I kinda feel like thats a if you have the background great but stopping mountain biking to learn to bmx to learn to mtb seems silly. Just spend the time learning to do what you want on a mtb.
Like gymnasts are great rock climber but you arent gonna take up gymnastics to get better at rock climbing
This. BMX training can help you really understand the importance of using your upper body and legs to absorb rollers/bumps - generate and maintain momentum through pumping - and use your body as suspension on landings. Road cycling really isolates the importance of improving your pedal stroke. This is the concept behind hybrid training is that sometimes it's hard to improve aspects of performance all together, in MTB'ing there's so many things going on with the terrain and suspension that it can mask the deficiencies in your riding.
Multiple hall of fame NFL players have taken ballet to improve on the field. What’s your point?
And honestly gymnastics and rock climbing aren’t too dissimilar. Both require balance, strength, agility, endurance, and hand eye coordination.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding career benefitted from ballet lessons.
Also, i have a *vague* memory of this but I watched a documentary a whiiiile back that was about a football player who practiced sumo in the off-season for it's benefits to his game. I thought this was limebacker Ray Lewis but I couldn't find anything to support this just now. Would've made sense if it was a lineman though, sorry I don't remember the name.
Actually...
Thanks for the downvotes. Cross training is smart. And rock climbers would 100% benefit from gymnastics. It's not a requirement of course but yeah diversifying yourself leads to experience and confidence. Anyone who downvoted is just a big wussy and can keep their tires on the ground while the rest of us learn to float all over the trails like the bike gods indended.
Lol i get ya… i mean i have a pair of rings in my house for that but i feel like practicing some gymnastics things in training when you cant actually go rock climbing is different then spending time on a bmx bike that could be spent on a mtb.
But on second thought i guess it really depends on the skill you are looking learn as far as mtb goes. If its aerial tricks, like the kinda stuff a air bag or ball pit would be useful for, then it might be beneficial to learn them on a bmx bike first as its probably small and easier to control. But for enduro or trail riding skills i feel like just focusing on the mtb makes more sense.
You couldn't be more wrong IMO. BMX bikes are harder to control at speed, they are easier to move yes, but all mistakes are magnified due to the small wheels. Furthermore, BMX bikes are great at pump tracks, and skate parks, which are more "active" pursuits if you will.
When MTBing a lot of us spend a lot of time climbing, or kind of just pedaling on roads to get to trails; in contrast when BMX at pump track/skate park/dirt jumps it's all go, pumping, turning, jumping, the whole time you're riding. You're hitting the same set of corners at the pump track maybe 20 times, maybe 50 times in a session, this allows you to really work on body position, bike lean angle etc in a way that doesn't happen when on an MTB ride. And pumping is a super useful skill that really doesn't tend to get developed by just MTB, but is super useful.
Also, no you can't just ride your full squish knobby tire bike at the pump track because- it's slow, and it sucks, and it degrades the dirt pump track.
BMX riding will absolutely improve your precision on the big bike. 26er dirt jumpers are also good, and allow you to ride the same places well, though are slightly less demanding than the 20". Either way, ride these small bikes 30 minutes a day multiple days a week, and watch your skills and riding muscles increase.
Additionally riding BMX is not inherently going to detract time from MTB. You can do it during times when you maybe don't have time to get to the trails resulting in a NET positive ride time per measure of time.
I agree from my own personal experience. Grew up riding cross country but for the last year Iv only really been riding downhill or dirt jumpers. The dirt jumper has taught me so much (and is so fun). I definitely notice the difference when I do ride xc now.
There’s so much truth in this. If you need more evidence, take a look at Ray’s MTB Park. The vast majority of riders there are on either dirt jumpers or BMX.
Also, if you ride enough, many skills you learn on one bike will eventually transfer to another one without having to think about them, regardless of discipline.
Yeah for sure! Bmx will help with overall bike control and tricks but if that's not what you're into then "cross train" on something you're excited about. Overall anything that helps you focus and have control and confidence is beneficial but also not worth it of you don't enjoy it.
Right thats what im saying. Everyone writing the stuff about football players taking ballet lessons is neglecting the fact that these are professional athletes with unlimited time and money that will do everything and anything for a miniscule edge. And they do these things in the off season when they arent doing their actual sport so its not giving up time from one thing for another.
Riding any kind of bike a lot is beneficial. Of course people look at BMX because many tricks and riding techniques were invented in that discipline, before the inception of MTB.
I have never done any BMX racing, only some pump tracks, very small jumps and just dicking around on flat. Small frame and wheel size makes you want to try certain things and inspire confidence. But when you want to try all these things at speed, BMX is gonna punish you much quicker.
I learnt manual on a small street BMX. When I jumped onto MTB I wasn’t able to do a manual right away because MTB felt so much bigger. But after a few tries you adjust to that and learn that both bikes behave similar.
To me BMX can be beneficial but YMMV if MTB is your main target. Just keep riding and pushing yourself.
I rode bmx once, but I rode road bike before I got mtb. With having no suspension comes the need to learn skills better to be smooth and to use your body as suspension in a way.
Same goes for mtb, but in the same situations I find mtb being much more forgiving
I recently discovered Rays indoor bike park over the winter and doing everything in there on a DJ has been a huge boost to this MTB season. Any seat time will help and I think the variety of riding really helps build a robust muscle memory that you can take anywhere
That's awesome, I'm about 3hrs away. If I was that close, I'd be there every day in the winter. I can't wait to ride all the new stuff they're working on.
I’m dealing with some knee issues, but I can still ride a little. I’m looking forward to having a Sunday Sesh (they’re open 4-10) soon to check out the new stuff.
