BMX bikes are not for the faint of heart. These bikes are designed for extreme dirt and motocross cycling where the primary purpose is riding, racing, and jumping bikes in motocross style on specialized tracks with inline start and big obstacles. BMX bikes can be used for casual use, usually by kids – and big kids – but their express use is dirt and motocross cycling. BMX encompasses all forms of extreme bike usage like the dirt track, vertical ramp, park, street, and flatland racing, but it is not limited to those.
The materials used to make BMX bikes include steel, aluminium, chromoly, hi tensile steel, or a composite metal material. These BMX bikes are used for the race, freestyle biking, dirt jumping, and flatland riding, and children, people, and teenagers, especially teenagers, have taken up the sport at BMX and skate parks to compete and ride in organized competitions.
BMX bikes continue in a long line of extreme sports, and you need the right equipment and accessories to not get hurt in the sport. The protective gear like a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, protective clothing, and BMX repair tools are a must, and they’re a necessary accessory pack for your BMX experience. Long-sleeved clothing is often worn like special jerseys and pants in case of rough scratching, burning, and abrasion from falling, landing irregularly, and sliding. Chest protectors, shin guards, and wrist guards are advanced padding for serious stunts. Some riders get a full face or open face helmet, but others like closed face helmets like in motorcycle riding. Full-length clothing is often required for most competitions with certain materials being banned like sweatpants, wind pants, and other non-rugged clothing that will not get you the kind of protection you need. Baggy t-shirts are disallowed. Only long-sleeve shirts that are tucked in are allowed. The shoes must cover the entire foot.
There are also various accessories that are a good idea to have on most bikes, but cannot be present on the bike when it goes on the track like a chain guard, reflectors, and a kick-stand. There are other things like proper padding, number plate, and brakes that must be present on the bike at all times when on the track.
When getting started in BMX bikes, remember that you have a higher chance of getting hurt than in regular sports, and it is not a cheap sport to engage in. If you need to start on a small budget, then get a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, riding shoes, helmet, and gloves from the hardware store. Remove the reflectors, kick-stand, and chain guard from your bike and install pads on the top tube, stem, and crossbar. The bike needs a brake that works and a paper plate on the handlebars so you can display your number plate. You must have a number plate, and many bikes have a paper plate number plate. A number plate is absolutely mandatory for getting out on the track. An air pump is also a good idea.