Let’s be honest, if you see a bike’s silhouette, and rods are sticking out from the side then you automatically think it’s a BMX bike. BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross.
They first appeared in the late 1970s and became viral in the 1980s and 1990s. They have surpassed skateboards in popularity since they are made to withstand severe punishment and look amazing. While they were originally marketed to kids and teenagers, the adults made it a competitive sport with televised events, and big cash prizes.
In this guide, we get into the best BMX bikes for adults, featured in a quick and easy list with individual reviews for each bike. We have broken everything down, each bike’s features, specs, pros, and cons. Do yourself a favor and follow through!
Quick List for the Best BMX Bikes For Adults
- Best Overall: Mongoose Legion L100
- Best Value: Dynacraft Tony Hawk BMX Bike
- Best Premium: Mongoose Legion L500
- Best Old-School: Schwinn Sting Pro & Predator Team BMX Bike
- Best For Durability: Mongoose Legion Mag
- Runner Up 1: Mongoose Legion L40
- Runner Up 2: Mongoose Legion L60
- Best For Kids: Mongoose Legion L16
- Most Aesthetic Variety: Elite Stealth and Peewee BMX Bike
- Honorable Mention: Hiland Redeem BMX Bike
Top 10 BMX Bikes For Adults
Best Overall: Mongoose Legion L100
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 270 lbs
- Brake Type: U-Brakes
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.4 in
The Mongoose Legion Legion L100 is a BMX bike that has an optimal blend of features, aesthetic design, and price. It comes with the coveted 4130 Chromoly aluminum frame, and a 21-inch top tube, which is the sweet number for BMX bike sizes. The height of the 21-inch top tube remains ideal for keeping the bike balanced at all times. Translating to always being positioned upright no matter the terrain or the weather conditions.
It comes with removable U-brakes which makes it easy for you to do maintenance, reduce damage and get more experienced. It has an alloy chainring with a tubular spindle cranks drivetrain The bike comes with 20 x 2.4-inch freecoaster rear hub tires and has a single-wall front rim with a double-walled alloy rear rim. It’s deep enough to control severe jumps without sustaining damage.
The handlebar is particularly maneuverable, and at only 26 lbs, that’s some pro performance right there.
Pros:
- Pro-level lightweight specs
- Optimal top tube size
- Easy to assemble & maintain
Cons:
- Tad bit pricey
Best Value: Dynacraft Tony Hawk BMX Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 285 lbs
- Brake Type: Rear U-Brake
- Frame Material: Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20, 24 in
The Dynacraft Tony Hawk BMX is a great freestyle BMX bike for beginners and intermediate riders. It comes with a 24 inch wheel model that comes in handy if you’re particularly tall, or have large stature. But it boils down to personal feel, some tall riders have no issue with 20 inch wheels.
The all steel metal frame has a decent carrying capacity, it has alloy rear U-brake for performance. The alloy threadless handlebar stem, and adjustable clamp seat are the reason why some large individuals find it comfortable. It has an OK aesthetic design, nothing to brag about.
One thing about the Dynacraft Tony Hawk bike is the weight. While on one hand, it’s exceptionally durable, with a respectable load capacity on the other hand it’s admittedly heavy. Shifting the weight around can prove challenging for some of you, but it comes at a great price tag though.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Wide positive reception
- Ideal for adults and people with large frames
- Kickstand included
Cons:
- Tad bit heavy
- No pegs included
- Mediocre aesthetic design
Best Premium: Mongoose Legion L500
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 270 lbs
- Brake Type: U-Brakes
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.4 in
The Mongoose Legion L500 is a tremendous freestyle BMX bike. With a weight of 30 lbs, It’s light enough to handle any tricks and jumps of someone just starting and sturdy for those experienced.
The bike comes with 20 x 2.4-inch freecoaster rear hub tires and has a single-wall front rim with a double-walled alloy rear rim. It’s deep enough to control severe jumps without sustaining damage. The aluminum U-brakes will give you precise speed control as the lever has fine sensitivity to your grip. It is equipped with professional tools to assemble rapidly, without breaking a sweat. It comes at a 21-inch top tube length, a great fit for everyone, and with a unique pivoted racing seat.
