The Significance of a Bike Weight: How Much Does a BMX Bike Weigh?
How much does a BMX bike weigh?
Everyone knows that having a BMX bike has become a pretty rising trend for bike enjoyers, but have you ever thought of BMX bikes’ weight? It is a very important figure that features that kind of bike, and the reasons for it might surprise you. Let’s review this topic in depth.
- 1 The influence of a bike weight on its effectiveness
- 2 Average BMX bike weight
- 3 The difference between lightweight BMX bikes and heavier ones
- 4 Factors affecting a BMX bike’s weight
- 5 An explanation for heavier BMX bikes
- 6 Determination of a perfect BMX bike weight
- 7 Making your BMX lighter
- 8 Types of BMX bikes
- 9 Lightest BMX bikes
- 10 Summary
- 11 Frequently asked questions
The influence of a bike weight on its effectiveness
Originally, BMX bikes were intended for high-speed rides and various tricks. So to be fast and airy we can assume the lighter BMX bikes the faster they are. Surely, this is true, as it does help you to speed up as quickly as possible. And that becomes the reason BMX bikes are that expensive.
Average BMX bike weight
The ordinary weight of a standard-size BMX bike varies between 23 and 28 pounds. The weight range depends on the weight of the materials that manufacturers involve for the bike.
The difference between lightweight BMX bikes and heavier ones
Generally, lightweight BMX bikes are sold for higher prices due to the obligation of using reliable materials to reduce weight. Not only do you sacrifice the price but also its durability since the materials of lightweight BMX bikes are quite sensitive. However, in exchange for the high costs and durability you obtain faster movement and better portability, which becomes a major advantage for street and road racing bikers.
In contrast, Heavy BMX bikes surpass lighter bikes with stability and durability. They are also good for various riding styles.
So, when it comes to comparing both types of BMX bikes, the differences are obvious. However, you should always remember what you are going for, whether it is a lighter bike or a heavier one. Nevertheless, many riders favor balancing out quality and portability.
Factors affecting a BMX bike’s weight
There are several factors impacting a bike’s weight not only negatively but also positively. When asking the question “How much does a BMX bike weigh?” this becomes the first topic to examine.
After reviewing this topic, the answers to questions like “How can I reduce my BMX weight?” or “What components are better to use and why?” will become quite explicit.
Frame materials
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Carbon fiber
Frame material is supposed to be one of the most significant components of a BMX bike since it is the foundation to support the weight of the bike owner. Of course, a more durable BMX bike frame tends to increase the total weight or strength of the BMX bike to hold and maintain the rider for long times during extreme rides.
Which one is better for my BMX bike?
The frame is the major base for BMX bike weight. The materials listed below are considered the most frequent to get involved. And yes, each material has its characteristics and, in the same way, its pros and cons. So you should make sure to investigate this area also when asking “How much does a BMX bike weigh?”
Aluminum
Not expensive while being light and flexible. A good choice for a lighter bike.
Steel
Steel frames are perfect for riders who are seeking durability and stability.
Carbon fiber
The most expensive but also the lightest material among the other materials above. A good option for riders who want to experience a lighter BMX bike.
Despite this, it is worth mentioning such frames as titanium frames and chromoly frames that are most likely to be used on upper-segment light BMX bikes.
Bike parts
- Pedals
- Pegs
- Seat
- Wheels
Steel is a reliable and durable material to use for BMX parts. Manufacturers also use plastic for lighter bikes. However, it might be quite costly due to utilizing high-quality plastic that is still less lasting compared to other analogs.
Pedals add quite a big weight to a BMX bike. The majority use steel pedals for better performance. However, it is always possible to decrease some weight by substituting steel pedals with lighter materials.
Grinding pegs is one part of a bike that requires a longer lifespan. Stainless steel pegs are applied to most BMX bikes to increase their longevity and better performance. However, there is still a way to lessen the BMX bike weight by installing plastic pegs in replacement to the steel ones, but that is not recommended.
The seat is another part of BMX that frequently gets modified. It is not just because of its weight but also for personal comfort. Usually, BMX seats consist of molded plastic hulls with a little addition of polyurethane foam padding and a leather or synthetic cover. Despite this, a lot of riders replace it with a seat that consists of plastic nylon and a carbon cover.
Wheels also contribute to the total bike weight, and they are divided into single-wall rims and double-wall rims. Single wall rim is sufficiently lighter and also tends to be applied in low-cost bikes. While the double-wall rim is thicker and allows aggressive street performance.
Size of the BMX bike
The size of a BMX bike roughly relies on the size of the bike frame. Therefore, the final weight of the BMX will be summarized with the frame size and the materials taken to manufacture the bike.
How do I choose the right BMX bike size?
The answer is simple enough. The frame and wheels take the most both of your bike’s weight and size. For example, a micro-mini frame can maintain a rider’s weight up to 70 lbs, a junior frame takes up to 120 lbs, meanwhile, a weight limit does not restrict a pro frame. Hence, you can simply approach the bike size to your weight, but bear in mind, that the bigger the frame size, the bigger the bike’s weight.