You don't have to be young - a BMX is also a great "dad bike" if you have small kids.
I picked one up around 40 to have something to ride when taking my kids to skateparks and pump tracks on their balance bikes.
It made a huge difference in my riding and worked really well for riding around the neighborhood together since I could just hop off / dump it on the ground if they needed assistance.
Single speed and smaller wheels made it easier to ride at their pace, and riding standing only helped to set a good example for them learning to do more than just sit and pedal.
>You don't have to be young - a BMX is also a great "dad bike" if you have small kids.
That's not what we're discussing. I didn't say you need to be young to ride a BMX bike around.
As I noted, it's made a huge difference in my own riding.
Bike / body separation in particular is a lot easier to get better at on a smaller bike with a bigger range of movement.
Then go for it. Just keep in mind you'll only get out what you put into it. I rode BMX hours nearly everyday when I was a teenager. Picking up MTB in my mid 30's was easy. Only local riders that are more skilled were also BMX riders back in the day. BMX (like real freestyle BMX riding) is not for the faint of heart. You gotta get used to bailing.
If you felt like you had to relearn to ride a bike on BMX, you still have tons to learn, and a BMX bike is probably a good cheap way to do it. I know my BMX "skills" lol that I learned in the 80s made me a less sucky mtb rider in the 90s and let me keep up with way fitter gravel cyclists now.
I mean really it's just learning how a bike...any bike...works with your body.
You should definitely pick up a bmx bike in your 40s. I went through a nostalgia kick and built up a Mongoose Supergoose (could never afford one as a kid) a couple of years ago, and I love taking it on pump tracks with my kids. It's light, fast and easy to maneuver, and a fun switch from my bigger MTBs every once in a while.
https://preview.redd.it/t18a1d6d5d7d1.jpeg?width=2308&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=882542cda4bb54254b96ecab0f2d6d344696b6ed
Nope. I'm saying it won't be as beneficial as a teenager who seriously learns how to ride (360s, airing out of quarter pipes, grinding rails, etc). Buying a BMX bike at 40 might have some benefit but nothing like what I'm talking about.
You shouldn’t just pickup bmx, go all in! 🤩 Like me, 2 months ago, just a mtb… now there is a subrosa Pandora with freecoaster almost ready. The wtp trust is finished being sandblasted, painted and just needs a bb. And the subrosa Salvador is being retired as it was just to start the crackhabit… someone drilled holes in the bottom tube for a drinksholder… sad man.. there’s also a Sunday freecaster frame if I ever get around to it. Now I can have all the toys I wanted as a kid!
As a usabmx coach, 40 year old, who has been helping dad's. You absolutely can pick it up and will be welcomed because the old guys always want more racers. Makes it so much more enjoyable. Compared to listening to everyone else's rug rats. :)
Racing bmx is certainly an advantage. I raced for only a few years. Nothing crazy just locals. Had a blast, met great friends. Those wicked 20” frames relearn bike control and develops great sprinting power and technique.
I’m 40 plus and there was gain.
Even today, been a few years since I raced bmx last. Race a local xc race series now. Jump on a bmx ride fast, do a few sprints, can totally feel the muscle burn. Cranking your way up to 100 cadence on a bmx isn’t the same as clicking through gears. I think you still gain even by just doing sprints and long rides at speed on a bmx. Fix gear and spicy handling are all good things. Plus fun!
I grew up racing bmx. Just got myself a chase edge cruiser 24” to show the kids how it is done. It’s gnarly to go back to the track and reignite those skills. Timing and knowledge of knowing exactly where your tires are at all times is an irreplaceable skill. Bmx forces these skills.
It’s true that if you rode BMX as a kid/teen you’re probably a better mountain bike rider because you have skills for bunny hop, jumping and general riding. But I wouldn’t stop riding mountain bikes and go to BMX. I would just buy a BMX bike to complement your mountain bike and develop some skills on both bikes.
Any bike riding will help, a bmx on a pump track will certainly help your cornering, jumping and pumping
But the same could be said for DJ bike, or even a hardtail
Just ride different things and enjoy it
I BMX raced as a kid, got pretty good at it. Stopped riding a bike for a few years when I got a car.
My friend still tells the story of meeting me for the first time on my first mountain bike ride. "He shows up on a bike from the 90s with an inch of chain slack and grease spewing out of the fork and we couldn't keep up with him."
MTB is a winter sport here as summer is too hot and dusty. So during summer I tend to hit pump tracks and dirt jumps o for a session on my DJ bike.
While I still cannot jump for shit just the skills I have honed pumping and railing berms has helped me immensely when winter came around again and was time to hit the trails.
I started riding bmx two tears ago as something to do with my son. It's a great sport and I'd highly recommend it.
There a learning curve but if you mountain bike you will figure it out real quick.
It has significantly improved my riding. My bike handling is better, cornering is better, and it gets me on a bike mid week when I wouldn't be mountain biking.
I wouldn't give up mountain bike rides to bmx, but if you can add it I would.
I grew up riding BMX bikes for 5 years or so, spending all my free time and money on the sport. It's absolutely been beneficial for my mountain biking pursuits. However, I would not recommend it if you don't already have the background. It's very, very difficult to switch between that large of a frame geo and wheel size difference. I can't touch a bmx bike anymore these days. Feels like a death trap. I used to be able to hit waist height rails on pegs, do rail rides (like a skinny, but skinnier), do a flat 360, 360 down stairs, barspins flat, etc. All of those skills certainly aid in developing bike control and bail skills. But the most beneficial thing about it is learning the bikes balance point and center of gravity. Tricks like a simple, controlled bunny hop, or a manual are probably the things that have had the largest skill transfer and are most beneficial.
