BMX freestyle has grown immensely in popularity over the past few decades. From its early beginnings in the 1970s and 80s to the high-flying, gravity-defying stunts of today, BMX freestyle has undergone a dramatic evolution, both in terms of the bikes and the tricks performed.
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| Photo by Nicolas Picard |
The early days of freestyle BMX were characterised by riders performing tricks on their modified BMX racing bikes. These bikes had 20-inch wheels and a lightweight frame, which made them ideal for the jumps and spins that would become the foundation of the sport. In the late 1970s, riders began to modify their bikes further, adding features like freestyle handlebars and pegs for performing tricks.
The 1980s saw the emergence of the first competitions, which showcased the skills of riders from around the world. These competitions helped to popularise the sport and encourage the development of new and more complex tricks. Riders began to experiment with different types of riding, including flatland, street riding, and ramp riding, each with their own unique set of challenges and tricks.
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| Tim Rademacher CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons |
By the 1990s, freestyle BMX had become a mainstream sport, with major competitions like the X Games and the Dew Tour showcasing the best riders from around the world. Advances in technology and design allowed for the creation of specialised bikes and equipment, designed specifically for the demands of the sport. Riders began to push the boundaries of what was possible, performing ever more complex and daring stunts, including flips, spins, and multiple backflips.
Today, BMX freestyle is a thriving sport with a global community of riders and fans. It continues to evolve and grow, with new tricks and styles emerging all the time. The sport is also becoming more accessible, with the development of indoor skate parks and training facilities, allowing riders to practice and hone their skills year-round.
Despite its evolution and growth, BMX freestyle remains true to its roots, with riders pushing themselves and their bikes to new limits, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the sport, there has never been a better time to get involved in the exciting world of BMX.
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| Photo by Keagan Henman |
In conclusion, the evolution of freestyle BMX has been a fascinating journey, with the sport growing and evolving over the past few decades. From its early beginnings as a modified racing bike to the high-tech machines of today, the sport has come a long way. With its growing popularity and accessibility, it's clear that BMX freestyle will continue to thrive and evolve for many years to come.
7 interesting facts about freestyle BMX
BMX freestyle is one of the few sports to have originated in the United States. It first emerged in the 1970s in Southern California, where young riders began experimenting with new tricks and techniques on their BMX bikes.
The first organised competition was held in 1980 at the Bicycle Motocross Action magazine's "Rider of the Year" event in California. The competition featured 10 riders, and was won by Bob Haro, who went on to become a legendary figure in the sport.
Freestyle BMX was added to the X Games in 1995, and has been a staple of the event ever since. The X Games have helped to popularise the sport and bring it to a wider audience.
The world championships were held in 1985 in Canada. Today, the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup is the premier international competition for the sport.
The sport has inspired a number of popular video games, including the Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX series and the BMX XXX game, which featured adult themes and controversial content.
The world's larges event is the FISE World Series, which features competitions in multiple countries and attracts thousands of riders and spectators each year.
BMX freestyle has spawned a number of offshoots and sub-disciplines, including flatland BMX, street BMX, and park BMX. Each of these styles has its own unique challenges and techniques, and has helped to push the sport in new and exciting directions.
The top 10 BMX freestyle riders
1. Ryan Nyquist - An American rider who has won multiple X Games gold medals and is known for his technical riding style.
2. Hannah Roberts - An American rider who has won multiple world championships and X Games gold medals.
3. Perris Benegas - An American rider who has won multiple X Games medals and is known for her technical riding style.
4. Drew Bezanson - A Canadian rider who is known for his big air and innovative trick combinations.
5. Nikita Ducarroz - A Swiss rider who has won multiple world championships and X Games medals, and is known for her creative and technical riding style.
6. Logan Martin - An Australian rider who has won multiple world championships and X Games medals.
7. Daniel Dhers - A Venezuelan rider who has won multiple X Games gold medals and is known for his smooth, stylish riding.
8. Angie Marino - An American rider who is known for her big air and stylish riding, and has won multiple X Games medals.
9. Scotty Cranmer - An American rider who has won multiple X Games gold medals and is known for his big airs and daring trick combinations.
10. Garrett Reynolds - An American rider who is known for his technical riding style and has won multiple X Games gold medals.
What makes a good freestyle BMX bike?
Durability - bikes are designed to withstand the rigors of street and park riding, with frames and components that are built to last.
Lightweight - Freestyle BMX bikes need to be lightweight in order to make tricks and maneuvers easier. Many frames and components are made from lightweight materials like aluminum and carbon fiber.
Maneuverability - Freestyle bikes are designed to be highly maneuverable, with short chainstays and steep head tube angles that make it easier to pull off tricks.
Strong brakes - BMX bikes need to have strong brakes in order to stop quickly and safely during high-speed riding and trick maneuvers.
Smooth ride - Bikes feature suspension systems or other features designed to provide a smooth ride, which can be important when landing hard tricks.
High-quality components - They often feature high-quality components like sealed bearings, double-walled rims, and lightweight handlebars, which can help to improve performance and durability.
Customizability - Riders often customise their bikes with unique components and designs that reflect their personal style and preferences. This can include things like custom paint jobs, grips, and pedals.
Top BMX freestyle manufacturers:
- Cult - Known for their high-quality frames and innovative designs, Cult has become one of the top BMX freestyle manufacturers in the world.
- Fitbikeco - With a wide range of frames and parts designed for both street and park riding, Fit has become a popular choice among BMX freestyle riders.
- Sunday BMX - Sunday is known for their high-quality frames and innovative designs, and has been a top BMX freestyle manufacturer for many years.
- Subrosa - With a focus on unique designs and high-quality materials, Subrosa has become a popular choice among BMX freestyle riders around the world.
- Kink - Known for their high-quality frames and innovative designs, Kink has become one of the top BMX freestyle manufacturers in the world.
- Haro - With a long history in BMX freestyle, Haro has become a respected name in the sport and continues to produce high-quality bikes and parts.
- WTP (WeThePeople) - With a focus on innovation and quality, WTP has become a popular choice among BMX freestyle riders around the world.
- S&M - Known for their durable frames and innovative designs, S&M has become a popular choice among BMX freestyle riders.
- GT - With a long history in BMX freestyle, GT has become a respected name in the sport and continues to produce high-quality bikes and parts.
- Odyssey - Known for their high-quality components and innovative designs, Odyssey has become a popular choice among BMX freestyle riders around the world.