Beginners BMX Info
📄 Welcome to the Club – New Rider Information Guide
Hi all,
We’ve received a few emails this week from new rider parents asking about what bike to get, what equipment their child needs, and where to start. To help guide you through those first steps, we’ve put together this information document covering the basics.
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1. Essential Equipment for New Riders
Starting BMX can feel overwhelming, especially when compared to sports like football or dance where you can simply walk into a shop and buy what you need. BMX is a little different, so here is what every rider must have:
🪖 Helmet
• A BMX-specific full-face helmet is required.
• Available from a variety of suppliers with a wide range of prices.
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👕 Upper Body Protection
You have two options:
Option 1 – Body Armour (recommended)
• Covers the torso and elbows.
• More expensive, but offers more protection in one piece.
Option 2 – Elbow Pads
• A cheaper option.
• Riders must wear a race jersey over their protection.
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👖 Lower Body Protection
If wearing race pants:
• Knee pads only advisable but are required underneath.
If wearing race shorts:
• Must wear knee and shin pads.
• Pads must come to around 1 cm above the ankle.
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2. Understanding BMX Bike Sizes for Beginners
BMX race bikes come in a wide range of sizes, including:
Micro Mini, Mini, Junior, Expert, Expert XL, Pro, Pro XL, and more.
Bike size depends on:
• Your child’s height
• Their inside leg measurement (inseam)
• Frame geometry, which can vary between brands
(some frames are longer at the rear, shorter at the front, or have different top tube lengths)
Important:
Every brand has its own manufacturer’s size chart, so always follow the recommended size for that brand.
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3. Factory Complete Bikes vs. Self-Builds
Factory Complete Bike (Beginner option)
• The best and most cost-effective choice for new riders.
• Comes fully assembled with:
• Frame
• Wheels
• Brake
• Components
• Ready to ride straight from the supplier or shop.
Self-Build Bike (Not necessary for beginners)
• Much more expensive.
• Usually for riders who have fully committed and want custom parts.
• Not recommended until you’re sure your child will continue long-term.
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4. Recommended Starter Bike Brands
These brands all offer reliable factory complete BMX race bikes:
• Stay Strong
• Pure
• Meybo
• Haro
• Radio or GT
These are well-known and trusted in the BMX race community.
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5. Before Purchasing a Bike – Speak to Us
We know choosing the right bike can be confusing. At the club, we want to make sure you buy the correct size.
Please speak with a coach or committee member before buying or show us what you are thinking of buying.
• We can check your child’s measurements.
• We can tell you which size to look for.
• This helps you avoid buying the wrong bike.
Even after getting a recommended size from us, still check the manufacturer’s size guide, as sizing can differ between brands.
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6. Price Guide & Where to Buy
💷 Approximate Costs
• Second-hand starter bikes: £200–£400
• Ideal beginner budget: £200–£300
• Brand new complete bikes from shops: £400–£700+
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7. Where to Buy
Second-Hand Options
• BMX Trader (Facebook Group) – great place to find starter bikes.
(We can give you the link on request.)
• Facebook Marketplace
Be careful: many bikes listed are park bikes, not race bikes.
Race bikes are lighter and designed specifically for racing.
If a second-hand bike is in the south of the UK, some committee members / volunteers travel so may be able to can collect it during race weekends.
However, we won’t be travelling again until January, so for Christmas purchases, delivery by courier may be required.
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Shops Selling BMX Race Bikes
• Crucial BMX
• Excellent range of complete builds
• Typically £400–£700+
• Allan’s BMX
• Source BMX
• Both stock race-specific complete bikes
(Links for each can be provided in the post.)
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8. Final Advice
• Your child does not need a high-end bike to begin with.
• Focus first on confidence, skills, and technique on the track.
• Lightness of the bike matters later—at this stage, it’s not essential.
• Always feel free to approach a coach or committee member for help.
We are more than happy to guide you through buying equipment and bikes.
Links:
Second hand pages
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16naCfF6zk/? (Trader)
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BpbPi5H3j/?mibextid=wwXIfr