All of this while having a full 4130 shiny chrome frame, a bit of the ol’ razzle-dazzle.
Pros:
- Double-wall rims
- Sturdy and robust construction
- Strong brakes
Cons:
- Tad bit pricey
- Assumes you know how to put it together
Best Old School: Schwinn Sting Pro & Predator Team BMX Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 250 lbs
- Brake Type: V-Brakes
- Frame Material: Aluminum, Hi-ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.1 in
Storming out of the gates, a blast from the past, a classic, #ThrowBackThursday are the Schwinn Sting Pro and Predator Team BMX bike models! Back in the ‘80s, the Sting was ranked no. 1 by every BMX magazine! It’s such a great design that Schwinn has brought it back many times over the past 40 years! Ask anyone that has been in the game for that long and they will sing its praises.
The top tube of this bike is designed for smooth and comfortable riding. It is 24-inches long, paired with 20 x 2.1-inch tires; you can’t go wrong with it. The frame is made out of durable hi-ten steel, which weighs around 25 lbs, that’s lightweight. You can use the Sting Pro and Predator Team for either racing or performing tricks and stunts, it’s a versatile design. It’s a battle-proven design for the ages. What more could you ask for?
Pros:
- Old-school design
- Great price tag
- Highly improved design over 40 years
- Perfect sizing
- Ranked No.1 by BMX magazines
Cons:
- *Cricket noise*
Best For Durability: Mongoose Legion Mag
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 250 lbs
- Brake Type: U-brake
- Frame Material: High-ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.3 in
The Mongoose Legion Mag freestyle BMX bike is particularly durable. The bike has a BMX design with a low-slung seat that makes it highly durable and enduring. The U-brake system delivers extended stopping power to the rear Mag wheels.
The Mag wheels come with sealed bearings, the handlebar can spin around with the cable detangler allowing you to keep the freestyle going. It also comes with 4 pegs, 2 in the front and 2 in the back for elaborate tricks.
Despite everything, it is an easy to control one-speed bike. The hi-tensile steel frame used in the Legion Mag makes it a lighter-weight bike that cruises naturally down the street which is always an indicator of great design. If you’re mechanically inclined, then putting this bike together will be a breeze, but if you aren’t, be prepared to spend some time on it.
You might as well send it to a professional shop and have them put it together, after that it can take the tumble.
Pros:
- Broad appeal
- Sturdy & solid construction
- Great aesthetic design
- Tremendous price point
- Front & Rear pegs
Cons:
- Uncomfortable seat
- Confusing & difficult instructions and assembly
Runner Up 1 on the list is the Mongoose Legion L40
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: 260 lbs
- Brake Type: U-Brake
- Frame Material: High-ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.3 in
The Mongoose Legion L40 BMX bike has a really interesting aesthetic design. The 3 different models have a special paint job that goes beyond simple color schemes. The Legion L40 has all the components for freestyle riding. It has quality parts and detailed engineering that delivers a riding experience that punches up.
Admittedly heavy, but you get a highly stable BMX bike, so that’s somewhat of a fair trade-off. The frame is made out of high-ten steel, with the top tube measuring 20.5 inches in length. The wheels are 20 inches in diameter with 2.3 inches in thickness with a single-wall front and rear rim. The tire treads are multi-purpose although the lack of deep grooves means better urban-oriented performance.
It doesn’t come with 4130 Chromoly parts or a pivotal seat. These are upgrades in other editions of the Legion series.
Pros:
- Ideal for freestyling
- High stability
- Great price tag
- Special aesthetic design
Cons:
- Tad bit heavy
Runner Up 2: Mongoose Legion L60
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: N/A
- Brake Type: U-Brake
- Frame Material: High-ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.3 in
The Mongoose L60 is designed for great performance at a mid-range level, which has earned popularity as BMX bikes go. It has a minimalistic design that just looks good without trying too hard. Which explained the popular appeal.
