If you are planning to purchase a BMX bike, one of the vital aspects you will need to keep in mind is weight. This is vital since weight has a significant impact on the speed and other functionalities of a BMX bike. Usually, BMX bikes come in different shapes and sizes, which means that they differ significantly.
Although cycling is a vital form of exercise, it is also fun and ideal for riders of all sizes and ages. Some individuals are obsessed with reducing the weight of their bikes; however, the truth is that it will not make a significant difference. So, how much do BMX bikes weigh? To find out, consider reading this article to the end.
How Much Do BMX Bikes Weigh?
A BMX bike weighs approximately 25 pounds. The lighter the bike, the more expensive it is, with some of the most expensive BMX bikes weighing approximately 20 pounds. However, you should note that lighter often does not mean better since it might make your BMX bike feel more fragile and flimsy. You might consider reducing the weight of your BMX bike by upgrading it with some lighter and high-quality components.
If you love performing stunts and jumping high, reducing your BMX bike’s weight is essential. Although the lightest BMX bikes are the most expensive ones, you can always reduce the weight of your bike to best suit your needs. This is a vital process for anyone without sufficient funds to purchase a lightweight BMX bike. However, when customizing your complete BMX bike, you should ensure that you purchase high-quality and lightweight material to reduce the weight of your bike.
What Is The Best Weight for BMX Bikes?
You would want to factor in weight as one of the aspects when looking for a bike. A bike’s weight will influence your speed significantly. The average weight of the bike is said to be within 23 to 26 pounds. This weight is ideal for most newbies.
Lightweight bikes are considered very efficient due to their incredible acceleration speed. In addition to that, a lighter is said to be nimbler and relatively easy to carry. Nonetheless, this is never the case for BMX bikes. Since BMX is designed for off-road, weight alone is not a vital aspect, it is more about quality and the functionality of the BMX. In BMX riding, speed alone will not make you a pro BMX biker; you will also need to factor in stability and quality.
Most BMX riders prefer riding a BMX bike that weighs between 25 to 28 pounds- these are considered the best weight for BMX bikes. When you pick a BMX bike within that weight range, you should expect excellent performance.
Heavy Vs. Light BMX Bikes; Which Is Better?
To better understand which is the best weight for a BMX bike, let’s go through the pros and cons of each weight range;
Lightweight BMX Bike Pros
- They are fast and agile.
- Light BMX bikes have incredible resale value.
- These bikes are ideal for racing, thanks to their incredible speed.
Lightweight BMX Bike Cons
- These types of BMX bikes tend to be very expensive.
- They are ideal for use on smooth tracks only.
- Light BMX bikes tend to be twitchy.
· They are very sensitive to road bumps making them less suitable for off-roading.
Heavyweight BMX Bike Pros
- Heavyweight BMX bikes are very stable.
- They are more durable than their lightweight counterparts.
- These bikes are ideal for all types of styles.
- They are cost-effective.
Heavyweight BMX Bike Cons
- Heavy BMX bikes require more effort and energy to peddle because of their immense weight. However, this makes it ideal for exercising.
- If you are looking for a BMX bike for road racing, then lightweight BMX bikes will be best for you.
Irrespective of the weight range you choose, the preference always depends on you as a rider. Most BMX riders tend to find lightweight BMX bikes being relatively unstable, and they need to be replaced more often, making them very expensive to maintain.
If you think that a heavy BMX bike is not ideal for performing stunts since they require more power and effort to control, well, this is never the case. In fact, most BMX bikers prefer heavyweight BMX bikes since they are stable. Do not just consider the weight of the bike but also its stability when it comes to performing stunts.
The other vital aspect you will need to consider is the durability of a BMX bike. BMX bikes are undoubtedly very expensive; therefore, you would want to purchase a quality product that will serve you for an extended period.
What Components Add Weight To BMX Bikes?
The weight of a BMX bike is the sum of its components. Here are the main components that add weight to BMX bikes;
- Frames
The frame is the largest BMX bike component and is often designed from high tensile steel tubes or Chromoly. Usually, Chromoly frames have greater strength and flex from their tubes while offering top-notch durability. On the other hand, high tensile steel frames are strong; however, they are less flexible and heavy. Therefore, a BMX bike frame made from Chromoly will weigh way less than a frame made from high tensile steel.
· Forks
Like frames, forks are also designed from high tensile steel and Chromoly. Thicker tubing helps absorb significantly high impact; however, the thicker the tubing, the heavier it is.
· Brakes
Brakes are said to increase the weight of BMX bikes. It is due to this that most BMX bikes are brakeless to aid in reducing their weight significantly.
What Is The Maximum Weight Load Of BMX Bikes?
There is no official weight capacity of a BMX bike. This means that you are not heavy to ride a BMX bike. No one is too heavy to ride a BMX bike. Usually, BMX bikes come in an array of frame sizes designed to meet each rider’s requirement. Different frame sizes can withstand different weight loads. Here are the weight capacities standard BMX bikes can carry;
· A micro-mini frame features a weight capacity of 60 pounds.
· A Junior frame is capable of taking a weight load of up to 110 pounds.
· An expert frame, on the other hand, features a weight capacity of 150 pounds.
· The pro frame is designed to take any weight.
Therefore, if you ever think you are too heavy to cycle a BMX bike, you should consider going for a pro frame or visit your local bike shop and ask for advice.
What Is The Weight Of A Pro BMX Bike?
These bikes have been one of the best BMX bikes for ages when it comes to a dirt track. BMX bikes can be adjusted by tire size, frame size, and tube length to best suit the rider’s needs. On the other hand, Pro BMX bikes are designed for bikers over thirteen with a height varying from around five feet six-inch to over six feet.
A basic BMX bike weighs approximately 23 pounds. However, you should note that this depends on the customization of a BMX bike. Usually, BMX road bikers love bikes that are relatively light (approximately 20 pounds). On the other hand, off-track BMX bikers love heavy bikes due to enhanced stability along with top-notch durability. The Pro BMX bikes are categorized under heavy bikes, weighing approximately 25 pounds.
How To Reduce The Weight Of A BMX Bike?
As previously stated, the weight of a BMX bike is all in its parts. Therefore, to reduce the weight of your BMX bike, there are parts you will need to replace. Lightweight BMX bikes are ideal for competitive races. Therefore, if you need to reduce the weight of your BMX bike, here are the vital aspects to consider;
· Frames
As stated earlier, frames are responsible for the most weight of BMX bikes. They are the heaviest component; therefore, if you want to reduce the weight of your bike, you would want to start by changing its frame. Although titanium frames are said to be the lightest, they are very expensive. Due to that, Chromoly frames are said to be perfect for use since they are lightweight and relatively affordable than titanium frames.
· Pedals
Pedals are also responsible for adding a significant amount of weight to a BMX bike. Most lightweight BMX bikes are equipped with pedals made from aluminum or plastic material. On the other hand, heavy BMX bikes incorporate pedals that are made from steel. Therefore, if you want to reduce the weight of your complete BMX bike, you should also consider replacing its pedals with a lightweight material.
· Pegs
Grinding pegs often come with many BMX bikes and are often made of steel to enhance durability. However, in order to reduce the weight of your BMX bike, you would want to take off the wheel pegs and replace them with counterparts.
Final Verdict
There are different BMX bike designs available in the market; this makes it relatively challenging to choose a product that best suits your needs. From heavyweight to lightweight bikes, you should always consider settling for a BMX bike that will best suit your needs. The weight of a BMX bike will be determined by your specified requirements, budgets, and needs. As we conclude this article, we hope that you have found it beneficial and that you have understood how much weight BMX bikes weigh and its effect on their functionality.
