Picking a BMX isn't quite as simple as choosing a decent colour and an eye-catching design. To a casual observer they might all seem like they are simply small bikes, but while they might all be the same size, choosing the right BMX bike for you is a much more intricate process.

The first step is to decide the style of riding you are likely to do. There are three main styles of BMX and each will demand different capabilities from a bike. These are Freestyle, racing and vert. Freestyle involves tricks on ramps or obstacles while racing is all about speed and tackling jumps, with vert being the kind you see taking place in a half pipe.

If you are unsure, then it may benefit you to pick up a cheap BMX bike initially to try out the styles. While a cheap BMX might not give you the freedom to practice all aspects of the different styles, it will certainly help you get a feel for which you are more likely to enjoy.

For freestyle riding, bikes with vey specific customisation are common. However, while you are learning, choosing a bike with slicker tyres will help to give more grip on concrete, while if you are planning to be practicing tricks on the street having heavy duty parts and no breaks is often a great advantage.

For racing, a lighter frame is preferable to help gain greater speed and get higher on jumps.

Vert bikes should be heavier to increase stability and control. Strong wheels with a smooth tread will also help keep control during manoeuvres.

Picking the right bike is different for everyone, so with these basics, once you have a good idea of your own riding style you can customise your bike accordingly and make sure you get the most out of your BMX.

• Diamondback 5 pin .019 sight lost.
• Built-in harmonic damper. Durable lightweight construction.
• CNC machined from 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum. Sleek round housing. Red level.
• Separate windage and elevation for precise leveling. Fixed plate mounting bracket.
• Five stainless-steel pins. Available in three pin sizes: .010, .019 or .029.

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More and more, in parks up and down the country, hulks of wood are cropping up shaped into ramps and ledges, and filled with young people. Whilst on first glance it may seem like a large number of teenagers have suddenly taken a keen interest in DIY, in truth it is just a testament to the growing popularity of BMX stunt riding.

Whilst younger children have always had playgrounds to meet and socialise in, there have always been very few meeting points for teenagers - places where they can indulge in the things they enjoy and places where they can commune without being viewed as a threat. As the skateboard and BMX have thrived once more in popularity, more and more kids and teenagers spoke up about how they needed somewhere to practice their stunts, as well as simply having somewhere to go of an evening to enjoy themselves. Finally, the often out of touch councils started to pay attention and the great benefits that skate parks brought soon caught on, with more and more communities constructing such sites.

The benefits weren't only for the teenagers and young adults who enjoyed using them to get the most out of their skateboards and BMX bikes, but also for the community as a whole, with many often seeing falling crime as a result of offering kids - and adults - the chance to do what they love.

There is a major social aspect to the skate park scene with many who don't own BMX bikes or skateboards still heading there to get involved in the sense of community that they offer. For young and old, BMXing and skateboarding are growing in popularity all the time, both as a great form of exercise and also as a great way to be socially interactive. And this trend doesn't look likely to change anytime soon.

• Low-profile BMX pegs for grinds
• Multi-purpose design with steel construction
• Thread onto 3/8-inch axles (24t, 26t sizes)
• Knurled surface for improved traction
• Pegs measure 3 inches long

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If your child is begging you for a BMX, you may well be put off by the idea of them trying out all kinds of stunts and in the process causing themself a serious injury. You may also be less than convinced that it is a practical buy, not offering the same potential for transport that a mountain bike, say, might offer.

So if your child really wants a BMX, should you buy them one?

BMX bikes may seem to be more limited in function than a mountain bike for instance, but in reality, they can actually perform many more functions. In this way, the chances are that your child will be heading out on them more often and therefore getting lots of valuable exercise in the process. Whilst other bikes are usually simply a way of getting from A to B, these bikes are a lot more than that and can be not only a form of transport, but also offer many more options to the aspiring sporty child. They also bring much more potential for social interaction for your child than other bikes will bring.

Not only that, but the safety aspect shouldn't worry you too much either. Simply ensure that they have the right pads and that they are fully aware of the right places to go and use their bikes, whether that is a skate park to try out tricks or the right areas to test out there racing skills. Using any bike can potentially have dangers associated with them, but actually getting children to wear the right protective gear when riding BMX bikes will be a lot easier than trying to get them to wear pads on any other kind of bike.

So don't be put off, the right bike will give them a whole lot of pleasure and help them get fit at the same time. So what's not to like?

• High-quality 20-inch BMX bike with DB double-butted chromoly frame
• DB fluted chromoly fork with 1-piece machined steerer tube
• Shadow Conspiracy Interlock V2 chain; Belter/Undertone tires
• DB sound pedals with alloy platforms; Alienation Deviant/440 rims
• Alienation Transfer Seattle Edition saddle; 25.4mm pivotal seatpost

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