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