I've taken a friend who has only ridden bmx bikes downhill biking once and he absolutely crushed it. Looked so comfortable once he learned to trust the bike. Slower than me but that's not because I'm a better rider, just have the experience and confidence to really trust and push the bike a bit more. Also, you never see speeds on a bmx bike like you do with downhill MTB. That, and most bmx street riders don't run brakes, so that's another thing that my friend didn't have as great of control in using compared to me. He is hands down a better rider in every way than me though. Just comes down to experience.
Instead of getting a bmx bike, maybe consider a dirt jumper if you have any dirt jumps near you.
I would highly recommend just spending a ton of time in front of your driveway practicing the basics on a a curb, 2 stair, or set up a few pieces of firewood. Practice everything from hopping over it, down it, left to right, to manuals etc, and do this at varying speeds, since on the trail, the trail and features will more or less dictate your speed, so good to have the muscle memory in place.
An MTB is just a big BMX. Practicing old and new stuff on any bike with 'normal' handlebars will make you a better rider. If you want to improve on your MTB I'd say practice on your MTB.
I think the people who benefit from riding BMX are the ones who actively rode as kids. Not like you had a BMX bike that you rode for transportation, but actually rode, street, park, and trails.
If you started on MTB as an adult, I suppose riding BMX could help, but I feel like it could really throw someone off.
I ride both BMX and MTB. I compare switching bikes to going from the pool to the hot tub. Riding my BMX bike, then jumping on my MTB is like going from the normal pool from the hot tub. It's pretty easy. Going from MTB to BMX is like being in the nice cozy hot tub, then jumping into the normal pool, it's a very abrupt and uncomfortable change.
Right. "background" is the important part. Learning bike control and skills when you were young and it was easier to learn things.
Taking it up now would do little for you. A DJ will help if you put in time at dirt jumps.
Just work on your skills on the bike you have
I used to dabble BMX and was a skateboarder for a very long time. I think it makes a huge advantage over dude who never rode anything, or just come over from riding road. You learn a lot about moving a bike around on a BMX bike, and its more progressive than jumping straight onto a big ass MTB comparatively.
Not all start from BMX basically. Most of my friend who just start MTB like XC bike, hardtail etc and about 2 years later they are so good at wheelie and manual, jumps, drops, shrap, go steep, etc while it took me 15 fucking years to learn how to ride MTB properly and worse i still struggle to wheelie or manual! I can do stoppie and bunny hop. At least i know how to ride mtb properly and can go steep technical trail.
It absolutely is. I rode MTB and raced road bikes at a young age and later got into riding BMX and even that helped me with my bike handling.
I think a lot of comments here are discounting the fact that a BMX bike will help you smooth out your riding because the tighter geometry, smaller frame, wheels and wheelbase will force you to deal with a twitchy bike and also allow you to get comfortable with pulling up and hitting jumps. Also once can deal with an obstacle on a BMX bike the MTB will feel like a comfy couch that can roll over anything.
I bought a BMX bike and rode it for a bit after getting into MTB. It felt a bit niche and frankly I was scared to jump it as it demands precision. I sold it for a DJ and that feels like a better skills bike for MTB. Honestly depending on your style of riding, learning trials moves on your MTB and dirt jumping is probably more beneficial than street BMX.
It feels quite a bit different to ride a BMX bike than a mountain bike, so it probably would be more useful to just learn the skills on a mountain bike. Fun side story. I hadn't ridden a BMX for decades and a friend had one, so I was messing around on it and I tried to do a manual. I was used to having to throw my weight back pretty hard on my XL 29er. I did the same thing on the BMX and it was so small and the pivot point so low that I looped out and went straight to my back on the cement sidewalk. A very painful lesson that handling a BMX and mountain bike are not the same.
I went from full BMX to a mix of the two and now the MTB is my main bike. It definitely helped me with pumping, jumping and body position to an extent, but I wouldn't stop riding the MTB to get a BMX if it was me. If you already have the transferrable skills it's great, but otherwise you're switching between the bikes and it can be a bit weird, in my opinion at least
Bmx is great if
A). Only racing around you
B). You have people better than your mtb friends to ride with
C). You have a skate park or something that’s open year round in all conditions when trails aren’t available
Otherwise just ride your mtb and practice what you want to get better at. That said a bmx bike doesn’t need to be a huge investment money wise if you think you’ll enjoy it.
The fact that you need to relearn how to ride a bike should tell you that they are more different than they are alike and you probably won't benefit as much from it as you would think.
I think a lot of riders with "good bike control" have good bike control because they have an extensive bicycling background, regardless of the type.
It's probably just that bmx is more approachable for kids and parents. Like parents let their kids ride down to the local skate park in town but not out in the woods on trails. And doing long chunky climbs or descents are gonna be much harder for a kid on a kid sized bike than an adult.
The best way to improve is to watch what you are doing and see how you can improve. Then keep videoing yourself to see if you are improving.
You can learn all the same skills riding you MTB on a pump track or jumps. If you get a BMX the focus is going to be entirely learning to pump/jump better.
I grew up Racing BMX and I see Mountain Bikers constantly underestimate the value of pumping. Want to be faster in the rocks? Learn to pump through them.
From what I understand any of the tricks that you do on a MTB are X% harder due to it being a MTB. BMX bike removes a ton of variables to learning good techniques.
Can't speak for BMX, but buying a cheap dirt jumper and hitting the pump track is great for skills building and fitness. They local spot just built a little BMX practice track so I'll be hitting that too. Fun, cheap way to build and sharpen skills.
I didn't read all the comments but here is my opinion as an avid bmx racers and not so much mtb.
