BMX Bikes

BMX bikes are a popular kind of bike for both leisure and are also used to participate in sports. The bikes are popular with children and teenagers, the bikes were first established in the 1970s. The bikes were designed on the basis of motor cross bikes which are used off road, BMX bikes are pedal powered and designed to be light and to provide agility. The frames of the bikes are typically made from steel or aluminium; such materials are used in order to produce a light weight bike which is easy to move in all directions.
BMX bikes are often selected over other bikes due them being light weight which means they can be easily used for stunts and tricks. Starting in the US BMX bike sports became increasingly popular with the bikes being used on ramps usually designed for skateboards. Such sports are known as BMX freestyle, people often compete to prove who has the newest and most difficult stunts. As such tricks and stunts are often dangerous and the potential to fall off the bike is high, many riders choose to wear protective clothing such as a helmet, elbow and knee protection.
Usefully the BMX bike can also be used just like any other bike as it has the same features, two wheels and brakes. Although the bikes may not be suitable for extensive bike trips or where locations are of different gradients, as the bikes do not usually offer different gears. Due to this, the bike is intended as a street bike where riding on a constant similar gradient occurs. The cost of these bikes depends upon the standard required, many can be bought for the similar price to a regular bike and some can be bought for several thousand pounds. People who compete in professional sports normally invest large amounts of money in their bikes, top sports people are often sponsored and therefore have their bikes provided for no charge.
One of the most famous BMX riders who is known as being the equivalent to Tony Hawks in the skateboarding sport, is Dave Mirra. Dave is an America BMX athlete who has helped to increase the profile of the sport greatly, launching a clothing range, a range of bikes and also a games console game. Not only this, but Dave is also regarded as one of the most successful BMX riders in regards to free styling.
Although the BMX sport has become increasingly popular within the UK, it actually began in the United States. Here the sport is very popular and the American Freestyle Association was created in 1982 by Bob Morales. Different kinds of BMX riding were also established including street, vert, trails and flatland. There are also a vast amount of tricks performed on the bikes within categories such as grinds, air tricks and flatland tricks. Some of the more advanced BMX riders also prefer their bike to not have any brakes at all as they believe the brakes just add extra weight to the bike.