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Hard to believe, but it’s 2020. New Year, new you, new us? We’re here talking about the mini bmx bike. That’s right – a two wheeled machine without an engine. While this is new for us, we’re not unfamiliar with the platform. For most of us, the addiction to motorcycles starts with a love of bicycles. They’re our first real taste of freedom and speed. If you’re anything like us, your best childhood memories are marked with races around the neighborhood and stamped with the unmistakable knee scars and maybe a broken bone or two.
History of the Mini BMX Bike
History has it that Indonesia gets credit for the mini BMX bike concept. According to the OG’s, Indonesian riders were modifying frames with the tiny wheels taken off their shopping carts to create miniature, yet functional bikes.
A few decades later in 2011, it was an Indonesian BMX company called Kate Bike that really brought the concept into the mainstream, and the reason we have the whole scene today. Because there was no real solid foundation for factory parts available for the miniature bikes, most parts were taken from other platforms (e.g. kids bikes and carts) and custom crafted to make work. These early iterations were rough, but they worked. And early adopters used YouTube to share videos and spread the idea overseas. Eventually, the idea gained enough steam to induce big British and US producers to jump into the game.
In the short decade between then and now, a lot of companies have come and gone but a few have perfected the craft and cemented themselves as the industry leaders in the space. The mini BMX bike has evolved from a hodgepodge of miscellaneous parts to a well-engineered platform that serves its riders well. You can often find them at both indoor and outdoor skate parks with riders of all ages shredding. They are a great option for young riders wanting to get started in freestyle BMX. However, that’s definitely not to suggest that they’re only for kids. Many adult riders have come to love the mini BMX bike, and there are scores of videos online showing their potential.
What Makes a Good Mini BMX Bike
A Strong Frame
Ideally, you will want to find a bike with a high tensile steel or chromoly frame. Chromoly is a steel alloy that facilitates the use of thinner wall tubing for less weight, yet more strength than carbon steel. Just as important as the material it’s made of, you want your frame to be well built. Look for gussets on the frame, both on the top tube and the down tube of your new bike. These are essentially just slim patches of additional steel welded onto the front joints of these tubes to provide additional strength and protection against cracking or breakage. Given the very nature of the sport and the beating these bikes can take, gussets are an essential element to a long lasting BMX bike.
To Brake, or not to brake?
As you’re looking for your new mini bmx bike, you may find it surprising that many of them come without brakes, and some with just a rear brake. It has little to do with weight savings, which many people immediately assume. The weight of bike brakes is negligible at most. Rather, this has more to do with the specific rider’s style. Obviously, if you’re considering the purchase of a mini BMX bike for your little one as a new rider, we strongly recommend opting for AT LEAST a rear brake here. But for the experienced rider, just use your discretion. Many riders prefer brake-less bikes, citing greater ease in executing tricks, like the bar spin for example. For strictly off-road riding (i.e. the skateparks), running without brakes can be a benefit. We just wouldn’t recommend taking it on the road, for obvious reasons. Your shoe bottoms can only take so much abuse!
Quality of the parts
They say the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, right? Perhaps. But the greater takeaway from this quote is obviously that you need quality parts on your mini bmx bike. With the advancements in the miniBMX factory parts market over the last decade, that means bike manufacturers have the benefit of being able to source the best individual pieces from other companies that they don’t make in house. We’re talking about quality handlebars made from light, high strength material, ideally with a knurled clamping area to keep them from moving around at the mounting point. Also, pay attention to the tires. They should be high-quality rubber, and strong enough to endure the beatings of freestyle BMX riding without sacrificing their shape. Look for tires that have a relatively smooth tread pattern. Aggressive, off-road knobby treads aren’t going to do you much good in the freestyle arena.
How much are mini bmx bikes?
We get this question a lot. Many people who are unfamiliar with mini’s often want to know how much they cost. If you liked our recent article on cheap Chinese pit bikes, you’ll be mind blown to find out just how affordable these bikes are today. Nowadays, you can get a top notch mini bmx delivered to your door for under $200. Honestly, the vast majority fall in this price range. And very rarely will you find one over $300.
What are the top 3 mini BMX bikes for 2020?
Rocker Mini BMX bikes: IROK+
Rocker BMX is a staple in the miniBMX scene, so much so that you will often here people refer to all mini BMX bikes in general as ‘rockers’. This often happens when a brand cements itself in an industry over time, building a loyal brand following so strong that their brand name becomes synonymous with the product at large (think Jet Ski, Jacuzzi, Crock-Pot, etc.) Rocker mini BMX bikes is a British company whose main focus is BMX. They employ actual riders, many of whom design and manufacture the many bikes and aftermarket components they sell.
Rocker mini BMX bikes are excellent for riders of all shapes and sizes. They’ve utilized their years of research and development to build an industry leading and fully functional BMX bike at a fraction of the size. You can also count on Rocker mini BMX bikes to regularly come out with crazy new designs that quickly become collectibles on the scene!
First off, the IROK+ is a no-brakes model BMX bike. It is designed strictly for the BMX enthusiast and should not be ridden on public right-of-ways! It features a light, high tensile steel frame and a forged face plate, bringing the entire bike’s weight in at only 20.9 pounds. The handlebars are 10″ x 28″ and come with Hitmain hand grips. The IROK+ comes standard with 30/13 gearing, allowing you to hit speeds up to 15 miles per hour.
- Rocker BMX. iROK+ New Street Pro Style Tyres
- Chunky scaled down mini versions of 20” BMX’s designed to take a serious amount of adult sized abuse
- New Lighter Hi tensile steel frame, forks & bars. Front load stem with forged face plate,
- 10" x 28" bars, plastic BMX pedals with matching hitmain grips
- Important: This bike has no brakes! It is sold for off-road use only. It is specifically designed for off-road racing on enclosed tracks on private property. We do not offer a road kit for this bike. It is NOT to be used on the highway or sidewalk.
FatBoy MiniBMX Pro
Fatboy MiniBMX is easily one of the most well-known and respected US-based companies on the scene. Based out of California, they are known for churning out very high quality and high performing mini BMX bikes. The Fatboy Pro Mini BMX bike features a high tensile steel frame, which is fully tig-welded. It comes with 4-piece 10″ chromoly handlebars and a 9T Wildcat freewheel. This is a rear brake only setup, and comes standard with Blue Gum 6-ply tires. As you can see, this is a super strong mini bmx bike, packed full of quality parts straight from the factory.
Moxie’s DISTRICT Mini BMX Bike
Moxie is a lesser known brand, but their DISTRICT mini BMX bike is no slouch. Just like the other bikes on our list, it comes standard with a high tensile steel frame. It also has a 9T freewheel, strong well-positioned handlebars with quality grips, and 10″ tires.
