether for stunts at the skate park or racing or doing dirt jumps.
Upkeeping your bike is going to save you money in the long run as your bike is going to last a lot longer. Plus it’s not just about replacing worn parts, it’s also about regularly cleaning your bike. Storing your bike appropriately and keeping it away from mud and dampness can do so much. You can check out youtube for in-depth tutorials on how to clean your bike and doing basic DIY maintenance like fixing a broken chain or a puncture.
These things are inexpensive to do and can save your bike from expensive or irreparable damage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether to get your first BMX bike, do it. No matter your budget, with the right research into the bike construction, brand names, and your needs you’ll be able to find a good value bike.
For the pros out there, have you ever considered a custom build bike? This could be your next challenge if you’ve never done it before, but once your bike has everything you want you’ll never go back to purchasing stock standard bikes.
If you don’t have the funds right now to get yourself a BMX bike, you have two options. Save up, or start somewhere small and affordable, but work your way upgrading parts until you can get a better BMX bike.
Whether you’re sending as little as $500 for an entry level bike or as much as $3000 for a custom build, there’s a lot you can do to save money but still get high quality. The best bikes don’t always have a high cost.
Are you saving up for your first BMX bike?