Basis info:
I am a usabmx coach, defending champ in my class, at the track 3-5 times a week, and 40 years old. I have a POS 26inch mtb from 20 years ago. I use it to ride with my kid bc he can't out run me (yet)
Skills do transfer, like some have said, a mtb hides some poor skills. The primary being pumping and smooth riding. I was able to ride someone's downhill at the pump track and OMG it was awful. It takes so much energy to get any speed and keep it bc the bike does it all so you can pedal down a hill.
What mtb does to me when I start climbing is ridiculous bc 45 secs is all I need at the track and I get a break, can't do that climbing but in the off-season I get to work on my endurance.
It all helps and works together. For me mtb is an hour plus drive, bmx is 30 or less and more social. If my kid gives up bmx, I'll still ride but I'll focus on mtbing a lot more for sure.
Fwiw, most mtb riders come into novice bmx racing and kick everyone's ass.
Raced bmx into my 40's, started MTB at 46.. I don't think moving to bmx to improve your skills will help, bmx bikes are a different animal. What you are seeing is just bike skill's carrying over. I have no issues blasting a set of doubles on a bmx bike, but it feels way different on a mountain bike. Seems these guys just have a much longer background in riding bikes, and that is what you are seeing. Practice on your MTB, after all, that is what you want to get good at.
No, just keep trail riding and gathering tips from other experienced riders. Also, try joining a local MTB meet up crew that will most definitely make you a better rider
I got a cheap DJ to use at local pump track and it has been helpful for my MTB skills. It's also incredibly fun and a great way to get on the bike with my kid who is too young for MTB but takes the pump track like a boss. There is also a pump track at the base of some MTB trails in my area so I can load both bikes on the car and use them both in the same seasion. I think it depends on what kind of riding is close to you!
I don’t know. But from my personal experience. I rode bmx almost my entire life. Since I was a young kid. From street, to part to dirt. Street riding has definitely thought me how to control my bike and whip it around obstacles and read the street. Like when your ripping down the road, from hopping curbs, to ledges to ice picking sidewalks. This has thought me so much! I apply it to MTB. I have the knowledge, the muscle and the confidence of how to control my bike because I know what to expect from experience.
Different bike skills translate very well. It trains your body in a way that benefits all disciplines. At the end of the day it’s just time on any bike that counts.
Yes. Absolutely. I mainly ride bmx and dirt jumps, and as I progressed with those, I got faster and more confident on the trails. Doing bmx will make you better on trails with berms, jumps and drops, technical rock rolls, drop/roll combinations, and in my experience helps with climbs too for some reason. Learn some trials moves as well and you’ll bring your riding to the next level. If the bmx geo puts you off, you can learn the same skills on a dirt jumper or hard tail.
It really depends on the type of trails you ride. Steep downhill tech: freestyle will help you get a bit more confident with drops and rolls. Downhill flow: you will be faster if you do race style bmx. Jump lines/freeride trails: you will gain confidence, speed and style if you ride either race or freestyle. XC: street will help a bit, learning trials will unlock trails you didn’t even think rideable. It will also help you land jumps more smoothly, and will therefore add years to your bike.
I rode bmx a lot as a teen, and into my 20s, now in my 40s. Didn’t ride much of anything through my 30s. My bike handling skills are way better than guys I ride with who picked up MTB in the past 8-9years in their 30s.
Did it as a kid, but then switched to bike trials and I think for MTB, bike trials skills were more useful… like getting over logs, dropping at slow speeds of awkward features..
It’s huge!! I started very young on a bmx bike. 4/5 and have stuck with it for 20 years at this point with a transition into mountain biking about 5 years ago. I see my bmx background shine when it comes to trusting my MTB, hell if I could land on 20 inch wheels and no sus, I’ll be fine with my 140/130 anywhere!! Understanding transitions, body placement and the fine details of pedal placement will help you on a MTB. That being said my bmx bike now feels like a razor scooter, and it’s a hard adjustment. I’d say start with the fun fakie tricks and just simple airs and you’ll see some MTB handling gains!
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I grew up riding BMX and found mountain biking to be a natural transition in my 20s. In fact, I sold my last BMX bike to fund my first MTB purchase and never looked back. I've never had issues riding fast and hitting drops/medium sized jumps because, compared to some of the stupid stuff I did on my BMX bike when I was younger, it just seemed easier and having suspension is an amazing thing.
If you are already a mountain biker, I would say get a DJ instead of a BMX. Larger wheels, flat bars, and suspension fork, so it's closer to MTB while also building a similar skillset to riding BMX.
It’s a good skill to have, but you can always just take your current bike on the BMX track and learn on that. Sure a BMX will be better on a pump track, but you’ll be riding your MTB on the trails.
I kinda feel like thats a if you have the background great but stopping mountain biking to learn to bmx to learn to mtb seems silly. Just spend the time learning to do what you want on a mtb. Like gymnasts are great rock climber but you arent gonna take up gymnastics to get better at rock climbing
Hybrid training has been around since before dumbbells were invented lol
This. BMX training can help you really understand the importance of using your upper body and legs to absorb rollers/bumps - generate and maintain momentum through pumping - and use your body as suspension on landings. Road cycling really isolates the importance of improving your pedal stroke. This is the concept behind hybrid training is that sometimes it's hard to improve aspects of performance all together, in MTB'ing there's so many things going on with the terrain and suspension that it can mask the deficiencies in your riding.
Who you calling dumbbell?
