Freestyle Vs. BMX Bikes

Freestyle bikes are typically used on the street or at skate and bike parks.

BMX--or bicycle motocross--and freestyle bicycles emerged from a similar history and progressed through many incarnations to become what they are today. Many factors make up the differences between these two styles of riding, but traditionally the similarities of the two sports have aided in the major design advances of the last decade. These two sports traditionally take turns in consumer popularity, and this consistent polarization leads most bicycle companies to manufacture both BMX bikes and freestyle bikes.

History

This is a typical BMX bike design.

According to 23mag.com, BMX bikes, while traditionally an American sport, grew out of motorcycle motocross racing in the Netherlands in the 1950s and freestyle bikes grew out of BMX racing in America in the 1970s. BMX began with children emulating the motorcycle motocross racers beginning to achieve popularity as a sport the world over. Freestyle, as it is known today, grew out of BMX racing as children and young adults grew bored with track racing and moved off the confines of the dirt and out to the street.

Frame Differences

This BMX bike has a box-style aluminum frame.

The major difference in these sports is frame material and geometry. BMX bikes began with heavy steel frames and transitioned through lightweight steel alloys to aluminum and even exotic titanium frames to save weight and create a faster race machine. Freestyle bikes also began with heavy steel frames, but due to the rigors of freestyle riding they have transitioned only to lightweight steel alloys as acceptable frame materials. BMX bikes typically have a slacker head-tube angle, creating a longer, more stable wheelbase over that of a freestyle bike.

Accessory Differences

These freestyle rear wheels have pegs installed on the axles.

The intended use of a BMX bike limits greatly the number of accessories a rider is willing to adopt as added parts mean added weight and slower race times, whereas freestyle riders willingly accept options that will increase their ride capabilities. Freestyle riders almost universally accept gyros--rear brake detanglers--and axle pegs--axle extensions allowing a rider to stand on and perform tricks--where BMX riders typically are interested only in exotic lightweight components as BMX racing prohibits the use of pegs or other accessories that may seriously injure a rider in a race accident.

Safety Differences

This rider should wear a helmet to avoid possible brain injury or death.

Safety requirements for both styles of riding, while similar, experience major rifts in acceptance throughout the community of riders. BMX safety rules are set each year by the National Bicycle League and must be followed by anyone attempting to participate in a BMX race. Freestyle riding is, outside of the X-Games, a largely unorganized sport performed in various locations with few safety concerns beyond using a helmet and pads, and even these safety articles are usually shunned by pros performing for freestyle video recordings.

Similar Trends

This freestyle rider is catching amazing air!

BMX rose to the height of national popularity in the mid 1970s in America. At this time, freestyle emerged and began growing until it surpassed BMX in the mid 1980s, experiencing its largest boom in the 1990s with riders like Dave Mirra influencing young children to aspire to freestyle. As freestyle riding reached its pinnacle in the mid 1990s, BMX experienced a slight forward movement while at the same time racing tracks began to shut down due to the slump experienced in the 1980s. Since then BMX and freestyle have typically alternated in popularity, and both camps continue to aid in the design advancement of the sport as a whole.

References

• 23mag.com: BMX History Early Days
• National Bicycle League