BMX race bikes are simple, strong, and light. They have only one gear, and only one brake (on the rear wheel). There is no suspension (it would soak up all your speed!). Frames are usually made from aluminium, but you will also see chromium-molybdenum steel (“cromoly”), and titanium. Carbon-fibre components including forks, handlebars, cranks, and seatposts are becoming increasingly common. Frames and components come in a wide range of sizes to suit all ages and sizes of rider.
There are two “classes” of BMX race bike:
20 inch BMX:
This is the “standard” BMX bike – the 20 inch refers to the diameter of the wheels. They are agile and quick-steering, and are raced by all ages of riders – race classes for 20 inch range from “6 and under” to “30+”.
Cruiser BMX:
These have 24 inch diameter wheels. They are less agile, but more stable, than 20 inch bikes and are often favoured by physically larger riders or those from a mountain bike background (the standard mountain bike wheel is 26 inch diameter, so a cruiser feels like an agile mountain bike). Cruiser race classes range from “12 and under” to “40+”.
The two classes of bike do not usually race each other - the exceptions to this are “Open” race classes held at some of the larger race meetings, and “Formula” racing (such as that run by the East Anglia region for its winter race series) which groups riders solely into age bands regardless of bike class. Some racers compete in both 20 inch and cruiser classes – so they take two bikes to race meetings, and they need the fitness to do twice as much racing on the day!
BMX Cycling race takes place on designed paths. Cycling BMX is governed by International Cycling Union. BMX Cycling debuted in Olympics in 2008 Olympic Beijing. 2012 London Olympic will witness BMX Cycling being competed on 8th, 9th & 10th August at BMX Track, Olympic Park.
Olympic Cycling BMX Tickets can be purchased from
Sport Ticket Exchange at nominal prices.
