A Breif History Of BMX Bikes

It started in the early 1970s, Bicycle motocross or popularly known as BMX bikes have been used in races and in performing stunts all over the world.

Organizations have been formed to support this type of interest of some people. The National Bicycle League which was formed in 1974 was a non-profit bicycle motocross organization founded by George E. Esser in Florida. In 1977, the ABA (American Bicycle Association) was created to further support the growing sport. Then in 1981, the International BMX Federation was formed wherein they held their very first competition in 1982. Just this 2008, the very first BMX category joined the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing with two categories: one for Male and one for Female. And the very first to won the gold medals were from Latvia and France.

These BMX bikes are a sport for some, but for the rest they just ride them for fun. As a sport, BMX bikes can be expensive since the riders may invest a lot to make their bikes better. A unit can range from $150 to more than $3,000. There are also a few companies who have been manufacturing BMX bikes. To mention a few, we have Schwinn, GT, Haro and the more known to plenty, YAMAHA.

BMX bikes quiet differ from the normal bicycles. They are smaller in built but their wheels are bigger which are better for the riders to use when driving them in bumpy and rough roads. Some companies also manufacture specially designed BMX bikes to cater their customers’ needs.

When showing of stunts, BMX bike riders usually follow what the skateboarders do except they are using these much bigger units compared to the skateboards. BMX bikes are much harder to control since they are heavier as to the skateboards. Practice is a huge part so that there are stunts are delivered perfectly. Others are even getting paid to this. Some compete where they earn recognition in different sectors. For the more professional, they get to hop from cities to cities, to other countries to display their talents.

The more common term to this stunt showcase is called Freestyle riding where riders are allowed to show off their unique talents in riding their BMX bikes up in the air and on the ground illustrating different moves and stunts. Crowds usually are wowed by the excitement being shown by the riders.

BMX bikes can give us the speed, the power and the excitement however we should be aware of the safety measures to be considered. So start joining the thrill of this sport but always be cautious.

July 20 2009 | cycling | No Comments »

Pocket Bike Parts For Personalization

Pocket bikes today come off the assembly line and are not built with the same heart and grit they once were. Still there are pocket bike enthusiasts who prefer something a little more customized than the standard mass produced toys in the market today. For these people, there are a number of shops who specialize in supplying parts for pocket bikes and many of them also sell their inventory online.

The parts that are available can be categorized by their contribution and function to the entirety of the pocket bike. There are engine parts that are specific to the functions of the engine, frame parts that are specific to the exterior and body of the bike, and there are performance parts that are upgrades of parts that already exist. Together they can totally change the way a pocket bike looks and rides.

The pocket bike engine is very similar to a lawn mowing engine and differs only in the build. The common law mower and pocket bike engines are both usually four stroke and about the same size. However, you can’t build a pocket bike with a lawn mowing engine because the engine shaft is aligned in different directions.

What you can do, however, is find an engine that is specially built for pocket bikes. These engines are now improved for the specialized needs of a pocket bike. Double stroke engines are easily available at most bike shops and offer around 49cc of power. You can also find something that has 110cc for larger bikes like the super pocket rockets.

The frames makes up what most would consider the body of the bike. It is the visible shell that gives it the stunning look as well as the interior skeleton that holds the pieces together. It also includes the seats and tired. Anything that can be seen visually can be part of the frame and it is what supports the weight of the bike itself and its rider.

Performance parts range from simple amateur mods to professional mods. These are any customizations that give the bike more power by optimizing its performance and making it more fun for the rider. This can be small things like changing the air filter to more advanced modifications such as a two piece compression head kit or changing the reed cage. The great thing about these parts is that the owner can do as much or as little and get correlating improvements to his bike.

Accessories are also available and put in a category of its own because it doesn’t serve the performance or functioning of the bike directly. Accessories are things like LCD screens and upgraded seating which do nothing to improve the bikes performance but does improve the rider’s experience.

Pocket bike parts allow the owners to customize their bikes to their hearts content. Some would even buy a kit and build it themselves. For hands on pocket bike enthusiasts, the only limit is their imagination and wallet.

July 09 2009 | bikes | No Comments »