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{{Short description|Cycle sport}}
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
{{Infobox sport
{{Original research|article|date=December 2008}}
| name = Freestyle BMX
[[Image:BMX rider silhouette.jpg|thumb|200px|A freestyle rider practicing in the [[halfpipe]].]]
| image = Glenn Salyers.jpg
'''Freestyle BMX''' is a creative way of using bicycles originally designed for [[BMX|bicycle motocross]] racing. It can be split into several disciplines, although riders will generally participate in more than one discipline. These are Street, Park, Vert, Trails (sometimes called Dirt) and Flatland.
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| union = [[Union Cycliste Internationale|UCI]]
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| region = Worldwide
| registered =
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| type = [[Cycle sport]]
| equipment = [[BMX bike]]
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| olympic = since [[2020 Summer Olympics|2020]]
| world =
| paralympic =
| obsolete =
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'''Freestyle BMX''' is [[bicycle motocross]] stunt riding on [[BMX bike]]s. It is an [[extreme sport]] descended from [[BMX racing]] that consists of five disciplines: street, park, vert, trails, and flatland. In June 2017, the [[International Olympic Committee]] announced that freestyle park was to be added as an Olympic event to the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMX Freestyle returns for its second Olympic Games at Paris 2024 after making its competitive debut at Tokyo 2020 |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/sports/cycling-bmx-freestyle}}</ref>


==Disciplines==
==Early years==


The earliest photographic documentation of BMX freestyle shows<ref>{{Cite web|title = Article, "In the Beginning"|url = https://www.fatbmx.com/bmx-freestyle/item/4033--in-the-beginning-true-story-by-todd-bank-bmx-freestyle-in-the-making|website = www.fatbmx.com|access-date = 2023-05-09}}</ref> Devin and Todd Bank in 1974 riding BMX bikes on an eight foot tall skateboard ramp they built at their childhood home in West Los Angeles, California. This was the birth of BMX ramp riding. Devin Bank was also documented doing<ref>{{Cite web|title = bmx freestyle history |url=http://www.bmxfreestylehistory.com/#!bio/c1ktj|website = bmx freestyle history|access-date = 2016-02-01}}</ref> 360 degree freestyle spinning tricks on the street and also in the air by jumping off curbs. Skateboarder Magazine then published photos of kids on bikes riding in empty household swimming pools in 1975. In 1975 kids started riding bikes in concrete reservoir channels in Escondido San Diego, California. In 1976 Devin and Todd Bank <ref>{{Cite web|title = In The Beginning - An Old-School Story {{!}} Ride BMX|url = http://bmx.transworld.net/features/in-the-beginning-an-old-school-story/#wopr8JsJS9DKzOSx.97|website = Ride BMX|access-date = 2016-02-01|language = en-US}}</ref> began riding BMX bikes inside the Runway Skatepark in Carson California. And, bike riders were also seen in 1976 riding at Carlsbad Skatepark in Carlsbad, California. Bob Haro and John Swanguen rode BMX bikes at Skateboard Heaven, a concrete skatepark in San Diego, California, late 1976. Later they transformed freestyle beyond skateparks by creating new bike tricks on flat streets. In the fall of 1977 Bob Haro was hired as a staff artist at BMX Action Magazine where he be friended R.L. Osborn, son of the magazine publisher Bob Osborn. Haro and R.L. often practiced freestyle moves in their free time.
===Park===
[[Skatepark]]s are used by BMXers as well as skateboarders, inline skaters and sometimes scooter-riders. Skateparks themselves can be made of [[wood]], [[concrete]] or metal. Styles of riding will depend on the style of the parks. Concrete is more suited to a flowing style, with riders searching for gaps, and aiming to air higher from the [[Coping (architecture)|coping]]. Concrete parks usually tend to contain bowls and pools. However, it is not unusual for riders to merge the two styles in either type of park.


[[File:Freestyle BMX.webm|thumb|Freestyle BMX video]]
Concrete parks are commonly built outdoors due to their ability to withstand years of exposure to the elements. Concrete parks are also often publicly funded due to their permanent and costly nature. Parks made from wood are popular with commercial skateparks due to ease of construction, availability of materials, cost, and the relative safety associated with falling on wood instead of concrete. Parks designed with BMX use in mind will typically have steel coping that is less prone to damage than concrete or pool coping.
In the summer of 1978, Paramount, Lakewood, and other Southern California skateparks began reserving sessions or whole days exclusively for BMX bikes. BMX racer [[Tinker Juarez]] was innovating freestyle moves in vert bowls at Lakewood Ca Park, while William "Crazy Lacy" Furmage was innovating freestyle at the Paramount Ca Skatepark.<ref>Skateboarder Magazine, February 1980</ref>


BMX Action Magazine published the first freestyle how to article in their January/February 1979 issue which showed Bob Haro doing a "rock walk."<ref>BMX Action Magazine, January/February 1979, pg.34</ref>
===Vert===
[[Image:Halfpipe.jpg|thumb|Vert ramp]]
Perhaps the most extreme of the BMX disciplines, a [[half pipe]] consists of two [[quarter pipe]]s set facing each other (much like a [[mini ramp]]), but at around 10-15 feet tall (around 2.5 to 3.5 metres) high. The biggest ramp ever used in competition is the X-Games big air ramp at 27 feet tall. Both 'faces' of the ramp have an extension to the transition that is vertical, hence the name.


BMX bike riders also performed a demonstration freestyle show in 1979 during a skate competition at Rocky Mountain Surf Skatepark in [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref>Skateboarder Magazine, February 1989</ref>
Riders go up each jump, performing tricks in the air before landing into the transition having turned 180 degrees (assumptively. variations include 540, 900). A typical run involves going from one side to the other, airing above the coping each side. Also possible are 'lip tricks' - tricks on the platform at the top of the ramps before dropping into the ramp.


Towards the end of 1979, William "Crazy Lacy" Furmage and Tony Ray Davis formed the Super Style II BMX Trick Team and later began performing freestyle shows at [[BMX racing|BMX races]] and other events.<ref>{{cite book
[[Mat Hoffman]] popularized the sport in the early 90s, until recently holding the record for the highest jump of 27' out of a 25' ramps, beaten by [[Kevin Robinson]] in 2008 (a total of over 15.5 metres from the ground). He achieved this by being dragged along a field by a friend with a motorbike and hitting one face of the ramp. On one attempt, he lost control at the peak of his jump, and the resulting crash caused life-threatening injuries involving losing his spleen. Remarkably, despite his age and history of injuries, he still competes to this day.
|author=Toshach, Don
|title=Freestyling
|publisher=Perigee Books
|location=New York, NY
|year=1987
|page=11
|isbn=9780399513336
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7EnmAAAACAAJ
}}</ref> After the Super Style II BMX Trick Team became known, other organized trick teams were founded and quickly gained prominence. The freestyle movement at this point was all underground. Although several BMX manufacture-sponsored freestyle teams were touring the US, they were promoting the sport of BMX in general, not specifically freestyle.


The American Freestyle Association (AFA) was the first governing body for BMX freestyle, founded by [[Bob Morales]] in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympedia – Cycling BMX Freestyle |url=https://www.olympedia.org/sports/BMF |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.olympedia.org}}</ref>
The danger of the discipline (and scarcity of full-size vert ramps) puts most riders off, and as such, there are a small number of top professionals who remain at the top of the sport for many years. Notable vert riders include [[Dave Mirra]], [[Chad Kagy]], and [[Jamie Bestwick]] (who has won the majority of all the major international competitions in recent years). Other up-and-coming vert riders include 18 year old Zack Warden, who landed the first [[tailwhip]] to opposite tailwhip back in vert ramp, commonly referred to as a "[[windshield wiper]]".