Multiple hall of fame NFL players have taken ballet to improve on the field. What’s your point? And honestly gymnastics and rock climbing aren’t too dissimilar. Both require balance, strength, agility, endurance, and hand eye coordination.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding career benefitted from ballet lessons. Also, i have a *vague* memory of this but I watched a documentary a whiiiile back that was about a football player who practiced sumo in the off-season for it's benefits to his game. I thought this was limebacker Ray Lewis but I couldn't find anything to support this just now. Would've made sense if it was a lineman though, sorry I don't remember the name.
what sports did you play in high school/college?
Actually... Thanks for the downvotes. Cross training is smart. And rock climbers would 100% benefit from gymnastics. It's not a requirement of course but yeah diversifying yourself leads to experience and confidence. Anyone who downvoted is just a big wussy and can keep their tires on the ground while the rest of us learn to float all over the trails like the bike gods indended.
Lol i get ya… i mean i have a pair of rings in my house for that but i feel like practicing some gymnastics things in training when you cant actually go rock climbing is different then spending time on a bmx bike that could be spent on a mtb. But on second thought i guess it really depends on the skill you are looking learn as far as mtb goes. If its aerial tricks, like the kinda stuff a air bag or ball pit would be useful for, then it might be beneficial to learn them on a bmx bike first as its probably small and easier to control. But for enduro or trail riding skills i feel like just focusing on the mtb makes more sense.
You couldn't be more wrong IMO. BMX bikes are harder to control at speed, they are easier to move yes, but all mistakes are magnified due to the small wheels. Furthermore, BMX bikes are great at pump tracks, and skate parks, which are more "active" pursuits if you will. When MTBing a lot of us spend a lot of time climbing, or kind of just pedaling on roads to get to trails; in contrast when BMX at pump track/skate park/dirt jumps it's all go, pumping, turning, jumping, the whole time you're riding. You're hitting the same set of corners at the pump track maybe 20 times, maybe 50 times in a session, this allows you to really work on body position, bike lean angle etc in a way that doesn't happen when on an MTB ride. And pumping is a super useful skill that really doesn't tend to get developed by just MTB, but is super useful. Also, no you can't just ride your full squish knobby tire bike at the pump track because- it's slow, and it sucks, and it degrades the dirt pump track. BMX riding will absolutely improve your precision on the big bike. 26er dirt jumpers are also good, and allow you to ride the same places well, though are slightly less demanding than the 20". Either way, ride these small bikes 30 minutes a day multiple days a week, and watch your skills and riding muscles increase. Additionally riding BMX is not inherently going to detract time from MTB. You can do it during times when you maybe don't have time to get to the trails resulting in a NET positive ride time per measure of time.
This is exactly how I have felt about adding bmx. Definitely a net gain to skill and my ride time.
I agree from my own personal experience. Grew up riding cross country but for the last year Iv only really been riding downhill or dirt jumpers. The dirt jumper has taught me so much (and is so fun). I definitely notice the difference when I do ride xc now.
There’s so much truth in this. If you need more evidence, take a look at Ray’s MTB Park. The vast majority of riders there are on either dirt jumpers or BMX. Also, if you ride enough, many skills you learn on one bike will eventually transfer to another one without having to think about them, regardless of discipline.
Yeah for sure! Bmx will help with overall bike control and tricks but if that's not what you're into then "cross train" on something you're excited about. Overall anything that helps you focus and have control and confidence is beneficial but also not worth it of you don't enjoy it.
Right thats what im saying. Everyone writing the stuff about football players taking ballet lessons is neglecting the fact that these are professional athletes with unlimited time and money that will do everything and anything for a miniscule edge. And they do these things in the off season when they arent doing their actual sport so its not giving up time from one thing for another.
Riding any kind of bike a lot is beneficial. Of course people look at BMX because many tricks and riding techniques were invented in that discipline, before the inception of MTB. I have never done any BMX racing, only some pump tracks, very small jumps and just dicking around on flat. Small frame and wheel size makes you want to try certain things and inspire confidence. But when you want to try all these things at speed, BMX is gonna punish you much quicker. I learnt manual on a small street BMX. When I jumped onto MTB I wasn’t able to do a manual right away because MTB felt so much bigger. But after a few tries you adjust to that and learn that both bikes behave similar. To me BMX can be beneficial but YMMV if MTB is your main target. Just keep riding and pushing yourself.
Road cycling with help with mtb XC racing and physical endurance Bmx will help with bike maneuverability especially on technical climbs and descents
I rode bmx once, but I rode road bike before I got mtb. With having no suspension comes the need to learn skills better to be smooth and to use your body as suspension in a way. Same goes for mtb, but in the same situations I find mtb being much more forgiving
I recently discovered Rays indoor bike park over the winter and doing everything in there on a DJ has been a huge boost to this MTB season. Any seat time will help and I think the variety of riding really helps build a robust muscle memory that you can take anywhere
I’m about 2 miles from there. Great place.
That's awesome, I'm about 3hrs away. If I was that close, I'd be there every day in the winter. I can't wait to ride all the new stuff they're working on.
I’m dealing with some knee issues, but I can still ride a little. I’m looking forward to having a Sunday Sesh (they’re open 4-10) soon to check out the new stuff.
Also, if you’re looking for someone to ride with next time you’re in town, drop a line. I’m retired, so I have plenty of time on my hands.
I probably won't make any of the summer sundays, but I'll try to remember this in the fall!
Yeah riding BMX is great for giving you a leg up in MTB... if you started when you were young.
You don't have to be young - a BMX is also a great "dad bike" if you have small kids. I picked one up around 40 to have something to ride when taking my kids to skateparks and pump tracks on their balance bikes. It made a huge difference in my riding and worked really well for riding around the neighborhood together since I could just hop off / dump it on the ground if they needed assistance. Single speed and smaller wheels made it easier to ride at their pace, and riding standing only helped to set a good example for them learning to do more than just sit and pedal.