The frame is made from high-tensile steel, at a weight of around 26 lbs. It’s not the lightest but the weight is well within the range for a freestyle bike, so it has stability without overdoing it. Steering the handlebar is crisp and responsive, without being unstable. The larger 20 x 2.3-inch tire profiles and rear U-brake combine to create a smooth feel that is also highly controlled. With these types of tire specs, you can do jumps and feel the very little shock on impact.
For some reason the Legion L60 doesn’t come with pegs, which is weird for a freestyle bike, also the lack of a rotating hub limits the type of spinning tricks you can do.
Pros:
- Minimalist aesthetic design
- Popular choice
- Smooth & controlled steering
Cons:
- No pegs
- No rotating hub
Best For Kids: Mongoose Legion L16
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: N/A
- Brake Type: U-Brakes
- Frame Material: Hi-Ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 16 x 2.3 in
The Mongoose Legion L16 BMX bike was designed for kids. This can be a great bike for your kids’ birthday or for the holidays. If you’re a parent that was into BMX as a sport, this is a great beginner-friendly bike for your kid.
Right off the bat, the Legion L16 dimensions are basically tailored to children. The top tube has a length of 15.3 inches, with tires 16 inches in diameter, and 2.3 inches in thickness. What this means is that your kid can comfortably ride this bike and can reach the ground with their feet. You can even be 6 ft tall and still ride this bike comfortably, let alone being a short kid.
It’s a lightweight bike that your kid can easily practice all kinds of tricks on, it’s a bummer that it doesn’t come with pegs. While the assembly is easy, some parents would complain that it’s “too complicated”.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Great price point
- Great gift idea
- Lightweight & durable
- Comfortable dimensions
Cons:
- Included pegs would have been nice
- You might find it difficult to assemble
Most Aesthetic: Elite Stealth and Peewee BMX Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: N/A
- Brake Type: U-Brakes
- Frame Material: Hi-Ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.4 in
The Elite Stealth and Peewee BMX bike have the most interesting and diverse color variations on our list. It comes in exciting 2 tone color schemes that spice it up, rolling with this one off a ramp will definitely catch people’s eyes. Although, don’t think that it’s just a pretty bike!
The frame is high tensile steel and Chromoly components, at only 29 lbs, it has the sweet spot for durability and maneuverability. The handlebar has an unsealed headset that gives you a smooth turning. With 20 inches in diameter and 2.4 inches in thickness, the micro-knurled tires are optimal for urban environments.
Another great highlight of this bike is the comfortable seat with extra thick foam padding which is handy when going for long rides or jumps.
Pros:
- Aesthetic variety
- Easy to put together
- Durable construction
- Comfortable seat
Cons:
- No pegs included
Honorable Mention: Hiland Redeem BMX Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Max Load Capacity: N/A
- Brake Type: U-Brake
- Frame Material: Hi-ten Steel
- Wheel & Tire: 20 x 2.35 in
The Hiland Redeem is the prototypical BMX bike for beginners who are just getting into freestyling. It comes in 6 singular color variations, which is… basic.. but in a good way! It’s hard to go wrong with basic color patterns.
The high tensile steel frame and fork are robust yet ride smooth thanks to handlebar threading.
Specifically, the unsealed metal rollers are what give the smooth turn when you need to react on a sharp turn or when performing a trick. The long top tube makes the Hiland Redeem a good choice if you’re particularly tall.
The alloy rear U-brake is functional and will do the job and won’t get in your way. Now, a notable thing about this BMX bike is the 4 pegs that come included when you get it. It’s always a nice touch when a freestyle bike comes with pegs… like it was intended!
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Pegs included
- 6 color patterns
- Ideal for tall individuals
Cons:
- Seems a bit bland
BMX Bike Buying Guide
It’s only natural to get a bit more familiar with the differences between the BMX bikes. This way you can have a better understanding. Ultimately it will help you choose the best BMX bike and the most useful to your particular needs.
Where will you ride?