Bob Osborn founded a slick quarterly magazine devoted solely to freestyle BMX. In the summer of 1984, [[Freestylin' Magazine]] made its debut. The BMX world suddenly noticed the sport's massive potential. Manufacturers hurried to the drawing boards to develop new freestyle bikes, components, and accessories, and began searching for talented riders to sponsor. Bike shops began stocking freestyle products. The AFA began to put on organized flatland and quarter-pipe competitions.
===Trails===
[[Image:Overlook double.jpg|thumb|A freshly built double at the overlook trails in New Jersey.]]Trails are, as the name suggests, lines of jumps built from dirt (heavily compacted mud).It can also be named as a pack such as a 4 pack, 6 pack and 8 pack. The jumps consist of a steep take off, called a lip, with an often slightly less steep landing. The lip and landing are usually built as separate mounds, divided by a gap. The gap is measured from the topmost part of the lip, horizontally to the topmost part of the far side of the landing. Gaps typically range from only a couple of feet to over twenty feet. A moderate gap is around twelve feet.


==Peak and decline in popularity==
Trails riding is sometimes also referred to as '[[dirt jumping]]'. Most riders that ride trails maintain that a subtle difference exists in the style and flow of "dirt jumps" and "trails"; trails riders focus more on of a flowing smooth style from one jump to the next whilst performing more stylish tricks, while dirt jumpers try to perform the craziest tricks they can over larger, less flow-orientated jumps. This flowing trails style is popularized by riders such as Mike Aitken, Chase Hawk and Chris Doyle.


From 1980 until 1987, freestyle BMX increased in popularity to a peak in 1987. During this period, the sport progressed with the release of new bike models, components, and accessories designed strictly for freestyle. For example, [[Haro Bikes|Haro]] released the Haro FST, Sport, and Master each year, with blazing graphical colors, new look, and new frame designs.
Although many regard trails and street as being completely opposite, the attraction is similar—trails riders build their own jumps so their riding is limited only by their creativity and resourcefulness.


In the early 1990s, BMX freestyle suffered a decline in its commercial popularity; subsequently a number of large companies reduced or terminated their investment in the sport. In this economic climate, communities of new rider-owned companies and initiatives began to re-define the sport according to their own needs and interests, paving the way for what is now{{when|date=August 2021}} a largely new lead in the industry with clothing companies and material companies. This decline and subsequent new phase of the sport's development into an independently driven industry was notably referenced in the introduction to the BMX video ''Ride On'' (directed by Eddie Roman).
Dirt jumping bikes are heavier than BMX racing bikes but lighter than freestyle bikes. Trails riders usually run a rear brake only as they have no use for a front brake, and usually a gyro to make it easier to do barspins as they do not have to spins the bars back the other way to untangle it, which is hard to do on trails. In general, trail/dirt jumping bikes have longer wheelbases then other BMXs to aid with stability.


== Practice disciplines ==
With trails you do not need to pedal so much in between jumps. By pumping you gain speed to clear the jumps. Pumping involves landing smoothly on the backside of the lander, bending your knees and crouching down between jumps, and then extending your legs and springing upward off the next lip. The upward springing motion is very similar to that of a [[Bunny hop (cycling)|bunny hop]], only you are using your legs to boost higher off a jump rather than your sole method of vertical propulsion. This pumping action works like swinging on a swing, you can keep swinging indefinitely by continuing the pumping action.
Freestyle BMX riders participate in several well-established disciplines. As in the other forms of freestyle riding, there are no specific rules; style/aesthetics, skills, and creativity are emphasised.


===Flatland===
=== Street ===
Street riders make use of urban and public spaces to perform tricks. These tricks can be performed on curbs, handrails, stairs, ledges, banks, and other obstacles. Styles among street riders vary, as riders often depend upon their urban surroundings. BMX street rose to prominence as an increasingly defined discipline in the late 1980s.
{{main|Flatland BMX}}
[[Image:Bmx santa monica beach.jpg|thumb|BMX Flatland rider at Santa Monica beach.]]
Flatland BMX occupies a position somewhat removed from the rest of freestyle BMX. People who ride in the above disciplines will generally take part in at least one of the others, but flatlanders tend to only ride flatland. They are often very dedicated and will spend several hours a day perfecting their technique.


In modern BMX, the progression of more technical tricks on street obstacles has led to this discipline becoming more divided from other freestyle disciplines. BMX bikes aimed at street riding typically have steeper angles and shorter wheelbases, making them easier to maneuver, but less stable at the higher speeds associated with ramp and dirt riding.
Flatland also differs from the others in that the terrain used is nothing but a smooth, flat surface (e.g. an asphalt parking lot, basketball courts, etc.). Tricks are performed by spinning and balancing in a variety of body and bicycle positions. Riders almost always use gnurled aluminum pegs to stand on to manipulate the bike into even stranger positions.


Within street BMX there are a handful of competitions, however, the majority of professional street riders tend to focus on making videos for DVDs and [[YouTube]] videos on behalf of their sponsors. Only a handful of riders tend to focus on both, with competition courses and corporate sponsorships not considered 'core' street riding by many riders. One rider who has succeeded in both competitions and video projects is Garret Reynolds. Garret has won 13 [[Xgames|X Games]] medals, as well as Ride BMX Nora Cup Awards for Video Part of The Year and Street Rider of the Year, and is largely considered one of the best BMX Street riders ever.
Flatland bikes typically have a shorter wheelbase than other freestyle bikes. Flatland bikes differ from dirt jumping bikes and freestyle bikes in one way. The frames are often more heavily reinforced because the people riding flatland often stand on the frames. This shorter wheelbase requires less effort to make the bike spin or to position the bike on one wheel. One of the primary reasons flatlanders often ride only flatland is a result of the decreased stability of using a shorter bike on ramps, dirt and street.


=== Park ===
A variety of options are commonly found on flatland bikes. The most unifying feature of flatland bikes is the use of four pegs, one on the end of each wheel axle. Flatland riders will choose to run either a front brake, a rear brake, both brakes, or no brakes at all, depending on stylistic preference.
Park denotes the BMX discipline of exclusively riding skateparks, often with an emphasis on riding bowl transitions or jump boxes.


[[Skatepark]]s are used by BMX riders as well as skateboarders, inline skaters and freestyle scooter-riders. Skateparks themselves can be made of [[wood]], [[concrete]] or [[metal]]. Styles of riding will depend on the style of the parks. Wood is more suited to a flowing style, with riders searching for gaps and aiming to get the highest airs from the [[Coping (architecture)|coping]]. Concrete parks usually tend to contain bowls and pools. However, it is not unusual for riders to merge the two styles in either type of park.
==Bikes==
[[Image:Freestyle BMX bike.jpg|thumb|An older style modified Haro, 2000-3.]]
Concrete parks are commonly built outdoors due to their ability to withstand years of exposure to the elements of conditions. Concrete parks are also often publicly funded due to their permanent and low-cost nature in comparison to wood parks. Parks made from wood are popular with commercial skateparks, but harder to maintain, as the wood can start to decompose over time, or the features can be damaged through extensive use. Wooden parks are often considered safer than concrete, as during an impact, the wooden surface deflects by a small amount, in contrast to concrete, which is inelastic. Parks designed with BMX use in mind will typically have steel coping along the side that is less prone to damage than concrete or pool coping.
The vast majority of freestyle bikes utilize 20 inch wheels. Frame sizes and geometry vary, but the top tubes are usually between 20 to 22 inches long. Beginner riders tend to purchase store bought complete bikes and often customize their bike with after-market parts, generally as parts break such as forks, pedals and cranks to suit their specific needs. More experienced riders however usually build custom bikes from the ground up to suit their preferences and style of riding, which is much more expensive but allows for greatest customization based on personal preference.


There are a number of competitions that focus on the BMX park discipline, with [[X Games]] typically focusing on progressive tricks and large jumps, and other competitions such as the [[Vans]] BMX Pro Cup focusing more on flowing and stylish riding on bowl style courses.
Generally, street riders use slicker tires for more grip on concrete, and may use up to four axle pegs for grinding. Riders generally have a preferred side for grinding and may run 2 pegs only on one side. However, adding an additional 2 pegs to the non-preferred side can open up a great deal of trick variations such as crooked grinds. Street riders also tend to ride big bars for easier tailwhips. Smaller gearing is also preferred among street riders. Street riders tend to run brakeless for many reasons such as "barspins are smoother" and "you have more control over the bike".


In June 2017, the [[Olympic Committee]] announced that BMX freestyle park would be featured at the [[2020 Summer Olympics|Summer 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games]].
Park riders use a very similar setup to street riders. Some park riders however prefer to use brakes (rear or both) for an increased variety of tricks and more control. Park bikes may differ to street bikes in the fact that they are not as reliant on heavy duty high-strength parts as park riding is often much less stressful on the bike.


