Starting Off in BMX: Your Guide to Stunts & Tricks 

Biking isn’t just about long stretches of road or sprinting the next hill on your route. Among the hill chasers, long-distance riders, and commuters, there exists another class of cyclist: the BMX bike rider.

BMX, less commonly known as “bicycle motocross”, is the less engine-revved version of motocross sports, done on two wheels powered by you instead of an engine. It features racing, stunting, grinding, flipping across rough cross-country roads, all in the pursuit of doing something sick.  

If you’re thinking about joining this sect of cycling, here are some expert steps to get you started.

Get Geared Up 

First thing’s first: to ride BMX, you’re going to need a BMX bike. There are a couple different types, each suited to a particular BMX discipline (racing or stunting). However, the main difference between the BMX bike and the standard bike is a lack of standard brakes. BMX bikes utilise U-brakes instead, a configuration designed to handle the free-spinning BMX wheels.

However, rather than using the U-brakes, riders typically brake or stop by putting friction on the back wheel with their foot. This is a staple of BMX riding, and one you’ll learn early on!

Make sure you’re also equipped with the right safety gear to keep you in one piece, such as a solid helmet, knee and elbow pads, and durable clothing. You can shop these in our bike accessories range if you’re missing any key elements.

Find a Local Track

They say the best way to learn is to do, and in the case of BMX biking, that’s completely true. The key to a comprehensive BMX education is to get out to your nearest track and just get riding.

Before you start trying to get stunt, first you’ll need to get comfortable with the basics of starting, stopping, and dropping, explained below.

·Starting. Kicking off from a height is best with BMX, as the sport relies heavily on forward momentum and a lack of braking. Your first time on the track, just try to get comfortable going at speed on a new type of bike.

·Stopping. BMX braking uses your foot on the rear wheel, so it’s a fun challenge to adopt a whole new technique.

·Dropping. As with any new sport, you’re most likely going to fail before you succeed. That’s just part of the fun! Make sure you’ve practised how to fall ‘pads first’ if you come toppling off the saddle.

While you’re at your local track, you’ll most likely find some other riders. Luckily, that leads directly into our next point.

Connect with other BMXers

Whether you’re a knitter or a rider, finding a community of people who share your passion or hobby is a fantastic way to develop a deep and abiding love for said hobby. Simply being on the track will connect you with other BMX riders, so be open to that connection; you’ll learn a lot from their experience!

Connecting with riders away from the track is also a great way to keep your eye on upcoming events and races. So, head to Facebook, Reddit, find a Discord Channel, or whatever it is! Discovering ways to connect with the BMX world over social media, and your hobby will evolve into a true passion for stunting.

Our number one tip? Enjoy the ride. Learning something new is always fun and learning how to ride BMX takes it one step further. See you on the track!

Get all the gear you need to start your BMX career at 99 Bikes.