Street
If you’re going to ride in urban environments with asphalt paved roads then it’s best that a BMX bike is capable of withstanding that consistent low abuse. In this type of environment, a heavy bike will do the trick, as they are robust enough to handle it.
Flatland
Flatland BMX bikes come with the well-known pegs on the front and rear wheels. The pegs give you tremendous possibilities for doing stunts and tricks, just let your imagination flow and freestyle!
Flatland BMX bikes also have inverted and regular seat posts, which allows you to have that 360° rotation capability and not get tangled up or lose momentum. They are comfortable with enough space for you to cross sides and also the back center helps with rolling backward.
Dirt
One of the most common competitions in BMX bike riding is dirt jumping. In this competition, riders take a couple of jumps in the air. So choosing a BMX bike that can withstand the pressure upon landing is the best thing to do, an example is a BMX bike with 20-inch tires with 36 spokes.
Courses
Just like motocross, it takes place on short tracks, which means that a BMX bike needs to have maximum acceleration and speed to win the competition. A BMX bike with a really big chainring allows you to ride faster and accelerate, but you will need a certain type of brake configuration, tires that can grip the road, and the lightest overall weight.
Features to consider when buying a BMX bike for Adults:
Size
BMX bikes start at 20-inch wheels with top tubes ranging from 20.5 inches to 21.25 inches, these measurements are totally fine for people as short as 5.2 ft or 1.60 m, there are of course BMX bikes with 22, 24, and 26-inch wheels. But the bike’s size is estimated by the length of the top cylinder, the one that spans from the seat to the handlebars. Naturally the bigger the top tube range, the more comfortable it will be for larger, taller individuals.
Heading & Edges
Headings are little rings with metal balls inside that allow you to rotate or pivot points around the object of your route. They are either unsealed or sealed. The unsealed headings are more affordable, but they easily degrade. Sealed headings, on the other hand, are more robust and can take all the abuse you can throw at them, granted at a higher price
Edges come in single, double, or triple-walled options. Every time you upgrade the walls of your edge, you’ll be increasing its grounding ability to avoid premature clasping from constant pressure.
Frame Material
There are three main types of materials used to construct BMX bike frames: aluminum, chromoly steel, and titanium. Each has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks that make it better or worse for different types of riding. Here’s a quick rundown of each material type:
- Aluminum is the most common frame material due to its low cost and weight. Aluminum frames are typically lighter than steel or titanium frames, but they’re also more susceptible to damage.
- Chromoly steel is the most common type of steel used in BMX bike frames. It’s stronger and more durable than aluminum, but it’s also heavier.
- Titanium is the strongest and lightest of the three materials, but it’s also the most expensive. Titanium frames are rare and are typically only found on high-end BMX bikes.
Center Points & Hubs
BMX bike hubs are the center point of the wheel. They come in four different types: freewheel, cassette, freecoaster, and coaster brake.
- Freewheel Center Point: allows you to coast when not pedaling. The cog and the ratchet are a singular part that is threaded on the hub.
- Cassette Center Point: just like a freewheel allows you to coast when not pedaling. The major difference is that the ratchet is inside the hub and not part of the cog. This translates to lighter weights and convenient maintenance.
- Freecoaster Center Point: allows the rear wheel to coast backward.
- Coaster Brake Center Point: this allows you to brake the bike when you pedal backward. It is not ideal if you’re specifically looking for a freestyle BMX bike.
Brakes
BMX bikes are all equipped with Rim brakes. Rim brakes are the original brake system for bikes, they are lightweight and compact. They sit above the wheel and when squeezed, apply friction to the surface along the rim’s perimeter. This increased friction will decrease the turning speed of the wheels and you’ll slow down.
The most prevalent brake designs on a BMX bike are coaster brakes and various rim brakes, including V- and U-brakes depending on the clamp’s form.
A coaster brake is activated by cycling backward. Incorporated within the back hub is the brake. When it comes to BMX bikes, they are a little bit of an uncommon sight.