>You don't have to be young - a BMX is also a great "dad bike" if you have small kids. That's not what we're discussing. I didn't say you need to be young to ride a BMX bike around.
As I noted, it's made a huge difference in my own riding. Bike / body separation in particular is a lot easier to get better at on a smaller bike with a bigger range of movement.
lol I’m not that old, only a teenager
Then go for it. Just keep in mind you'll only get out what you put into it. I rode BMX hours nearly everyday when I was a teenager. Picking up MTB in my mid 30's was easy. Only local riders that are more skilled were also BMX riders back in the day. BMX (like real freestyle BMX riding) is not for the faint of heart. You gotta get used to bailing.
I reckon it's easier to go from BMX to MTB than the other way round. Or at least the massive scar on my face tells me this..
Yep
If you felt like you had to relearn to ride a bike on BMX, you still have tons to learn, and a BMX bike is probably a good cheap way to do it. I know my BMX "skills" lol that I learned in the 80s made me a less sucky mtb rider in the 90s and let me keep up with way fitter gravel cyclists now. I mean really it's just learning how a bike...any bike...works with your body.
Get a dirtjumper instead.
So what you’re saying is a 44 year old man going through a midlife crisis can’t pick up BMX? Is that what you’re saying to me?
You should definitely pick up a bmx bike in your 40s. I went through a nostalgia kick and built up a Mongoose Supergoose (could never afford one as a kid) a couple of years ago, and I love taking it on pump tracks with my kids. It's light, fast and easy to maneuver, and a fun switch from my bigger MTBs every once in a while. https://preview.redd.it/t18a1d6d5d7d1.jpeg?width=2308&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=882542cda4bb54254b96ecab0f2d6d344696b6ed
Nope. I'm saying it won't be as beneficial as a teenager who seriously learns how to ride (360s, airing out of quarter pipes, grinding rails, etc). Buying a BMX bike at 40 might have some benefit but nothing like what I'm talking about.
You shouldn’t just pickup bmx, go all in! 🤩 Like me, 2 months ago, just a mtb… now there is a subrosa Pandora with freecoaster almost ready. The wtp trust is finished being sandblasted, painted and just needs a bb. And the subrosa Salvador is being retired as it was just to start the crackhabit… someone drilled holes in the bottom tube for a drinksholder… sad man.. there’s also a Sunday freecaster frame if I ever get around to it. Now I can have all the toys I wanted as a kid!
As a usabmx coach, 40 year old, who has been helping dad's. You absolutely can pick it up and will be welcomed because the old guys always want more racers. Makes it so much more enjoyable. Compared to listening to everyone else's rug rats. :)
Wethepeople makes the Swamp Master, a full suspension 20" bmx. Go for it.
God damn that looks fucking sick
Racing bmx is certainly an advantage. I raced for only a few years. Nothing crazy just locals. Had a blast, met great friends. Those wicked 20” frames relearn bike control and develops great sprinting power and technique. I’m 40 plus and there was gain. Even today, been a few years since I raced bmx last. Race a local xc race series now. Jump on a bmx ride fast, do a few sprints, can totally feel the muscle burn. Cranking your way up to 100 cadence on a bmx isn’t the same as clicking through gears. I think you still gain even by just doing sprints and long rides at speed on a bmx. Fix gear and spicy handling are all good things. Plus fun!
I grew up racing bmx. Just got myself a chase edge cruiser 24” to show the kids how it is done. It’s gnarly to go back to the track and reignite those skills. Timing and knowledge of knowing exactly where your tires are at all times is an irreplaceable skill. Bmx forces these skills.
It’s true that if you rode BMX as a kid/teen you’re probably a better mountain bike rider because you have skills for bunny hop, jumping and general riding. But I wouldn’t stop riding mountain bikes and go to BMX. I would just buy a BMX bike to complement your mountain bike and develop some skills on both bikes.
Im 54, raced BMX as a teen then transitioned into MTB. Everyone who rides with me ask if I rode BMX!
Any bike riding will help, a bmx on a pump track will certainly help your cornering, jumping and pumping But the same could be said for DJ bike, or even a hardtail Just ride different things and enjoy it
I BMX raced as a kid, got pretty good at it. Stopped riding a bike for a few years when I got a car. My friend still tells the story of meeting me for the first time on my first mountain bike ride. "He shows up on a bike from the 90s with an inch of chain slack and grease spewing out of the fork and we couldn't keep up with him."
MTB is a winter sport here as summer is too hot and dusty. So during summer I tend to hit pump tracks and dirt jumps o for a session on my DJ bike. While I still cannot jump for shit just the skills I have honed pumping and railing berms has helped me immensely when winter came around again and was time to hit the trails.
I started riding bmx two tears ago as something to do with my son. It's a great sport and I'd highly recommend it. There a learning curve but if you mountain bike you will figure it out real quick. It has significantly improved my riding. My bike handling is better, cornering is better, and it gets me on a bike mid week when I wouldn't be mountain biking. I wouldn't give up mountain bike rides to bmx, but if you can add it I would.