An explanation for heavier BMX bikes
Well, usually it is connected to how cheap components are, like a low-cost metallic frame, cheap bolts and nuts on the joints, or even low-quality tires and seats. However, cheaper components do not affect heavyweight BMX bikes negatively by making them less reliable when compared to more costly and lighter bikes.
Moreover, such heavy BMX bikes tend to have redundant extra or durable stuff like steel pedals, extra seats, extra breaks, and whatnot.
Determination of a perfect BMX bike weight
Surely, there will always be arguments on what weight benefits BMX bikes. However, everything will depend on your riding style.
If you prefer lightweight BMX bikes, then you will have to make sure it is affordable and durable enough. When it comes to a lighter bike, you want to take care of it since it may deteriorate fast due to thinner materials.
If you are a fan of having a solid structure with challenging control, then look at heavy BMX bikes. They tend to use bulky materials, which allow your BMX bike to be more stable on the streets.
If you are new to this, you should not be obsessed with your bike weight since you should first learn the basics of control. At this point, consider Basic BMX bikes or Pro BMX bikes. These models are good for newbies who are just trying aggressive cycling.
As said above, many riders don’t explicitly follow their bike weight or how easy it is to ride BMX, they try to bridge the gap between durability and quality. Perfect weight does not exist!
Making your BMX lighter
The very first step toward making your bike lighter is removing some bike parts that you do not require, such as 2 pegs out of 4, a gyro, and a chain guard.
Another thing that you could do to hit lighter BMX bike weight is to sacrifice some heavy parts with airy ones. For example, you could change aluminum wheel axles with hollow wheel axles to reduce the weight of your bike.
In case you are not experienced and do not want to break something but still have a desire to make your BMX bike lighter, you can always go to your local bike shop to ask for assistance from more experienced people who can choose lighter components for you.
The very extreme way to lower the weight of your BMX is by drilling holes along the bike frame. That’s quite an effective but also a very hated way of lowering the weight since you will most likely end up worsening the bike’s appearance.
Therefore, there is no matter how heavy your BMX originally is, because you can always modify it and get a lighter BMX bike.
Types of BMX bikes
Nowadays, there are many BMX bikes that you can buy. However, what’s the difference between them? There are particular purposes for each model.
A Basic BMX bike is easy to maintain and ride, which makes it a perfect choice for beginners. Quite an average weight of 24 pounds for a BMX bike.
Freestyle BMX bikes are made for people who enjoy doing tricks and trying out an aggressive style of riding. Such a BMX bike weighs about 25 pounds, which is referred to as a heavy bike, although, lighter BMX bikes of that type do exist weighing circa 20 pounds.
A Pro BMX bike is the same thing as a basic BMX bike but with an extra. This type goes well on smooth tracks. Pro BMX bikes weigh around 25 pounds.
Racing BMX bikes are mostly used for road racing. They would fit BMX riders with a will for racing competitions. Racing bikes weigh around 23 pounds.
All the bikes have their ride purposes, so don’t only look at the weight of the BMX, you should also pay attention to its purpose.
Lightest BMX bikes
Crupton BMX is considered the lightest custom bike. It was built by Nick Crumpton using the lightest available materials. The creator also made custom bike parts, like frame, wheels, stem, and other BMX parts. An impressive number of 11.89 pounds reflects the bike’s weight, a truly lighter BMX bike enthusiast!
However, despite the low figure, such a custom build would be quite costly and not affordable for everyone. So ask yourself first if the bike’s weight is worth it.
Summary
Taking all into account, we can now answer the question, “How much does a BMX bike weigh? Is it vital?” The weight of a BMX bike roughly depends on the materials it’s made. However, it’s not only about how heavy the bike is but also about the quality! Light BMX bikes are surely a thing when it comes to competition or controllability but they might not have a longer lifespan than heavier bikes.
Hence, the weight of a BMX bike does not matter, and the choice between lightweight or heavier BMX bikes is up to the personal preference of the rider.
Read Also: Why are BMX Bikes So Small
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is a 20-inch BMX bike?
20-inch BMX bikes weigh around 23.05 lbs.
What’s a good weight for a BMX bike?
There is no certain answer on a good weight for a BMX, as it depends on personal preferences. However, many BMX riders prefer a 25-28 lbs BMX bike.
What is considered a heavy BMX bike?
A BMX bike with an average weight of 25 lbs and above is considered to be heavy. Such types as Pro BMX bikes fall under the category of heavy bikes.
How much weight can a 20-inch BMX bike hold?
A 20-inch BMX bike can hold up to 150 lbs of a rider’s weight.
Hey there, bike lovers! I’m Caroline Wells, your go-to source for all things biking. With a lifelong passion for cycling and a wealth of experience, I’m here to provide you with valuable information, helpful tips, and amazing bike reviews. Join me on this journey as we explore the world of cycling together. Happy riding!