=== Vert Ramp ===
Dirt riders usually don't have pegs unless they want to do peg specific non-grind tricks such as rocket airs, and use knobby tires for better grip in the loose dirt. Dirt bikes also tend to run only a rear brake as they do not have a need for a front brake, and have longer top tubes and wheelbases. Many riders use bigger bars for more control, although big bars have become a trend among kids and popular professional riders. Dirt bikes generally at least have chromoly top and down/seat tubes and forks to increase durability and prevent bending of parts (especially forks) when landing large jumps.
[[Image:Half-Pipe Vert Ramp.svg|thumb|Vert ramp]]
Vert is a freestyle BMX discipline performed in a [[half pipe]] consisting of two [[quarter pipe]]s set facing each other (much like a [[mini ramp]]), but at around 10–15 feet tall (around 2.5 to 3.5 meters high). The biggest ramp ever used in competition is the [[X-Games]] big air ramp at {{convert|27|ft|m}} tall. Both ‘faces’ of the ramp have an extension to the transition that is vertical, hence the name. Coping is a round metal tube at the lip of the vert that helps freestyle BMXers do grinds, and stalls on the lip of the vert.


Riders go up each jump, performing air tricks before landing into the transition having turned 180 degrees. A typical run involves going from one side to the other, airing above the coping each side. Also possible are 'lip tricks' - tricks on the platform at the top of the ramps before dropping into the ramp. Many tricks consist of the rider grabbing a part of the bike or removing body parts off the bike.
A professional who primarily competes in park contests will probably have a gyro with rear brakes only, zero to 4 pegs, and a lightweight bike. This is because riders in contests usually have a limited time, 60 seconds or less, and have to perform very difficult tricks consistently.


===Trails===
Vert bikes are relatively heavy for stability and control, with four pegs.
[[File:BMX Trails.jpg|thumb|Freshly faced dirt jumps at a set of BMX trails in Indiana.]]
Trails are paths that lead to jumps made of heavily compacted dirt. Jumps in the same path, or "line", are sometimes referred to as packs, such as a four pack, a six pack, or an eight pack, which would have two, three, and four jumps respectively. A dirt jump consists of a steep take off, called a lip, with an often slightly less steep landing. The lip and landing are usually built as separate mounds, divided by a gap. The gap is measured from the topmost part of the lip, horizontally to the topmost part of the far side of the landing. Gaps typically range from only a couple of feet to over twenty feet. A moderate gap is around twelve feet.


Trails riding is sometimes also referred to as "[[dirt jumping]]". Most trails riders maintain that a subtle difference exists in the style and flow of "dirt jumps" and "trails"; trails riders focus more on a flowing smooth style from one jump to the next while performing other stylish tricks, while dirt jumpers try to perform the craziest tricks they can over larger, less flow-oriented jumps.
Flatland riders bikes usually run four oversize pegs, and smaller, lighter frames often with pre-bent tubes to make it easier to do flatland tricks. Flatland BMXs most of the time have both front and rear brakes, as many tricks require them to exit a trick or aid in weight distribution. Top tubes on flatland bikes are also shorter (about 17-19 inches) Flatland bikes almost always have small sprockets (25 to 30 teeth) and low gearing, to make it easier to pedal out of tricks, as there is no need for them to ride fast.
Trails riders usually run a rear brake only as they have no use for a front brake, and usually a rotor (gyro) to make it easier to do barspins, so they do not have to spin the bars back the other way to untangle them, which is hard to do on trails. In general, trail/dirt jumping bikes have longer [[wheelbase]]s ([[chainstay]]s) than other BMX bikes to aid with stability in mid-air.


===Flatland===
Before there was a "true" freestyle bicycle, riders used BMX racing frames for jumping and for performing flatland maneuvers. Bob Haro was the founder of the first freestyle bicycles company, [[Haro Bikes]]. Most of the early Haro Freestyler bicycles are collectible items that sell for several thousand dollars. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianlloyd/sets/72157594215346123/] The first freestyle bicycles were not as riding style-specific as modern ones; what made them suitable for flatland usually was the addition of bolt-on components, like standing pegs, platforms for the frame, the forks or the chain stays near the rear dropouts, and front and rear brake cable detangler systems like the ACS Rotor for the rear brake and the Potts Mod, a hollow stem wedge bolt for the front brake. By mid-90s, riding style differentiation in frames and components became the norm.
{{main|Flatland BMX}}
[[Image:Bmx santa monica beach.jpg|thumb|BMX Flatland rider Caleb Rider at Santa Monica beach.]]
Flatland BMX occupies a position somewhat removed from the rest of freestyle BMX. People who ride in the above disciplines will generally take part in at least one of the others, but flatlanders tend to only ride flatland. They are often very dedicated and will spend several hours a day perfecting their technique.


Flatland also differs from the others in that the terrain used is nothing but a smooth, flat surface (e.g. an asphalt parking lot, basketball courts, etc.). Tricks are performed by spinning and balancing in a variety of body and bicycle positions. Riders almost always use knurled aluminum pegs to stand on to manipulate the bike into even stranger positions.
Coming into the 2000s BMX bikes have taken a turn for technology. Past trends of strength over weight have flipped once again and now new technologies have led to stronger parts at lighter weights. Many innovations are coming from MTB, Road, and other forms of cycling. New innovations in the BMX world include:
Flatland bikes typically have a shorter wheelbase than other freestyle bikes. Flatland bikes differ from dirt jumping bikes and freestyle bikes in one way. The frames are often more heavily reinforced because the people riding flatland often stand on the frames. This shorter wheelbase requires less effort to make the bike spin or to position the bike on one wheel. One of the primary reasons flat landers often ride only on flatland is the decreased stability of a shorter bike on ramps, dirt courses and streets.
A variety of options are commonly found on flatland bikes, because it is in an open space. The most unifying feature of flatland bikes is the use of four pegs, one on the end of each wheel axle. Flatland riders will choose to run either a front brake, a rear brake, both brakes, or no brakes at all, depending on stylistic preference.


==Tricks==
*Integrated / Internal headsets
:Commonplace in road-bikes for many years, they are now the norm for BMX, replacing the tried and true press fit cups seen in the past.
*Mid / Spanish / European bottom brackets (BB)
:All smaller than the traditional American bottom brackets seen on many older BMX bikes, these save weight, clean up appearances, and add ease of use with threads and straight push fit bearings. Mid and Spanish bottom brackets use bearings that press directly into the frames, the basic design of which was used on road bikes years ago. No cups are used. Mid BB's use larger bearings than Spanish.
*Integrated seatclamps
:Old technology making its way to BMX once again.
*Integrated seat/Seatpost combination
:An innovation from BMX that is now being used for all forms of cycling. These seats are much easier to fit and much lighter.
*Pivotal seatposts
:Pivotal seats and posts utilize a single bolt locking mechanism to hold the seat is place. The seat is adjusted with an [[allen wrench]] through a small slit in the top or side of the seat. Pivotal posts hold the seat on much better than normal rail posts and are lighter.
*Kevlar beaded tires - Kevlar is much stronger, lighter and more expensive than steel which is used as the bead for traditional tires. Some companies have started combining Kevlar beads with very thin tire carcasses, which make for super-light and very expensive tires. The primary function of these tires is to reduce rotating weight, which has a substantial effect on the feel of a bike.


=== Air tricks ===
Over time, many parts have been popular for strength, comfort and such, thus making many riders enjoy them/buy them, but some rebel and choose not to ride these parts, and then have an excuse to call riders with those parts "trend posers". Some of the parts include small sprockets (25 or less teeth), big bars (26-29" width, 7.5-8.25" rise) etc.
These tricks take place in the air. Freestyle dirt BMX involves many air tricks.


