BMX Frame Buyers Guide

BMX Frame Buyers Guide

Everything you need to know before buying your next frame.

Getting a new BMX frame is an exciting time in any BMX rider's journey, with so many options on the market it can be hard to know what to get. Frame geometry has become more specialised honing in on the subgenres of BMX. Whether you are after a short snappy street frame that will be great for spins and technical riding or you're chasing a long wheelbase trails style frame LUXBMX has everything you need when it comes to buying your frame and this guide will hopefully aid you in making a decision on your next bike! 

Step
01.

Top Tube Length

The first thing most people think about when choosing their new frame is the length of the top tube. BMX bikes come in a variety of sizes and aftermarket frames come from 16" all the way up to 24". The length of your top tube will ultimately decide how your bike feels so getting it right is critical, too long the bike could feel harder to maneuver too short and the bike will be too small for the rider.

Step
02.

Chain Stay Length

Chainstay length is the distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre of the rear axle. This length is important to consider when choosing a frame because it changes the way your bike will react in different situations. The standard chainstay length on BMX bikes is between 12.8-14 inches. Street and park frames are leaning towards a short more “snappy” back end. The shorter the back end the closer the bike is together allowing the rider to spin,...

Step
03.

Head Tube Angle

The head tube angle refers to the angle at which the head tube rests. (90 degrees being vertical)  Most BMX frames range between 74-76 degrees headtube angle. The higher the number the steeper the front end will feel, similar to fork offset, the steeper the more responsive it becomes. The more mellow the angle, the less responsive and more stable at higher speeds it will become.

Step
04.

Stand Over Height and Seat Tube Angle

The stand over refers to the height of the tube that holds the seat pole. This height determines the height of the top tube in relation to the angle of the headtube. As trends have changed over the years companies have experimented with very low (6.5") standover heights whereas other brands have gone the other way making standover heights at 9.5". The angle of the seat tube does change the feel of the bike. This is why it is important to...

Step
05.

Price

The talking point of every BMX riders bike should be their frame. For that very reason, the frame can also be quite a big expense. Most 20” BMX frames range between $350- $550 with an exception for American made frames that can go up to $900. Similar to forks, frames use a variety of methods during the manufacturing process that can impact on the cost of the frame. American made parts are more expensive and promote a higher quality product.