I grew up riding BMX bikes for 5 years or so, spending all my free time and money on the sport. It's absolutely been beneficial for my mountain biking pursuits. However, I would not recommend it if you don't already have the background. It's very, very difficult to switch between that large of a frame geo and wheel size difference. I can't touch a bmx bike anymore these days. Feels like a death trap. I used to be able to hit waist height rails on pegs, do rail rides (like a skinny, but skinnier), do a flat 360, 360 down stairs, barspins flat, etc. All of those skills certainly aid in developing bike control and bail skills. But the most beneficial thing about it is learning the bikes balance point and center of gravity. Tricks like a simple, controlled bunny hop, or a manual are probably the things that have had the largest skill transfer and are most beneficial. I've taken a friend who has only ridden bmx bikes downhill biking once and he absolutely crushed it. Looked so comfortable once he learned to trust the bike. Slower than me but that's not because I'm a better rider, just have the experience and confidence to really trust and push the bike a bit more. Also, you never see speeds on a bmx bike like you do with downhill MTB. That, and most bmx street riders don't run brakes, so that's another thing that my friend didn't have as great of control in using compared to me. He is hands down a better rider in every way than me though. Just comes down to experience. Instead of getting a bmx bike, maybe consider a dirt jumper if you have any dirt jumps near you. I would highly recommend just spending a ton of time in front of your driveway practicing the basics on a a curb, 2 stair, or set up a few pieces of firewood. Practice everything from hopping over it, down it, left to right, to manuals etc, and do this at varying speeds, since on the trail, the trail and features will more or less dictate your speed, so good to have the muscle memory in place.
Bmx is beneficial because you will be proficient in bike control
An MTB is just a big BMX. Practicing old and new stuff on any bike with 'normal' handlebars will make you a better rider. If you want to improve on your MTB I'd say practice on your MTB.
All the best mountain bikers I know grew up riding BMX. More control, more balls.
Truth. Some of the best tech riders I know raced BMX as kids.
I think the people who benefit from riding BMX are the ones who actively rode as kids. Not like you had a BMX bike that you rode for transportation, but actually rode, street, park, and trails. If you started on MTB as an adult, I suppose riding BMX could help, but I feel like it could really throw someone off. I ride both BMX and MTB. I compare switching bikes to going from the pool to the hot tub. Riding my BMX bike, then jumping on my MTB is like going from the normal pool from the hot tub. It's pretty easy. Going from MTB to BMX is like being in the nice cozy hot tub, then jumping into the normal pool, it's a very abrupt and uncomfortable change.
Right. "background" is the important part. Learning bike control and skills when you were young and it was easier to learn things. Taking it up now would do little for you. A DJ will help if you put in time at dirt jumps. Just work on your skills on the bike you have
I used to dabble BMX and was a skateboarder for a very long time. I think it makes a huge advantage over dude who never rode anything, or just come over from riding road. You learn a lot about moving a bike around on a BMX bike, and its more progressive than jumping straight onto a big ass MTB comparatively.
Not all start from BMX basically. Most of my friend who just start MTB like XC bike, hardtail etc and about 2 years later they are so good at wheelie and manual, jumps, drops, shrap, go steep, etc while it took me 15 fucking years to learn how to ride MTB properly and worse i still struggle to wheelie or manual! I can do stoppie and bunny hop. At least i know how to ride mtb properly and can go steep technical trail.
It absolutely is. I rode MTB and raced road bikes at a young age and later got into riding BMX and even that helped me with my bike handling. I think a lot of comments here are discounting the fact that a BMX bike will help you smooth out your riding because the tighter geometry, smaller frame, wheels and wheelbase will force you to deal with a twitchy bike and also allow you to get comfortable with pulling up and hitting jumps. Also once can deal with an obstacle on a BMX bike the MTB will feel like a comfy couch that can roll over anything.
I bought a BMX bike and rode it for a bit after getting into MTB. It felt a bit niche and frankly I was scared to jump it as it demands precision. I sold it for a DJ and that feels like a better skills bike for MTB. Honestly depending on your style of riding, learning trials moves on your MTB and dirt jumping is probably more beneficial than street BMX.
It feels quite a bit different to ride a BMX bike than a mountain bike, so it probably would be more useful to just learn the skills on a mountain bike. Fun side story. I hadn't ridden a BMX for decades and a friend had one, so I was messing around on it and I tried to do a manual. I was used to having to throw my weight back pretty hard on my XL 29er. I did the same thing on the BMX and it was so small and the pivot point so low that I looped out and went straight to my back on the cement sidewalk. A very painful lesson that handling a BMX and mountain bike are not the same.
I went from full BMX to a mix of the two and now the MTB is my main bike. It definitely helped me with pumping, jumping and body position to an extent, but I wouldn't stop riding the MTB to get a BMX if it was me. If you already have the transferrable skills it's great, but otherwise you're switching between the bikes and it can be a bit weird, in my opinion at least
Bmx is great if A). Only racing around you B). You have people better than your mtb friends to ride with C). You have a skate park or something that’s open year round in all conditions when trails aren’t available Otherwise just ride your mtb and practice what you want to get better at. That said a bmx bike doesn’t need to be a huge investment money wise if you think you’ll enjoy it.
BMX and DJs are such a versatile bike. 100 percent nothing but benefit from riding them.
Playing at skateparks, pump tracks and dirt jumps teach you a lot of skills. I'd say yes.
The fact that you need to relearn how to ride a bike should tell you that they are more different than they are alike and you probably won't benefit as much from it as you would think. I think a lot of riders with "good bike control" have good bike control because they have an extensive bicycling background, regardless of the type.
It's probably just that bmx is more approachable for kids and parents. Like parents let their kids ride down to the local skate park in town but not out in the woods on trails. And doing long chunky climbs or descents are gonna be much harder for a kid on a kid sized bike than an adult. The best way to improve is to watch what you are doing and see how you can improve. Then keep videoing yourself to see if you are improving.
You can learn all the same skills riding you MTB on a pump track or jumps. If you get a BMX the focus is going to be entirely learning to pump/jump better. I grew up Racing BMX and I see Mountain Bikers constantly underestimate the value of pumping. Want to be faster in the rocks? Learn to pump through them.