* 180° jump: The rider and bike spin 180° in the air and land backwards, in what is called [[fakie]] (riding backwards).
Other products have emerged from companies that have pushed the envelope of what technology can do in BMX, from one-bolt stems, to antique ideas making a come back with modifications, BMX is in a new era, parts are more reliable and bikes are lighter, the BMX world is getting in key with other cycling sports.
* 360 windshield wiper: the rider does a 360 downside tailwhip (Decade) then an opposite tailwhip in one air.
* 360° jump: The rider and bike spin 360°.
* 360° nose tap: rider does a 360 then inverts into a nose tap on a bench, box, ramp, etc.
* 540 cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 540 degree rotation, with no need to finish to fakie/rollout.
* 540 tailwhip: The rider does a 540 in the air then a tailwhip.
* 540° aerial: The rider picks up the bike and spins it 540 degrees.
* 720: two 360's in one jump.
* 720° jump: Rider and bike spin 720°.
* 900° aerial: Rider and bike spin 900°.
* 1260° aerial: Rider and bike spin 1260°.
* 1440° jump: Rider and bike spin 1440°.
* Backflip: Both rider and bike do a backward flip while in midair.
* Barhop: The rider kicks both legs over the handlebar crossbar.
* Barspin: Spinning the handle bars one full rotation around and catching them.
* Bikeflip: The rider flips their bicycle without moving their body in mid air.
* Bus Driver: A unique variation of the barspin, spinning the handle bars one full rotation around while keeping 1 hand on the bars to spin them like a bus steering wheel and catching them.
* Can can: The rider brings a foot over the bike's top tube to the other side.
* Candy bar: The rider takes 1 foot off the pedal and puts it over the bar making the shape of a candy cane with their legs.
* Candybar: The rider kicks one leg over the handlebar crossbar.
* Carcrash/Helicopter: barspin and a crankflip <ref>{{cite web | url=http://bmx.transworld.net/1000146723/videos/how-to-suicide-no-hander-with-shane-weston/ | title=Men's Journal }}</ref>
* Cash roll: Invented by Daniel Dhers, similar to a 360 backflip but instead of rotating while upside-down the rider does a 180-backflip-180.
* Crankflip: The rider bunny hops and kicks the pedals backwards so the crank arms spin one full crank around and then the feet catch back onto the pedals to stop the cranks.
* Decade: Similar to the flatland decade, the riders throw themselves around the bike while still holding on the handlebars before coming back round to meet the bike and land on the pedals.
* Disaster: A rider jumps and purposely lands the back tire and sprocket on a ledge or ramp, usually done on a quarter pipe from a 180.
* Dive Bomber: A variation of the Superman created by James Hirst where the rider becomes inverted and taps their nose on the front tire.
* Double Peg Stall: the rider jumps and lands the pegs on a ledge without grinding and balances in a still position.
* ET: The rider is in mid air and pedals one full crank as though they are riding normally.
* Fast plant: A rider jumps or rides off a ramp and plants their foot down quickly. This is usually done on a gap or ramp and tied with a 180 coming out of a ramp.
* Flair: Both rider and bike do a backflip combined with a 180, to land facing back down the ramp. Usually performed on a quarter pipe.
* Frontflip: Both rider and bike do a forward flip while in midair.
* Full cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 360 degree rotation, making the bike return in the same position, and having to finish the fakie/rollout.
* Gap: Jumping over a gap.
* Half cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 180 degree rotation, completing the fakie, rollout.
* Invert: Bringing the bike up to one side without turning the bars.
* Jeep Driver: A unique variation of the barspin, grabbing the crossbar and spinning the handle bars one full rotation around and catching them.
* Lookback: Similar to the turn down, the rider turns the handlebar and his body to one side, while the frame wraps itself to the rider's legs, turning to the other side. On vert ramps, it's done in aerials, and the rider seems to be 'looking back', hence the name.
* Nac nac: The rider bring one foot over the back tire to the other side while whipping out the back end of the bike.
* Ninja Drop/caveman: A standing rider holds the bars and seat of the bike over a ramp or drop, then jumps into the air and on the bike, landing in a riding position.
* No-footed can: The rider does a can can but takes the other foot off the pedal as well, so that both legs are on one side of the bike.
* No-footed nac: The rider does a nac nac but takes the other foot off the pedal as well, so that both legs are on one side of the bike.
* No Hander: The rider tucks in the handlebars and takes both hands off.
* Nothing: The rider lets go of the handlebars and pedal at the same time in mid air.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcoIkOSC0ko |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/RcoIkOSC0ko |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=How To Nothing, Peta Shepherd, Alli Sports BMX Step By Step Trick Tips|last=AlliSports|date=25 May 2012|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* One-handed X-up: The rider takes off 1 hand and turns the bars at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.
* Pedal grab: The rider grabs a pedal.
* Peg grab: The rider grabs a peg, usually on the front of their bike. Also known as a lucky dip.
* Running Man: A rider jumps towards a wall, taking both feet off the bike, runs on the wall, then jumps back on the bike.
* Sprocket stall: A rider jumps and lands on the sprocket, usually done with a guarded sprocket to reduce wear on the bike.
* Suicide Barspin: A variation of the Suicide no-hander where the rider spins the bars in a 360 degree rotation while stretching out their hands.
* Suicide no-hander: The rider lets go of only the handle bars similar to a tuck no-hander, but rather stretches their arms out to the sides without tucking the bike while pinching the seat with knees.
* Superman: The rider removes both feet and extends them outwards to resemble [[Superman]] in flight.
* Superman seat grab: A variation of the superman where the rider takes one hand off the handle bars and grabs the seat while extending their body before grabbing back on to the bars and landing
* Tabletop: While in the air the rider will bring the bike up to one side of them by turning the handlebars and using body movement making the bike look like it is flat like the top of a table. Commonly confused with the "invert" trick which does not include much turning of the bars, but still executes the move in a tabletop manner.
* [[Tailwhip]]: The rider throws the bike out to one side while still holding onto the handle bars so that the frame goes 360° around the steering tube; the rider then catches the frame again and stands back on the pedals. Variations include the double whip, triple whip, etc.
* TE/Chainsaw: The rider is in mid air and pedals backwards one full crank quickly. Basically an ET, but in reverse.
* Tire grab: The rider grabs the front tire.
* Toboggan (often abbreviated as T-bog): The rider takes one hand off the bars and turns the bars and grabs their seat, then returns their hand to the bars before landing.
* Transfer: A transfer is when you go up one ramp then go onto another ramp.
* Truckdriver: The rider spins the bike 360 degrees whilst doing a barspin in the opposite direction while in mid air.
* Turn down: On a vert ramp, the rider turns the handlebars downwards and into their legs, wrapping them around the frame, while the frame itself still points up.
* Wall ride: A rider jumps and rides on a wall, then rides or jumps off.
* X-up: The rider turns the bars at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.
* X-down: The rider turns the bars in the opposite direction to an X-up at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.


Variations and combinations of these tricks also exist, for example a 360° tailwhip would be where the rider spins 360° in one direction and the frame of the bike spins 360° around the steer tube, both bike and rider will then meet again, with the rider catching the pedals, facing the same direction as before the trick.
===Freestyle BMX-specific bicycle parts===


=== Flatland tricks ===
*[[Detangler]] / [[Gyro]] / [[Rotor]]
BMX flatland tricks usually involve much balance, more often than not with only one wheel in contact with the ground.
:A device that prevents the rear brake cable from becoming tangled during barspins, tailwhips, or any tricks that require the handlebars to spin 360 degrees or more. A 'gyro' is a two piece device that ''floats'' under the stem and rotates on ball bearings. The top cable from the rear brake lever connects to one half of the device while the bottom cable from the rear brake connects to the other half. When the brake lever is pulled the 'gyro' raises and in turn pulls the lower cable attached to the brake. This allows the bars to be spun around infinitely.
*Pott's mod bolt
:A hollow stem bolt (Also Known as a "Star Nut" )that allows the front brake cable to be run through the stem and fork. This allows the bars to be spun 360 degrees or more without tangling the front brake cable.
*Axle Pegs
:Short 3 to 5 inch long tubes. Street pegs used for grinding tend to be made of chromoly. Some street pegs designed for lightness will either have a thinner chromoly sleeve over an aluminum body, or simply be made out of a tough plastic compound. Flatland pegs tend to be made of aluminum, have a larger diameter than street pegs, and have grippy surfaces for the feet. (In rare cases, this surface is made of sandpaper or rubber)
*Coaster Brake
Freewheel vs coaster brake was a debatable topic in the BMX freestyle flatland arena. Each had its own advantages and disadvantages. Freewheel allowed the rider to set his pedals in a desired location by immediately back pedaling. In addition the the freewheel hub is much lighter than a coaster brake hub. The biggest advantage of a coaster brake was that pedals would stay in their set position as the bike rolled in a backwards motion; no backpedal.