A rim brake: On race BMX bikes, V-brakes, also known as direct-pull brakes, are typical. For BMX racing, they are used since they are lightweight and have strong braking. V-brakes on BMX bikes are not advised since they are more likely to be damaged and are not ideal for freestyling.
The most common brake on freestyle BMX bikes is the u-brake. These brakes’ primary benefit is that they remain in place.
On freestyle BMX bikes, u-brakes are the most common type. The key benefit of these brakes is that they don’t block traffic. This is helpful for all freestyles, of course. When you push the lever on a U-brake, the cables pull on the brakes and the friction slows you down. A U-brake features ‘C’ shaped clamps that cross over the tire.
Tires Type
BMX tires come in three different types: smooth, knobby, and multi-purpose.
- Smooth BMX tires are the optimal choice on flatland and are not popular for anything else.
- Knobby BMX tires are thicker and come with large grooves or knobbs built into them. This type of tire is optimal for dirt jumping and dirt tracks in general since they offer tremendous ground traction.
- Multi-Purpose BMX tires are a hybrid of the previous two. While they are smooth enough for flatland riding, they have enough knobbs and bumps to handle dirt tracks, although not as well as true knobby tires. Multi-purpose tires are not uniform, different manufacturers may lean on one side of the spectrum more than the other, so you’ll find a lot of variety.
Further considerations are the thickness and air pressure of the tires.
Generally, the lower the air pressure, the softer and more flexible the tires are. A tire pressure between 40-70 PSI is optimal for tricks, stunts, and easy landings on jumps. A tire pressure that goes beyond 90 PSI makes the tire tight, this improves contact with the ground and allows you to accelerate faster.
Most BMX bikes have tires between 1.5-3 inches in thickness. Tire thickness and tread pattern make a tremendous difference, and not simply tire thickness. While a tire can be 2 inches in thickness, the knobby tread pattern makes it better for dirt tracks than a 2.5-inch tire with smooth treads. It’s not a vacuum.
BMX Bike Gearing
Something that you might have not guessed is that a BMX bike’s gearing system is entirely different from your typical bike. BMX bikes are single-speed bikes.
For example, if the gear is taller, then the ratio needs to be larger between the tooth count of the cog and the sprocket. If this ratio is smaller, then that means the gearing is short. If the bike’s gearing is tall, pedaling will be harder because there are fewer cranks to increase acceleration but you can achieve a faster top speed. It’s way easier to pedal with short gearing since you have more cranks for a sweet spot of cruising speed.
- Short gearing is optimal for flatland because they offer greater control for stunts, tricks, and jumping.
- Tall gearing is optimal for BMX racing because their sprockets have more teeth and a taller gear ratio.
BMX Categories
BMX Categories
There are many BMX bikes on the market, but there are two major types of BMX bikes: Freestyle & Dirt Jumper.
Freestyle
These BMX bikes are designed for freestyle riding and trick riding. To survive all the rumble and tumble, they feature strong frames and thick tires. For simplicity, they already have pegs on the front and back, so you won’t have to search for and add more.The wheels are usually either “mag” wheels made of sturdy nylon, or with 48 wire spokes.
Dirt Jumper
The frames and other components of BMX bikes designed for dirt jumping tend to be significantly lighter, and the heavier the bikes are, the more expensive they are. When it comes to BMX riding, weight is everything. A lighter weight enables you to push more forcefully and quickly, providing you an advantage over others. In order to make greater touch with the earth and ensure a safe landing without losing velocity, they naturally come with thinner tires with deeper treads.
Adult BMX Cost
An entry-level BMX bike for an adult hangs around at a price range of less than $500, and you can even find BMX bikes that cost as little as $200. But as you progress from entry-level to mid-range then you are paying for performance, the name of the game is weight. Lightweight is the main determiner of price when it comes to BMX bikes.
In the mid-range or over $600, frames are usually of Chromoly 4130, a more durable and lighter alternative to high-tensile steel. The braking system is designed for stunts, and perhaps both wheels might even come with sealed bearings.