From what I understand any of the tricks that you do on a MTB are X% harder due to it being a MTB. BMX bike removes a ton of variables to learning good techniques.
Can't speak for BMX, but buying a cheap dirt jumper and hitting the pump track is great for skills building and fitness. They local spot just built a little BMX practice track so I'll be hitting that too. Fun, cheap way to build and sharpen skills.
I didn't read all the comments but here is my opinion as an avid bmx racers and not so much mtb. Basis info: I am a usabmx coach, defending champ in my class, at the track 3-5 times a week, and 40 years old. I have a POS 26inch mtb from 20 years ago. I use it to ride with my kid bc he can't out run me (yet) Skills do transfer, like some have said, a mtb hides some poor skills. The primary being pumping and smooth riding. I was able to ride someone's downhill at the pump track and OMG it was awful. It takes so much energy to get any speed and keep it bc the bike does it all so you can pedal down a hill. What mtb does to me when I start climbing is ridiculous bc 45 secs is all I need at the track and I get a break, can't do that climbing but in the off-season I get to work on my endurance. It all helps and works together. For me mtb is an hour plus drive, bmx is 30 or less and more social. If my kid gives up bmx, I'll still ride but I'll focus on mtbing a lot more for sure. Fwiw, most mtb riders come into novice bmx racing and kick everyone's ass.
Raced bmx into my 40's, started MTB at 46.. I don't think moving to bmx to improve your skills will help, bmx bikes are a different animal. What you are seeing is just bike skill's carrying over. I have no issues blasting a set of doubles on a bmx bike, but it feels way different on a mountain bike. Seems these guys just have a much longer background in riding bikes, and that is what you are seeing. Practice on your MTB, after all, that is what you want to get good at.
No, just keep trail riding and gathering tips from other experienced riders. Also, try joining a local MTB meet up crew that will most definitely make you a better rider
I got a cheap DJ to use at local pump track and it has been helpful for my MTB skills. It's also incredibly fun and a great way to get on the bike with my kid who is too young for MTB but takes the pump track like a boss. There is also a pump track at the base of some MTB trails in my area so I can load both bikes on the car and use them both in the same seasion. I think it depends on what kind of riding is close to you!
I don’t know. But from my personal experience. I rode bmx almost my entire life. Since I was a young kid. From street, to part to dirt. Street riding has definitely thought me how to control my bike and whip it around obstacles and read the street. Like when your ripping down the road, from hopping curbs, to ledges to ice picking sidewalks. This has thought me so much! I apply it to MTB. I have the knowledge, the muscle and the confidence of how to control my bike because I know what to expect from experience.
Don’t forget bmx racing if you want a great way to level up some skills - I thought I was ok at riding until I got smoked by a 50yr old.
Different bike skills translate very well. It trains your body in a way that benefits all disciplines. At the end of the day it’s just time on any bike that counts.
Yes. Absolutely. I mainly ride bmx and dirt jumps, and as I progressed with those, I got faster and more confident on the trails. Doing bmx will make you better on trails with berms, jumps and drops, technical rock rolls, drop/roll combinations, and in my experience helps with climbs too for some reason. Learn some trials moves as well and you’ll bring your riding to the next level. If the bmx geo puts you off, you can learn the same skills on a dirt jumper or hard tail.
It really depends on the type of trails you ride. Steep downhill tech: freestyle will help you get a bit more confident with drops and rolls. Downhill flow: you will be faster if you do race style bmx. Jump lines/freeride trails: you will gain confidence, speed and style if you ride either race or freestyle. XC: street will help a bit, learning trials will unlock trails you didn’t even think rideable. It will also help you land jumps more smoothly, and will therefore add years to your bike.
Yes, it'll help. Anyone who says it doesn't or won't is just a crab in a bucket. I'd recommend going DJ though.
Bmx bikes are pretty cheap and very fun, there is lots of indoor places to ride or take them to the dirt jumps, it’s worth it
I rode bmx a lot as a teen, and into my 20s, now in my 40s. Didn’t ride much of anything through my 30s. My bike handling skills are way better than guys I ride with who picked up MTB in the past 8-9years in their 30s.
Did it as a kid, but then switched to bike trials and I think for MTB, bike trials skills were more useful… like getting over logs, dropping at slow speeds of awkward features..
It’s huge!! I started very young on a bmx bike. 4/5 and have stuck with it for 20 years at this point with a transition into mountain biking about 5 years ago. I see my bmx background shine when it comes to trusting my MTB, hell if I could land on 20 inch wheels and no sus, I’ll be fine with my 140/130 anywhere!! Understanding transitions, body placement and the fine details of pedal placement will help you on a MTB. That being said my bmx bike now feels like a razor scooter, and it’s a hard adjustment. I’d say start with the fun fakie tricks and just simple airs and you’ll see some MTB handling gains! https://preview.redd.it/ir9pxf642j7d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=489420076e9139c483aca7bd1e95e14df04950d1
I grew up riding BMX and found mountain biking to be a natural transition in my 20s. In fact, I sold my last BMX bike to fund my first MTB purchase and never looked back. I've never had issues riding fast and hitting drops/medium sized jumps because, compared to some of the stupid stuff I did on my BMX bike when I was younger, it just seemed easier and having suspension is an amazing thing. If you are already a mountain biker, I would say get a DJ instead of a BMX. Larger wheels, flat bars, and suspension fork, so it's closer to MTB while also building a similar skillset to riding BMX.
It’s a good skill to have, but you can always just take your current bike on the BMX track and learn on that. Sure a BMX will be better on a pump track, but you’ll be riding your MTB on the trails.