* [[Bunny hop (cycling)|Bunny hop]]: A bunny hop is achieved when a rider jumps the bike into the air from flat ground (this can also be done close to the lip of ramp to gain more height) so that neither wheels are touching the ground.
ACS developed a revolutionary device called the Freecoaster. The Freecoaster was a coaster brake with the unique ability to be set in freewheel mode. Two screw mechanisms on the hub adjusted the brake pads. When in freewheel mode the Freecoaster had no backpedal. Still, it was no lighter than a coaster brake, and was mechanical complex compared to the freewheel hub.
* Dork manual: When rider puts one foot on the peg, and the other foot in the air, controlling balance, and ride down the street in a manual with the foot on the peg.
* Endo: Basic flatland trick where the rider uses the front brake or a curb to lift the back wheel and balance on the front tire.
* Fakie: When the rider is riding backwards and pedaling in an anti-clockwise direction with the sprocket movement or coasting as you are moving backwards then at the right point turning your bars the opposite direction you want to turn and sliding out so you are riding forward again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pedallers.com/difference-between-a-freecoaster-and-a-cassette-on-a-bmx/|title=The Difference Between a Freecoaster and a Cassette|date=17 October 2019|access-date=17 March 2020|work=Pedallers}}</ref>
* Footjam: The rider jams their foot between the forks and tire, stopping the bike, and he balances with the back tire airborne.
* Footjam tailwhip: The rider jams their foot in the fork to start a foot jam endo then kicks the tail of the bike around. When the tail of the bike goes 360 degrees the rider puts their foot back on the pedals. An alternate trick is to jump the frame as it comes around repeatedly until the rider elects to put their foot back on the pedals.
* Fork manual: When a rider puts one foot on the front peg and spins the handlebars around, to lift the bike up into a fakie manual, with both feet on pegs.
* Front or Back Pogos: Basic flatland trick where the rider stands on the wheel pegs (front or back), locks the wheel's brake, and hops with the other wheel in the air.
* Grip ride: The rider jumps their feet from the pedals to the top of the handle bars then releases their hands to stand up while steering with their feet.
* Hang-5: The rider performs a nose manual whilst having one foot on the front axle peg and the other foot dangling, usually used to keep balance and steady.
* Indian giver: This is where the rider naturally or purposely fakies/rollouts in the opposite direction than the way of that they spun in. This is usually easily fixed by learning how to fakie/rollout the correct way, thus making the execution and finishing look cleaner.
* Manual: A step-up from the wheelie, the manual is essentially the same only the rider does not pedal; this makes the trick more difficult to perform as point of balance between the front and back of the bike has to be reached. Professional riders can often do this until their bike runs out of [[momentum]].
* Miami Hop: Endo to Pogo on front wheel turned sideways rather than on rear wheel upright, best executed with Z-Rims or mags.
* Nose manual: The same concept as a manual, only performed with the back wheel in the air and the front wheel on the ground.
* Pogo: The most popular advanced basic trick. Created in the 80's, it is executed by swinging the bike to a vertical position on its rear wheel while the rider sits and hops on it to maintain balance.
* Steamroller: An Advanced trick. The rider stands on one front peg, and sends the bike to front with their other foot, then balances on one wheel while holding the body of bike with one hand and moving at front.
* Time machine: An extremely hard trick. Rider stands on one back peg, then starts to make a manual, after balances it, changes hands on bar while manualing and grabs the front peg with their free hand. After that, rider starts to turn at extremely high speed as if they are drawing an "O" on the ground.
* [[Wheelie]] or Catwalk: The most basic of flatland tricks, the wheelie is when the rider rides the bike on only the back wheel whilst pedaling.


==Olympic medalists in freestyle BMX==
Odessey came out with a semi true freewheel hub with no backpedal. Despite heavy marketing campaigns and endorsements from then top pro R.L. Osborne Odyssey's device never caught on. Its failure was mostly because it did not come with many pre-built wheels or new bikes.


===Park===
In the beginning coaster brakes were commonplace. As the sport grew freewheel become much more popular. Chris Day, a jam circle phenom, was trademark coaster brake rider.


;Men
==Tricks==
=== Grinds ===
Grinds are where a riders bike will slide along a surface (such as a rail, ledge or lip of a ramp) on a part of the bike other than the wheels. Usually 'stunt pegs' are used, these are short tubes that are attached inline with axle and prudent out from the main frame so that they can slide along the surface they which grind. Some grinds also involve the cranks and pedals.


{| {{MedalistTable| type=Event |width=225|labelwidth=200}}
* Double peg: The most basic grind to do on a rail (can still be done on a ledge). The rider must bunny-hop on and land both pegs on the rail or ledge (wheels must be off the ground for all grinds).
|-
* Feeble grind: The most basic grind to do on a ledge. The rider must bunny hop and land the rear peg and the front wheel on the ledge. This is easy to do on a ledge because ledges are generally much lower and wider than rails.
|2020<br/>{{DetailsLink|Cycling at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's BMX freestyle}}
* Smith grind: The step up from a feeble. The rider must bunny-hop and land the front peg and rear wheel on the ledge or rail.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Logan Martin (BMX rider)|Logan Martin]]|AUS|2020 Summer}}
* Luc-e grind: An advanced grind. The rider must bunny-hop, turn the handlebars 45 degrees, and land the back peg and the pedal on the ledge and lean back, keeping the front wheel off the ground but not grinding the front peg on the top of the ledge either.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Daniel Dhers]]|VEN|2020 Summer}}
* Rollercoaster grind: Another advanced grind. The rider must find two rails or ledges close enough together so they can bunny hop and grind with at least one peg on each rail.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Declan Brooks]]|GBR|2020 Summer}}
* Icepick grind: A rear peg grind were the rider is riding on the back peg only with the front wheel above the rail or ledge they are grinding on.
|-
* Crooked grind: When alternate pegs are on either side of the rail, the rider must run four pegs to perform this grind.
|2024<br/>{{DetailsLink|Cycling at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's BMX freestyle}}
* Predator grind: When the rider does a double peg grind on a rail then hops over to his alternate pegs.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[José Torres (cyclist)|José Torres]]|ARG|2024 Summer}}
* Tooth pick grind: The rider slides on the front peg only with the rear wheel in mid air.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Kieran Reilly]]|GBR|2024 Summer}}
* Toothy hangover : Essentially a toothpick grind where the rider hangs the rear end of their bike over the opposite side of the rail or ledge they are grinding.
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Anthony Jeanjean]]|FRA|2024 Summer}}
|}


;Women
=== Air tricks ===
{| {{MedalistTable| type=Event |width=225|labelwidth=200}}
These tricks take place almost exclusively in the air, often in the vein of freestyle motocross. Freestyle dirt BMX involves many air tricks.
|-
|2020<br/>{{DetailsLink|Cycling at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's BMX freestyle}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Charlotte Worthington]]|GBR|2020 Summer}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Hannah Roberts (BMX cyclist)|Hannah Roberts]]|USA|2020 Summer}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Nikita Ducarroz]]|SUI|2020 Summer}}
|-
|2024<br/>{{DetailsLink|Cycling at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's BMX freestyle}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Deng Yawen]]|CHN|2024 Summer}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Perris Benegas]]|USA|2024 Summer}}
| {{flagIOCmedalist|[[Natalya Diehm]]|AUS|2024 Summer}}
|}


==See also==
*Tabletop: While in the air the rider will bring the bike up to one side of him/her by turning the handlebars and using body movement making the bike look like it is flat like the top of a table.
*[[BMX]]
*Barspin: Spinning the handle bars 360° while in the air.
*[[BMX bike]]
*Tailwhip: The rider throws the bike out to one side of them while still holding onto the handle bars so the main frame goes 360° around the steer tube, the rider then catches the frame again and stands back on the pedals.
*[[Mountain bike trials#Street trials|Street trials]]
*Backflip: Both rider and bike do a backward flip while in the air, usually from one ramp to another.
*[[Cycling]]
*Frontflip: Both rider and bike do a forward flip while in the air, again, usually from one ramp to another.
*[[Glossary of cycling]]
*180°: The rider and bike spin 180° in the air and land backwards, in what is called [[fakie]] (riding backwards).
*360°: The rider and bike spin 360°.
Variations and combinations of these tricks also exist, for example a 360° tailwhip would be where the rider spins 360° in one direction and the bike spins 360° around the steer tube in the other direction, both bike and rider will then meet again, with the rider catching the pedals, facing the same direction as before the trick.