On the high-end you are easily spending over $900, with BMX bikes costing you $3000, granted if you are at the point where you need this type of performance out of a BMX bike, it’s safe to say you have the knowledge and understanding to just build one yourself. Basically, you order top-shelf custom parts and put them together to create one entirely special BMX bike, that’s perfectly tailored to your specifications. That’s what most committed pros do.
Best BMX Bike Brands
- WeThePeople creates a variety of bikes. But their specialty is high–end BMX competitive bikes. They have people on their team that has been in the BMX game for decades, so pretty much every product is run through by pros. Their whole ethos is “By us for us”.
- Haro was founded by none other than Bob “Bobby” Haro in the early ‘80s. He is an OG who is credited for introducing freestyling to the BMX world. He basically elevated the whole industry to a higher standard than before. Although with some bumps along the way by different mergers, Haro Bikes maintains a tremendous reputation to this day. Back in the 90s, they introduced major events that cemented their brand with BMX bikes and riders who would conquer multiple X-Games and World Championships.
- Mongoose has been making all kinds of great bikes since the mid-’70s. Now, Mongoose caters to two BMX markets: a higher-end collection sold exclusively where you need to be introduced and a beginner-friendly one where everyone can get their first steps to glory. Major “I know someone, who knows someone” vibes.
- Micargi specializes in electric two-wheeled transportation machines, not to be confused with electric bikes. They have been in the game since the early 2000s and have been making good hits with special engineering. Brining in the tech, to an old-school design.
- Diamondback came into the Washington scene in the late 70s, Diamondback Bicycles was originally just a BMX bike company before channeling its efforts to mountain bikes and then road bikes. Which in their own right, are very good. What they bring to the game are mid-range, intermediate BMX bikes that anyone can get. They bring quality to people that want to get introduced to the sport.
- Kink had its humble beginning first as a parts-maker for bikes. Eventually, they began producing complete bikes for experienced riders. With a steady increase in appetite yet not forgetting their roots, they still offer a large variety of spare and replacement parts. Naturally, they have a neck for fine-tuned BMX bikes since they have the means to make alterations to proven designs, to get an edge over the rest.
FAQ
Q: What size BMX bikes do adults use?
A: Adult-size BMX bikes start at 20-inch wheels with top tubes ranging from 20.5 inches to 21.25 inches, these measurements are totally fine for people as short as 5.2 ft or 1.60 m. If you’re particularly large then go for 22, 24, and 26-inch wheel BMX bikes as they will feel better when riding.
Q: What gear should you wear when riding a BMX?
A: Right off the bat a helmet is a must, no discussion. A pair of full-finger gloves must be worn on your hands, and a full-sized shirt, and pants, these will protect your skin in case you fall off and don’t want to be scrapped or get your skin caught somewhere. Alternatives are goggles, elbow, and leg guards, which are highly recommended if you are riding on a dirt track, racing, or doing fairly risky stunts.
Q: What is a bash guard and is it necessary?
A: Bash guards are basically protective pieces of metal that are used on BMX bikes to prevent debris and rough contact with obstacles from damaging the chainrings. The bash guard is located on the backside of the chainring, and it’s ridiculously handy if you’re doing stunts on concrete edges or rails. For example, if you do a sick rail slide, without a bash guard at best you break the discs, the bashguard takes the contact and allows you to slide down without much worry.
The Finish line
We would highly recommend the Mongoose Legion L100 is the best overall because it has the most optimal blend of features, specs, and price. While highly affordable, the Dynacraft Tony Hawk BMX Bike is our best value option if you are working with a budget and want to get the most. But if you want to step it up, then look no further than the Mongoose Legion L500 as it offers you premium features. Fret not because we have included other options that might be more to your speed!
We have concluded a buying guide for the best BMX bikes for adults, this is so you can be better informed. You might have different needs than someone else. We have reviewed each model individually for its features, specs, pros, and cons of each one of them. This way you can quickly compare between them and choose on the spot.
After all, we want you to spend less time researching and more time having fun biking and living to the fullest.
Do be part of the pack and check out some more articles if you liked this one and found it helpful!