BMX Bike Dimension Chart (Full Information)

Are you additionally asking your self, “What dimension BMX bike do I want?”

It’s a quite common query, so that you’re not alone.

However questioning about getting the correct dimension is an effective factor.

Why?

As a result of selecting the right bike is among the most vital selections you’ll make.

The fitting BMX bike dimension will aid you progress sooner. However, sadly, it’ll do the precise reverse should you get a motorcycle that’s too small or too giant.

This put up covers:

Nonetheless, in relation to bikes with 12″ to 18″ wheels, the scale isn’t as essential as it’s for 20″ bikes.

However regardless should you’re getting it on your child or for your self, learn alongside to search out the proper dimension.

How Are BMX Bikes Sized?

BMX manufacturers use two essential sizing specs: wheel dimension and top tube length.

Whereas bikes beneath the 20″ wheel dimension don’t range in geometry a lot, you will get very particular 20″ wheel BMX bikes – for the type of driving you love to do most. Like these final BMX street bikes.

The opposite geometry specs you must pay shut consideration to in case you are in search of a extra particular bike are head tube angle, chainstay length and bottom bracket height.

What do these imply?

• Head tube (HT) angle: A mellower HT makes the bike extra steady and a steeper HT extra responsive. (Something above 75-degree is “steep.”)
• Chainstay (rear finish) size: In order for you your bike to be simpler to spin, whip and even simply guide, then a chainstay (CS) of 13″ (or beneath) will do the trick. However should you want stability, go along with 13.5″ and even longer CS.
• Backside bracket peak: There are bikes with larger (makes the bike extra responsive) and decrease (makes he bike extra steady) backside bracket (BB) peak. It’s a vertical distance from the bottom to the middle of the bike’s bottom bracket shell.

There are additionally head tube peak, standover height and seat tube angle however these aren’t as vital.

However I do like bikes with a better standover peak as a result of it provides it a extra basic look. Nonetheless, a low standover peak is useful should you’re a park dude doing a number of tailwhips.

BMX Bike Dimension Chart By Peak & Wheel Dimension

What about BMX bikes which can be bigger than 20″ wheeled ones?

Whereas 22″, 24″, 26″ and even bigger “BMX bikes” can match a wide range of riders’ heights, I like to recommend them solely to taller dudes (5’8″/5’9″ and taller) as a result of they really feel far more comfy.

Particularly if you wish to do methods on them.

Sizing Up Or Sizing Down Your BMX Bike

Okay, so that you’ve used the BMX bike dimension chart to discover a bike that matches your peak, however you’re proper on the sting.

What to do?

Must you go up one dimension or down?

All of it relies on the driving type you do, but in addition your age, since you would possibly nonetheless be rising.

Right here’s what I like to recommend you do.

Why Sizing Up

For those who’re nonetheless rising and also you don’t know whether or not to select a 16″ or a 18″ wheeled BMX, go along with the bigger one.

You would possibly outgrow the smaller one TOO shortly, so it’d even be you losing cash on a model new bike.

Hey, you’ll then want to purchase a brand new one earlier than you even get the right really feel of the present one.

However in case you are already tall sufficient for a 20″ bike, sizing up would possibly primarily relate to the driving type you wish to do.

In order for you a extra steady bike since you get pleasure from driving quick and hitting trails and transitions primarily, then sizing up will take advantage of sense.

However even should you do determine to select the smaller model, you can also make your bike really feel bigger and extra steady by stretching out your rear wheel, making the chainstay longer and getting an extended BMX stem.

The inventory stem is likely to be 50mm however you will get a 57mm, which can make an enormous distinction.

You may even put your handlebar within the Chicago place (placing it ahead, so it’s not consistent with your forks).

Plus, you will get BMX forks with longer offset. (Don’t miss my full newbie’s information on BMX fork offset.)

Why Sizing Down

I’d advocate sizing down while you’re in between sizes solely to those that wish to buy a 20″ wheeled BMX bike.

Something smaller, at all times go dimension up.

Like within the earlier case, all of it relies on what kind of driving you’re into.

For those who like technical avenue (and park) driving, then taking place one dimension will probably be higher.

Why?

As a result of a smaller bike will probably be far more responsive, which is important for all of the spinning methods, manuals, nostril manuals and different technical wizardry you’d love to do.

Nonetheless, should you really feel just like the bigger bike will suit you higher, right here’s what you are able to do to make it extra responsive and twitchy:

• You may slam your again wheel to make the chainstay size as brief as attainable.
• You will get a shorter stem.
• You will get forks with a shorter offset.
• You may put your handlebar consistent with forks.

Ask For A Take a look at Trip

For those who aren’t ordering your bike on-line however will buy it a your native bike store, ask for a take a look at trip.

This doesn’t imply they are going to let you soar or do any methods, however simply to pedal round (normally within the retailer).

The shop proprietor can even aid you with choosing the proper dimension, due to their years-long expertise.

Issues Brought on By The Unsuitable Dimension BMX Bike

As somebody who has been driving BMX for 20+ years, I can simply spot who’s on the correct and who’s on the wrong-sized bike. I don’t even must comply with the BMX bike dimension chart.

And you’ll, too, after some time.

Whether or not you find yourself on a too small or too giant bike, you received’t have as a lot enjoyable and – worst-case state of affairs – be extra liable to getting injured.

That’s why it’s price spending some further time inspecting the bikes and NOT make any pressing selections.

However you may as well attain out to me and I’ll be stoked that can assist you out.

A fallacious bike setup may cause aches and pains however it will probably additionally decelerate your development.

As an illustration, you probably have a too small bike, you’ll be much more hunched over, which might trigger lower back pain.

With a shorter bike and a shorter chainstay, you’ll be simple to loop out that may trigger nasty slams in your again (and even hitting your head – put on a BMX helmet!).

And should you get a bike that’s too huge, it’ll take you much more effort simply to drag it right into a guide.

The bike can even be so much tougher to spin and it’ll be more durable to regulate it – it’ll extra seemingly management you.

Conclusion: Decide The Excellent-Sized BMX Bike

Whereas there’s a number of stuff you’ll want to think about when selecting a BMX bike, this information will certainly equip you with sufficient background to choose the correct dimension.

You additionally must know that every bike FEELS barely totally different, even when the scale is precisely the identical. (Just like selecting two dimension giant hoodies from totally different manufacturers – they received’t supply equivalent match.)

However I can even say this: Your first bike will seemingly be utterly totally different in comparison with the bike you’ll trip a number of years into your BMX journey.

In my case, I began on a 20.5″, however I now trip a body with a 21.6″ high tube size. Sure, that’s a large distinction.

Lastly, should you want extra assist, you realize the place to search out me.