==References==
=== Flatland tricks ===
{{Reflist|30em}}
Flatland tricks are not just used within flatland BMX, but also in street BMX. Flatland tricks usually involve much balance, more often than not with only one wheel in contact with the ground.
* Wheelie: The most basic of flatland tricks, the wheelie is when the rider rides the bike on only the back wheel whilst pedaling.
* Manual: A step-up from the wheelie, the manual is essentially the same only the rider does not pedal; this makes the trick more difficult to perform as point of balance between the front and back of the bike has to be reached. Professional riders can often do this until their bike runs out of [[momentum]].
* Nose manual: The same concept as a manual, only performed with the back wheel in the air and the front wheel on the ground, often this is achieved while standing with one foot on a stunt peg mounted to one side of the front wheel, while the other foot is used to help keep balance.
* [[Bunny hop (cycling)|Bunny hop]]: A bunny hop is achieved when a rider jumps the bike into the air from flat ground (this can also be done close to the lip of ramp to gain more height) so that neither wheels are touching the ground. there is bob 2 lol


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Freestyle BMX}}
* [http://www.shredbook.com/browse.php?cat=Bike&showBNav=true BMX tricks and lingo]
* [http://vintagebmx.com/community/=true Vintage BMX]
* [http://bmx.transworld.net/=true Ride BMX Magazine]


{{Extreme sports}}
A rather complete history of freestyle bmx can be read here (some parts are written in French):
{{Authority control}}
* [http://www.23mag.com/hist/histoire.htm=true 23mag History of Freestyle posts/blog]


[[Category:BMX]]
[[Category:BMX]]
[[Category:Cycle types]]
[[Category:Cycle sport]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic disciplines]]

[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[cs:Freestyle BMX]]
[[nl:Freestyle BMX]]

Latest revision as of 14:49, 3 December 2024

Freestyle BMX
Highest governing bodyUCI
Characteristics
TypeCycle sport
EquipmentBMX bike
Presence
Country or regionWorldwide
Olympicsince 2020

Freestyle BMX is bicycle motocross stunt riding on BMX bikes. It is an extreme sport descended from BMX racing that consists of five disciplines: street, park, vert, trails, and flatland. In June 2017, the International Olympic Committee announced that freestyle park was to be added as an Olympic event to the 2020 Summer Olympics.[1]

Early years

[edit]

The earliest photographic documentation of BMX freestyle shows[2] Devin and Todd Bank in 1974 riding BMX bikes on an eight foot tall skateboard ramp they built at their childhood home in West Los Angeles, California. This was the birth of BMX ramp riding. Devin Bank was also documented doing[3] 360 degree freestyle spinning tricks on the street and also in the air by jumping off curbs. Skateboarder Magazine then published photos of kids on bikes riding in empty household swimming pools in 1975. In 1975 kids started riding bikes in concrete reservoir channels in Escondido San Diego, California. In 1976 Devin and Todd Bank [4] began riding BMX bikes inside the Runway Skatepark in Carson California. And, bike riders were also seen in 1976 riding at Carlsbad Skatepark in Carlsbad, California. Bob Haro and John Swanguen rode BMX bikes at Skateboard Heaven, a concrete skatepark in San Diego, California, late 1976. Later they transformed freestyle beyond skateparks by creating new bike tricks on flat streets. In the fall of 1977 Bob Haro was hired as a staff artist at BMX Action Magazine where he be friended R.L. Osborn, son of the magazine publisher Bob Osborn. Haro and R.L. often practiced freestyle moves in their free time.

Freestyle BMX video

In the summer of 1978, Paramount, Lakewood, and other Southern California skateparks began reserving sessions or whole days exclusively for BMX bikes. BMX racer Tinker Juarez was innovating freestyle moves in vert bowls at Lakewood Ca Park, while William "Crazy Lacy" Furmage was innovating freestyle at the Paramount Ca Skatepark.[5]

BMX Action Magazine published the first freestyle how to article in their January/February 1979 issue which showed Bob Haro doing a "rock walk."[6]

BMX bike riders also performed a demonstration freestyle show in 1979 during a skate competition at Rocky Mountain Surf Skatepark in Salt Lake City, Utah.[7]

Towards the end of 1979, William "Crazy Lacy" Furmage and Tony Ray Davis formed the Super Style II BMX Trick Team and later began performing freestyle shows at BMX races and other events.[8] After the Super Style II BMX Trick Team became known, other organized trick teams were founded and quickly gained prominence. The freestyle movement at this point was all underground. Although several BMX manufacture-sponsored freestyle teams were touring the US, they were promoting the sport of BMX in general, not specifically freestyle.

The American Freestyle Association (AFA) was the first governing body for BMX freestyle, founded by Bob Morales in 1982.[9]

Bob Osborn founded a slick quarterly magazine devoted solely to freestyle BMX. In the summer of 1984, Freestylin' Magazine made its debut. The BMX world suddenly noticed the sport's massive potential. Manufacturers hurried to the drawing boards to develop new freestyle bikes, components, and accessories, and began searching for talented riders to sponsor. Bike shops began stocking freestyle products. The AFA began to put on organized flatland and quarter-pipe competitions.

Peak and decline in popularity

[edit]

From 1980 until 1987, freestyle BMX increased in popularity to a peak in 1987. During this period, the sport progressed with the release of new bike models, components, and accessories designed strictly for freestyle. For example, Haro released the Haro FST, Sport, and Master each year, with blazing graphical colors, new look, and new frame designs.

In the early 1990s, BMX freestyle suffered a decline in its commercial popularity; subsequently a number of large companies reduced or terminated their investment in the sport. In this economic climate, communities of new rider-owned companies and initiatives began to re-define the sport according to their own needs and interests, paving the way for what is now[when?] a largely new lead in the industry with clothing companies and material companies. This decline and subsequent new phase of the sport's development into an independently driven industry was notably referenced in the introduction to the BMX video Ride On (directed by Eddie Roman).

Practice disciplines

[edit]

Freestyle BMX riders participate in several well-established disciplines. As in the other forms of freestyle riding, there are no specific rules; style/aesthetics, skills, and creativity are emphasised.

Street

[edit]

Street riders make use of urban and public spaces to perform tricks. These tricks can be performed on curbs, handrails, stairs, ledges, banks, and other obstacles. Styles among street riders vary, as riders often depend upon their urban surroundings. BMX street rose to prominence as an increasingly defined discipline in the late 1980s.

In modern BMX, the progression of more technical tricks on street obstacles has led to this discipline becoming more divided from other freestyle disciplines. BMX bikes aimed at street riding typically have steeper angles and shorter wheelbases, making them easier to maneuver, but less stable at the higher speeds associated with ramp and dirt riding.

Within street BMX there are a handful of competitions, however, the majority of professional street riders tend to focus on making videos for DVDs and YouTube videos on behalf of their sponsors. Only a handful of riders tend to focus on both, with competition courses and corporate sponsorships not considered 'core' street riding by many riders. One rider who has succeeded in both competitions and video projects is Garret Reynolds. Garret has won 13 X Games medals, as well as Ride BMX Nora Cup Awards for Video Part of The Year and Street Rider of the Year, and is largely considered one of the best BMX Street riders ever.

Park

[edit]

Park denotes the BMX discipline of exclusively riding skateparks, often with an emphasis on riding bowl transitions or jump boxes.

