Looking for a BMX frame?
Whether it's swapping out your tired current frame, or upgrading your complete bike frame to an aftermarket BMX frame, there's no better feeling than bolting on a new BMX frame.
Riding a new BMX frame can be the best investment you've ever made in your riding lifetime. The sturdiness and 'pop' you feel is unlike anything else.
But..
There's a lot of options, a lot of features, a lot of geometry.. a lot of things to get confused by.
Take yourself from unsure, to confident that you'll be choosing the absolute best BMX frame for your needs.
3 easy ways to find the best BMX frame for you:
- Find the right top tube length:
Does the frame you're about to buy have the top tube that suits your height style of riding?
You don't want to feel cramped and you don't want to feel like you're riding a cruise liner, either.
Let's start by saying this is a guide only, it's going to be up to the individual at the end of the day!
But here's how we work it out.
As a standard, a general rider 180cm (5ft 10inch) should ride a 21" top tube frame with a 0.1" deviation +/- (20.9" - 21.1")
For every 5cm (2 inches) taller, you should move up 0.25" in top tube (tt) length.
Similarly, for every 5cm shorter, you should move down 0.25" in tt length.
Example: General Rider 170cm tall = 20.5" tt (20.4" - 20.6" tt)
Variants: If you are a BMX rider who rides trails or prefers to jump stuff, you would add 0.25 inches to the top tube length.
Example: Rider 185cm tall has a standard 21.25" tt (21.15" - 21.35" tt) + top tube increase for jumping of 0.25 inches =
New recommended size 21.4" - 21.6" tt
There will always be individual preference, but if this is your first BMX frame buying experience, we'd suggest breaking out the calculator so you can make sure you're looking at the best size BMX frame for your needs. - Choose the right features:
If you do a lot of grinding and street riding, make sure the frame you're drooling over has things like:
- Ovalized or dent resistant down tubes. Some frames even offer ovalized chainstay tubing for extra toughness
- Chain tensioners to keep your wheel in place while grinding (because that peg wants to spin loose while you're grinding)
- A higher bottom bracket can be beneficial for certain grinds
- A shorter chainstay length can help for spins in and out of grinds.
- Some frames are fully brakeless (no removable brake tabs) for an even cleaner look.
If you're a park rider, features you may want to look out for:
- Frames that offer removable or welded (very rare) gyro tabs
- A lower standover (8 inches or less) can help with getting your legs over while tailwhipping
- Steeper head angles (75°+) can help with rotational tricks
If you're the type of rider to be tearing through the deep end of a concrete bowl, or sweating it out riding trails, then no doubt you'll want:
- A mellower head tube angle (74.75° or less) to keep your bike feeling stable while going fast
- Chainstay brake mounts for the classic trails look
- Disc brake mounted trail frames are now appearing for an easier way to stop if things go wrong
- Taller stand over height can give your bike a more stable feel
- Lower BB heights (11.625" or less) will give you a lower center of gravity and more stability at higher speeds
- Gussets play a crucial role in trusting your frame while riding big sets. - Are you choosing a new BMX racing frame?
You can race just about any frame (as long as the abillity to run brakes), but if you're in the market for a specific BMX race frame, then a bunch more factors come into play.
While the features and geometry plays just as much of a factor for your new racing frame, it is important to make sure that your frame will build up to your existing parts.
Pay special attention to:
- Head tube size (1 inch, 1-1/8" or tapered 1-1/8" - 1.5") as this will determine how easy your current forks and headset will fit.
- Seat tube diameter can vary between brands and sizes, so double check the size will meet your needs, or buy a suitable seat and post as well as the correct seat post clamp.
- Bottom brackets can vary between sizes and brands, so make sure you can get a BB to suit your cranks.
- Does your new BMX race frame use disc brakes or V-Brakes? Make sure you can use the brakes you intend to, including any adapters in your cart.
Now you are ready to get a new BMX frame.
If you have any questions or are trying to find a product that isn't showing up on the website, 99.9% of the time we can get it (or we have it and it's not showing), contact us with anything BMX frame related and we'll sort you out.
