The BMX sport was inspired by motocross racing back in 1960 when kids raced their bikes like motocross riders. At the start, the main purpose of BMX was racing like motocross. BMX riders put their bikes in racing, so BMX bikes are supposed to be faster.
How fast can a BMX bike go? The first question that will probably come to your mind while buying a new BMX bike is. Yes, BMX bikes can go fast and it needs to be fast. The top speed of a BMX bike is 35 mph (56 kph), which is more than enough for comparison with mountain bikes.
The primary purpose of BMX was racing and performing stunts with it. For racing, BMX bikes should be fast. For tricks, it should be small and lightweight.
Despite this, people underestimate the speed of BMX bikes because of their small size.
Now let’s take a closer look at what the speed of the BMX bike is, and let’s discover how we can increase the speed of our bikes.
Are BMX Bikes Fast?
A real BMX was used for racing like a motocross, as mentioned above. Later on, this sport spread into multiple types like dirt, vert, freestyle, and street BMX.
Due to the small size of BMX bikes, one might wonder whether BMX bikes are fast. Yes, BMX bikes can be high-speed and can get speeds up to 30 to 35 mph. Depending on the energy and tricks of the rider how fast they can ride.
The speed of the BMX bikes could be affected by their designs and purposes. You might not get the same speed on a BMX bike designed for park or flatland-type riding as you would on a racing bike.
How Fast Can A BMX Bike Go?
How fast can a BMX bike go? Till now we understand that the primary purpose of BMX is racing and stunts, that’s why BMX bikes need to be fast.
Nevertheless, we want to know exactly how fast can a BMX bike go, and we would like to know in detail. BMX bikes have different speeds depending on their designs and their intended use. As we earlier mentioned the average speed of the BMX bike i.e. 30 mph but many experienced riders hit more speed than that.
In terms of speed, the fastest BMX bike can be very fast, as they are designed to be lightweight, which could eventually enable them to accelerate quickly. does a BMX tire width matter when it comes to speed?
A BMX bike’s speed may also depend on how well the rider pedals, the tempo, and the power of the rider. There is no doubt that a pro-BMX rider can reach speeds of up to 50 mph when on the track.
Why Is A BMX Bike Fast?
As explained how fast can a BMX bike go, BMX bikes were designed to achieve speed for racing, and BMX bikes are lightweight for that purpose. The reason BMX bikes are fast is that stunts require the bike to be fast.
It is important to know that the making of BMX bikes involves the use of multiple materials, which are listed below:
Chromoly Steel:
The most common metal used to make BMX bike frames is Chromoly steel. It can help in keeping the weight of the BMX bike light and durable for a longer time.
BMX bikes designed with Chromoly steel are affordable and are more likable among many riders.
Aluminum:
Aluminum is another common metal that helps in keeping the weight of BMX bike light during manufacturing. Aluminum BMX bikes could be a good choice for beginners and they can be a little expensive.
Titanium:
Titanium is the most robust of all other types of metals to help design the lightweight BMX bike frame. The only cons of the Titanium BMX bike are that it will be more expensive as compared to Chromoly steel and aluminum bikes.
How To Make Your BMX Bike Faster:
How fast can a BMX bike go? and how can we make it faster? Stunts and racing are the ultimate goals of BMX, which means you need a faster bike. Initially, new bikes will get you the results you want, but over time they will challenge your speed when you push them too hard.
It doesn’t mean that you can not modify it to improve its speed. There are some features that you need to check with time so that your bike won’t create any trouble in speeding.
To maintain the speed, the following measures should be taken.
Seat Posting:
You can get the maximum speed if you can push the pedal quickly and properly. If your seating pose is accurate, you can reach your pedals fast.
BMX bikes generally have shorter seats, which is preferable and acceptable for speed. Since you have to stand and pedal the whole time.
Checking gears:
To efficiently execute your stunts, for that gear adjustment is necessary. It might seem complex work if done by yourself but it can be easily learned with time. If you don’t want to do it by yourself then you need to do it with someone experienced.
Lubricate Chain:
The chain of your bike is the main component that will help you to keep your BMX bike fast. It would be best if you had regular care of your chain, as it gets the dirt while performing stunts off-roads or racing on them which causes jams due to friction.
The well-oiled chain will help you to ride your BMX bike smoothly, get you a more speedy ride, and will help you to get rid of mud and dust.
Checking tire pressure:
Tires play a primary role in riding bikes, your bikes could encounter damage in case of low tire pressure. Low tire pressure can also slow down your bike which we want to avoid.
With all the precautions mentioned above, monitoring your bike’s tire pressure is extremely important. Balanced tire pressure will give you a smooth and easy ride. You need to give proper attention to your tire pressure.
Conclusion:
There is one thing we all want from our BMX bikes and that is speed and thrill. BMX is a complete package of fun when speed and thrill are combined.
It depends on the bike and a rider’s stamina how fast a BMX bike will go; the more experienced the rider the faster the bike will go.
Bikes designed for BMX are designed to be fast and perform stunts.
You can make your BMX bike faster by taking proper and regular monitoring of the bike. A clean bike will help you to be smooth and fast, it will be also durable for a long time.
FAQs:
1. Can you ride BMX long distances?
Yes, BMX bikes can be ridden for long distances with the right gearing and fitness level. BMX bikes are designed for short bursts of high-intensity riding. However, with some modifications like adding multiple gears, smooth tires, and suspension, they can be made more suitable for long-distance endurance riding.
2. Are BMX faster?
In short sprints, BMX bikes can be faster than other types of bikes due to their lightweight frames, aggressive geometry, and quick acceleration. However, over longer distances, road bikes or mountain bikes can achieve higher top speeds. BMX bikes are designed for explosive power over short distances, with gearing aimed at rapid acceleration rather than outright top speed.
3. What makes BMX faster?
BMX bikes are designed for quick acceleration, responsive handling, and explosive power over short distances. A major factor contributing to their speed is the lightweight yet strong frame and component materials like chromoly steel alloy or aluminum. By keeping weight low, less effort is required to get the bike up to speed.
4. How fast are BMX racers going?
Elite BMX racers can reach extremely fast speeds during competitions. On straight sections of BMX race tracks, top professionals have been clocked at speeds over 40 mph. The current in-race BMX speed record is held by Australian racer Carol Perez, who reached a top speed of 64.02 mph in 2018. The specialty race bikes used by professionals allow them to pedal up to speeds over 60 mph on some downhill sections of tracks.