Skateparks are used by BMX riders as well as skateboarders, inline skaters and freestyle scooter-riders. Skateparks themselves can be made of wood, concrete or metal. Styles of riding will depend on the style of the parks. Wood is more suited to a flowing style, with riders searching for gaps and aiming to get the highest airs from the coping. Concrete parks usually tend to contain bowls and pools. However, it is not unusual for riders to merge the two styles in either type of park.

Concrete parks are commonly built outdoors due to their ability to withstand years of exposure to the elements of conditions. Concrete parks are also often publicly funded due to their permanent and low-cost nature in comparison to wood parks. Parks made from wood are popular with commercial skateparks, but harder to maintain, as the wood can start to decompose over time, or the features can be damaged through extensive use. Wooden parks are often considered safer than concrete, as during an impact, the wooden surface deflects by a small amount, in contrast to concrete, which is inelastic. Parks designed with BMX use in mind will typically have steel coping along the side that is less prone to damage than concrete or pool coping.

There are a number of competitions that focus on the BMX park discipline, with X Games typically focusing on progressive tricks and large jumps, and other competitions such as the Vans BMX Pro Cup focusing more on flowing and stylish riding on bowl style courses.

In June 2017, the Olympic Committee announced that BMX freestyle park would be featured at the Summer 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Vert Ramp

[edit]
Vert ramp

Vert is a freestyle BMX discipline performed in a half pipe consisting of two quarter pipes set facing each other (much like a mini ramp), but at around 10–15 feet tall (around 2.5 to 3.5 meters high). The biggest ramp ever used in competition is the X-Games big air ramp at 27 feet (8.2 m) tall. Both ‘faces’ of the ramp have an extension to the transition that is vertical, hence the name. Coping is a round metal tube at the lip of the vert that helps freestyle BMXers do grinds, and stalls on the lip of the vert.

Riders go up each jump, performing air tricks before landing into the transition having turned 180 degrees. A typical run involves going from one side to the other, airing above the coping each side. Also possible are 'lip tricks' - tricks on the platform at the top of the ramps before dropping into the ramp. Many tricks consist of the rider grabbing a part of the bike or removing body parts off the bike.

Trails

[edit]
Freshly faced dirt jumps at a set of BMX trails in Indiana.

Trails are paths that lead to jumps made of heavily compacted dirt. Jumps in the same path, or "line", are sometimes referred to as packs, such as a four pack, a six pack, or an eight pack, which would have two, three, and four jumps respectively. A dirt jump consists of a steep take off, called a lip, with an often slightly less steep landing. The lip and landing are usually built as separate mounds, divided by a gap. The gap is measured from the topmost part of the lip, horizontally to the topmost part of the far side of the landing. Gaps typically range from only a couple of feet to over twenty feet. A moderate gap is around twelve feet.

Trails riding is sometimes also referred to as "dirt jumping". Most trails riders maintain that a subtle difference exists in the style and flow of "dirt jumps" and "trails"; trails riders focus more on a flowing smooth style from one jump to the next while performing other stylish tricks, while dirt jumpers try to perform the craziest tricks they can over larger, less flow-oriented jumps.

Trails riders usually run a rear brake only as they have no use for a front brake, and usually a rotor (gyro) to make it easier to do barspins, so they do not have to spin the bars back the other way to untangle them, which is hard to do on trails. In general, trail/dirt jumping bikes have longer wheelbases (chainstays) than other BMX bikes to aid with stability in mid-air.

Flatland

[edit]
Main article: Flatland BMX
BMX Flatland rider Caleb Rider at Santa Monica beach.

Flatland BMX occupies a position somewhat removed from the rest of freestyle BMX. People who ride in the above disciplines will generally take part in at least one of the others, but flatlanders tend to only ride flatland. They are often very dedicated and will spend several hours a day perfecting their technique.

Flatland also differs from the others in that the terrain used is nothing but a smooth, flat surface (e.g. an asphalt parking lot, basketball courts, etc.). Tricks are performed by spinning and balancing in a variety of body and bicycle positions. Riders almost always use knurled aluminum pegs to stand on to manipulate the bike into even stranger positions.

Flatland bikes typically have a shorter wheelbase than other freestyle bikes. Flatland bikes differ from dirt jumping bikes and freestyle bikes in one way. The frames are often more heavily reinforced because the people riding flatland often stand on the frames. This shorter wheelbase requires less effort to make the bike spin or to position the bike on one wheel. One of the primary reasons flat landers often ride only on flatland is the decreased stability of a shorter bike on ramps, dirt courses and streets.

A variety of options are commonly found on flatland bikes, because it is in an open space. The most unifying feature of flatland bikes is the use of four pegs, one on the end of each wheel axle. Flatland riders will choose to run either a front brake, a rear brake, both brakes, or no brakes at all, depending on stylistic preference.

Tricks

[edit]

Air tricks

[edit]

These tricks take place in the air. Freestyle dirt BMX involves many air tricks.

  • 180° jump: The rider and bike spin 180° in the air and land backwards, in what is called fakie (riding backwards).
  • 360 windshield wiper: the rider does a 360 downside tailwhip (Decade) then an opposite tailwhip in one air.
  • 360° jump: The rider and bike spin 360°.
  • 360° nose tap: rider does a 360 then inverts into a nose tap on a bench, box, ramp, etc.
  • 540 cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 540 degree rotation, with no need to finish to fakie/rollout.
  • 540 tailwhip: The rider does a 540 in the air then a tailwhip.
  • 540° aerial: The rider picks up the bike and spins it 540 degrees.
  • 720: two 360's in one jump.
  • 720° jump: Rider and bike spin 720°.
  • 900° aerial: Rider and bike spin 900°.
  • 1260° aerial: Rider and bike spin 1260°.
  • 1440° jump: Rider and bike spin 1440°.
  • Backflip: Both rider and bike do a backward flip while in midair.
  • Barhop: The rider kicks both legs over the handlebar crossbar.
  • Barspin: Spinning the handle bars one full rotation around and catching them.
  • Bikeflip: The rider flips their bicycle without moving their body in mid air.
  • Bus Driver: A unique variation of the barspin, spinning the handle bars one full rotation around while keeping 1 hand on the bars to spin them like a bus steering wheel and catching them.
  • Can can: The rider brings a foot over the bike's top tube to the other side.
  • Candy bar: The rider takes 1 foot off the pedal and puts it over the bar making the shape of a candy cane with their legs.
  • Candybar: The rider kicks one leg over the handlebar crossbar.
  • Carcrash/Helicopter: barspin and a crankflip [10]
  • Cash roll: Invented by Daniel Dhers, similar to a 360 backflip but instead of rotating while upside-down the rider does a 180-backflip-180.
  • Crankflip: The rider bunny hops and kicks the pedals backwards so the crank arms spin one full crank around and then the feet catch back onto the pedals to stop the cranks.
  • Decade: Similar to the flatland decade, the riders throw themselves around the bike while still holding on the handlebars before coming back round to meet the bike and land on the pedals.
  • Disaster: A rider jumps and purposely lands the back tire and sprocket on a ledge or ramp, usually done on a quarter pipe from a 180.
  • Dive Bomber: A variation of the Superman created by James Hirst where the rider becomes inverted and taps their nose on the front tire.
  • Double Peg Stall: the rider jumps and lands the pegs on a ledge without grinding and balances in a still position.
  • ET: The rider is in mid air and pedals one full crank as though they are riding normally.
  • Fast plant: A rider jumps or rides off a ramp and plants their foot down quickly. This is usually done on a gap or ramp and tied with a 180 coming out of a ramp.
  • Flair: Both rider and bike do a backflip combined with a 180, to land facing back down the ramp. Usually performed on a quarter pipe.
  • Frontflip: Both rider and bike do a forward flip while in midair.
  • Full cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 360 degree rotation, making the bike return in the same position, and having to finish the fakie/rollout.
  • Gap: Jumping over a gap.
  • Half cab: The rider fakies/rollouts and makes a 180 degree rotation, completing the fakie, rollout.
  • Invert: Bringing the bike up to one side without turning the bars.
  • Jeep Driver: A unique variation of the barspin, grabbing the crossbar and spinning the handle bars one full rotation around and catching them.
  • Lookback: Similar to the turn down, the rider turns the handlebar and his body to one side, while the frame wraps itself to the rider's legs, turning to the other side. On vert ramps, it's done in aerials, and the rider seems to be 'looking back', hence the name.
  • Nac nac: The rider bring one foot over the back tire to the other side while whipping out the back end of the bike.
  • Ninja Drop/caveman: A standing rider holds the bars and seat of the bike over a ramp or drop, then jumps into the air and on the bike, landing in a riding position.
  • No-footed can: The rider does a can can but takes the other foot off the pedal as well, so that both legs are on one side of the bike.
  • No-footed nac: The rider does a nac nac but takes the other foot off the pedal as well, so that both legs are on one side of the bike.
  • No Hander: The rider tucks in the handlebars and takes both hands off.
  • Nothing: The rider lets go of the handlebars and pedal at the same time in mid air.[11]
  • One-handed X-up: The rider takes off 1 hand and turns the bars at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.
  • Pedal grab: The rider grabs a pedal.
  • Peg grab: The rider grabs a peg, usually on the front of their bike. Also known as a lucky dip.
  • Running Man: A rider jumps towards a wall, taking both feet off the bike, runs on the wall, then jumps back on the bike.
  • Sprocket stall: A rider jumps and lands on the sprocket, usually done with a guarded sprocket to reduce wear on the bike.
  • Suicide Barspin: A variation of the Suicide no-hander where the rider spins the bars in a 360 degree rotation while stretching out their hands.
  • Suicide no-hander: The rider lets go of only the handle bars similar to a tuck no-hander, but rather stretches their arms out to the sides without tucking the bike while pinching the seat with knees.
  • Superman: The rider removes both feet and extends them outwards to resemble Superman in flight.
  • Superman seat grab: A variation of the superman where the rider takes one hand off the handle bars and grabs the seat while extending their body before grabbing back on to the bars and landing
  • Tabletop: While in the air the rider will bring the bike up to one side of them by turning the handlebars and using body movement making the bike look like it is flat like the top of a table. Commonly confused with the "invert" trick which does not include much turning of the bars, but still executes the move in a tabletop manner.
  • Tailwhip: The rider throws the bike out to one side while still holding onto the handle bars so that the frame goes 360° around the steering tube; the rider then catches the frame again and stands back on the pedals. Variations include the double whip, triple whip, etc.
  • TE/Chainsaw: The rider is in mid air and pedals backwards one full crank quickly. Basically an ET, but in reverse.
  • Tire grab: The rider grabs the front tire.
  • Toboggan (often abbreviated as T-bog): The rider takes one hand off the bars and turns the bars and grabs their seat, then returns their hand to the bars before landing.
  • Transfer: A transfer is when you go up one ramp then go onto another ramp.
  • Truckdriver: The rider spins the bike 360 degrees whilst doing a barspin in the opposite direction while in mid air.
  • Turn down: On a vert ramp, the rider turns the handlebars downwards and into their legs, wrapping them around the frame, while the frame itself still points up.
  • Wall ride: A rider jumps and rides on a wall, then rides or jumps off.
  • X-up: The rider turns the bars at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.
  • X-down: The rider turns the bars in the opposite direction to an X-up at least 180 degrees, so the arms are crossed and then turns them back.

