Choosing the right BMX for doing stunts.

If you plan to get a BMX  to learn some tricks with it, first you must find one that is suitable for your height. The top tube length will determine that.

You can find charts online that  provides information on choosing the right bike size based on your height.

Since you are doing stunts on it, choose one that is installed with gyro brake system so that you can make twists and turns without entangling your cables.

Make sure that the chainring have lesser number of teeth on it. This is so that you can start to ride off faster after doing your twists and turns. This photo shows a GT BMX 43T chainring. You should be able to find BMX with 28T (teeth) right up to 48T (teeth) chainring installed.

You can also decide if you want one with sport rims to withstand hard knocks or one with the standard rims with spokes inserted. This model with sport rims have disc brakes and pegs installed on its front and rear wheels so that you can stand on them as you perform your tricks.

While this model installed with V-brake has the standard rims with 68 spokes installed. The more spokes there are, the less likely it will be for you to damage the wheels when your BMX hit the ground during high jumps.

You also have the option to choose BMX with hi-tensile steel frame or chromoly which is lighter but more expensive. Cyclists who have ridden bikes with steel frame and also on chromoly frame find that the later is flexible and more comfortable to ride on.

If you are talking about what brand you should buy, do a search for reviews on the brand you are interested in getting. Since you are learning, it may not be a good idea to buy an expensive model to start.

Maybe you should consider borrowing or getting a used unit that is still in good working condition. After some tries (ouch, ouch), you may decide that doing stunts is not for you.

Should you go tubeless? Can car tyre sealants be used on bicycles?

Are you frustrated because you have to change your tube very often? 

It is hot in Malaysia, if you often park your bicycle under the sun, make sure that the material of the tube you buy is butyl rubber.  It is the material used to manufacture surgical gloves and it can withstand heat and chemical.  Should one of your tubes gets heated up and burst on you, it will also damaged your tyre.



You can also consider getting a better tyre or go tubeless. However, in Malaysia, a nice pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyre with puncture protection belt, cost more than RM200.00. This is not an option that every cyclist is willing to pay for. 

Tubeless tyres are just as expensive too and they are not commonly sold yet in bikeshops here. So, there will be difficulty in finding replacement parts and sealants. Another issue is that they are extremely hard to get on and off your rims which can be a hassle if you need to change one in the middle of a ride.

If you are still into using sealant, find one that is meant for bicycle. This video will give you an idea what to expect to make the change.

Another matter you have to check is the length of your tube stem valve. You can find inner tubes sold with stem height of 48mm right up to 80mm.



If the double wall of your rim is wider, a tube with shorter stem valve will sink down the rim hole if some air is lost during a ride.




The tube can be easily damaged if you keep on cycling when the short stem valve is sitting lopsided in the rim hole.