| BMX (bicycle motocross) racing has come a long | | | | 2008. |
| way since it was first conceptualized. In fact, the | | | | Along with the sport, the bikes themselves have |
| humble origins of the sport are often cited as | | | | continued to evolve. Anyone interested in BMX |
| stemming from the motocross documentary, On | | | | biking today has a high and diverse number of |
| Any Sunday, which opened in 1971. The opening | | | | bikes available. Which bike is best for you depends |
| scenes of that movie followed kids on their | | | | on how you plan to ride. |
| Schwinn Sting-Ray bicycles riding dirt tracks and | | | | In essence, BMX bikes are simply a type of |
| imitating motocross riders. | | | | mountain bike designed to excel on off-road |
| Of course, those scenes were based on | | | | surfaces. These bikes feature 18- to 24-inch |
| something that was already taking place. Generally | | | | wheels and are designed to be lightweight and |
| it is recognized that BMX as a sport found its | | | | durable. Their design makes them particularly |
| footing in California. The bicycle races were | | | | suited for racing and tricks. |
| predominantly composed of kids who had the | | | | There are actually three forms of BMX racing, |
| desire to participate in motocross but could not | | | | with specially designed bikes in each category; |
| afford it. Instead, these riders would groom their | | | | namely, racing, freestyle and jumping bikes. |
| own dirt courses and use their bikes. Today's | | | | Whether you want to race competitively or just |
| BMX racing tracks, with inline starts and | | | | have fun on homemade trails, these categories |
| expressive obstacles, trace back to this origin. | | | | can still be helpful for determining which kind of |
| While ever since the invention of the bicycle there | | | | bike is best for you. |
| have been those who attempted innovations and | | | | Racing BMX designs are made specifically with the |
| tricks, most bikes up until this point were designed | | | | idea of speed in mind. They are composed of |
| primarily as a means of transportation. Schwinn's | | | | lightweight frames and feature customized tires |
| Sting-Ray changed that. The Sting-Ray was | | | | designed to excel on off-road surfaces. |
| released in 1963 at a time when custom cars and | | | | Freestyle bikes are very sturdy, with thick |
| motorbikes were becoming popular. It was | | | | frames and pavement-ready BMX tires. These |
| custom-built for riding off-road at high speeds and | | | | bikes are best for riding in skate parks, where |
| landing jumps. These bikes became popular fast, | | | | you can learn and practice stunts and tricks. |
| and quickly became one of the best-selling bikes in | | | | Finally, jump bikes feature strong, sturdy frames, |
| the country. Afterward, more manufacturers | | | | capable suspension systems and knobby tires. As |
| took note and began designing bicycles with similar | | | | the name suggests, they are meant to handle |
| custom features, such as twenty-inch wheels. | | | | jumps comfortably, whether that be as part of a |
| As custom bikes continued to grow in popularity | | | | circuit or a homemade jump in the backyard. |
| and design evolution, riders continued to test the | | | | These bikes are also good on trails. |
| limits of what they could do. As this trend | | | | If you are just starting out riding off-road at high |
| continued into the 1980s, BMX came to be about | | | | speeds, then you may want to start with a racing |
| more than just racing. Riders began to perform | | | | BMX, as these allow you to get out on the track |
| skateboard-style tricks, and this is how the | | | | and will have you learning the basics in no time. It |
| freestyle division of BMX was born. As a result, | | | | is also never a bad idea to contact your local bike |
| new bikes were designed to provide optimal | | | | shop to get advice on which bike will work for |
| conditions for performing increasingly difficult | | | | your purposes and with your build. |
| tricks. | | | | In addition to these categories, bicycle |
| By the 1990s, the sport was nearly ubiquitous. | | | | customization is becoming more widely accessible. |
| BMX was featured as a major part of the | | | | This allows you to tailor your bike to your specific |
| X-Games on ESPN. That trend has continued to | | | | racing and aesthetic desires. Whether you want a |
| the present day, where BMX racing is bigger than | | | | bike you can occasionally take off-road at high |
| ever. The sport has grown to have its own | | | | speeds, or you are looking to become a devoted |
| international governing body, and BMX races took | | | | BMX racer, today's BMX rider has more biking |
| place as an Olympic sport for the first time in | | | | options available than ever before. |