Variations and combinations of these tricks also exist, for example a 360° tailwhip would be where the rider spins 360° in one direction and the frame of the bike spins 360° around the steer tube, both bike and rider will then meet again, with the rider catching the pedals, facing the same direction as before the trick.

Flatland tricks

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BMX flatland tricks usually involve much balance, more often than not with only one wheel in contact with the ground.

  • Bunny hop: A bunny hop is achieved when a rider jumps the bike into the air from flat ground (this can also be done close to the lip of ramp to gain more height) so that neither wheels are touching the ground.
  • Dork manual: When rider puts one foot on the peg, and the other foot in the air, controlling balance, and ride down the street in a manual with the foot on the peg.
  • Endo: Basic flatland trick where the rider uses the front brake or a curb to lift the back wheel and balance on the front tire.
  • Fakie: When the rider is riding backwards and pedaling in an anti-clockwise direction with the sprocket movement or coasting as you are moving backwards then at the right point turning your bars the opposite direction you want to turn and sliding out so you are riding forward again.[12]
  • Footjam: The rider jams their foot between the forks and tire, stopping the bike, and he balances with the back tire airborne.
  • Footjam tailwhip: The rider jams their foot in the fork to start a foot jam endo then kicks the tail of the bike around. When the tail of the bike goes 360 degrees the rider puts their foot back on the pedals. An alternate trick is to jump the frame as it comes around repeatedly until the rider elects to put their foot back on the pedals.
  • Fork manual: When a rider puts one foot on the front peg and spins the handlebars around, to lift the bike up into a fakie manual, with both feet on pegs.
  • Front or Back Pogos: Basic flatland trick where the rider stands on the wheel pegs (front or back), locks the wheel's brake, and hops with the other wheel in the air.
  • Grip ride: The rider jumps their feet from the pedals to the top of the handle bars then releases their hands to stand up while steering with their feet.
  • Hang-5: The rider performs a nose manual whilst having one foot on the front axle peg and the other foot dangling, usually used to keep balance and steady.
  • Indian giver: This is where the rider naturally or purposely fakies/rollouts in the opposite direction than the way of that they spun in. This is usually easily fixed by learning how to fakie/rollout the correct way, thus making the execution and finishing look cleaner.
  • Manual: A step-up from the wheelie, the manual is essentially the same only the rider does not pedal; this makes the trick more difficult to perform as point of balance between the front and back of the bike has to be reached. Professional riders can often do this until their bike runs out of momentum.
  • Miami Hop: Endo to Pogo on front wheel turned sideways rather than on rear wheel upright, best executed with Z-Rims or mags.
  • Nose manual: The same concept as a manual, only performed with the back wheel in the air and the front wheel on the ground.
  • Pogo: The most popular advanced basic trick. Created in the 80's, it is executed by swinging the bike to a vertical position on its rear wheel while the rider sits and hops on it to maintain balance.
  • Steamroller: An Advanced trick. The rider stands on one front peg, and sends the bike to front with their other foot, then balances on one wheel while holding the body of bike with one hand and moving at front.
  • Time machine: An extremely hard trick. Rider stands on one back peg, then starts to make a manual, after balances it, changes hands on bar while manualing and grabs the front peg with their free hand. After that, rider starts to turn at extremely high speed as if they are drawing an "O" on the ground.
  • Wheelie or Catwalk: The most basic of flatland tricks, the wheelie is when the rider rides the bike on only the back wheel whilst pedaling.

Olympic medalists in freestyle BMX

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Park

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Men
Event Gold Silver Bronze
2020
details 		Logan Martin
 Australia 		Daniel Dhers
 Venezuela 		Declan Brooks
 Great Britain
2024
details 		José Torres
 Argentina 		Kieran Reilly
 Great Britain 		Anthony Jeanjean
 France
Women
Event Gold Silver Bronze
2020
details 		Charlotte Worthington
 Great Britain 		Hannah Roberts
 United States 		Nikita Ducarroz
 Switzerland
2024
details 		Deng Yawen
 China 		Perris Benegas
 United States 		Natalya Diehm
 Australia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BMX Freestyle returns for its second Olympic Games at Paris 2024 after making its competitive debut at Tokyo 2020".
  2. ^ "Article, "In the Beginning"". www.fatbmx.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  3. ^ "bmx freestyle history". bmx freestyle history. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  4. ^ "In The Beginning - An Old-School Story | Ride BMX". Ride BMX. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  5. ^ Skateboarder Magazine, February 1980
  6. ^ BMX Action Magazine, January/February 1979, pg.34
  7. ^ Skateboarder Magazine, February 1989
  8. ^ Toshach, Don (1987). Freestyling. New York, NY: Perigee Books. p. 11. ISBN 9780399513336.
  9. ^ "Olympedia – Cycling BMX Freestyle". www.olympedia.org. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  10. ^ "Men's Journal".
  11. ^ AlliSports (25 May 2012). "How To Nothing, Peta Shepherd, Alli Sports BMX Step By Step Trick Tips". Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "The Difference Between a Freecoaster and a Cassette". Pedallers. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
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