It's been asked about a few times in here recently. Conventional wisdom would imply distance on a 20" BMX is not possible.
I've always done long-ish distance rides on 20". It is possible, and it is comfortable.
My commute to work is the only time I get to ride BMX lately, but I do it every day.
It's an 8 mile route on my favourite route, so 16 miles in a day. Today I took a different route which is 7 miles. It takes me around 25-30 minutes.
So I average between 14 and 16 miles of very steep hilly landscape with mixed surfaces (canal paths, grass, pedestrian, roads and city streets) 5 days a week.
No back problems. No shoulder problems.
Yes, I've recently had sore wrists but I'm old, and I suspect this may be early doors arthritis. It's passed now and my wrists feel fine. Two of my work colleagues nearly half my age ride geared, big wheel sit-down road bikes to work and they've also had really sore wrists lately, so shrugs
I had a bad knee a couple of months ago but I was riding my 24", seatpost up, sit down comfort and it really stressed my knee. Problem disappeared once I got back on my 20"ers.
So yes, you can do distance. Yes you do have to stand up the whole way. But it's easy in my opinion.
Fot ref I'm 5'11", not heavy, not ripped, mid fifties age.
Sad day though… Because of commuting and hills I need brakes. Fitted fresh brakes to my new build last night which means I'm officially no longer brakeless.
All of my bikes have brakes now :….(
by Awkward_Importance49
3 Comments
I think ultimately there’s other factors to consider as well, i.e weather and bmx bikes aren’t designed for distance and wear & tear on parts. However yes it’s a bike and assuming you’ve not got massive hills to climb it’ll go as far as you can ride it. Until recently my daily commute was 14 miles, 7 there and back from my shop, I’ve done it on occasion on the bmx, and I’ll be honest it’s not enjoyable, I’d not want to use it in the wet anyway and some sections are a bit rough. Whereas my gravel bike (a Fairdale so it’s got a bmx connection) does the distance far more easily and in comfort and in fact it’s quicker than using the car when I factor in parking up and walking to my destination. End of the day ride what you want how you want, but my personal view is bmx bikes aren’t ideal for commuting, but if it does the job for you and you enjoy it, have at it.
Anything is possible if you’re stubborn enough.
My friends and I used to meet up downtown to ride street and would regularly ride 7-10 miles just to ride together then after we were all exhausted, we’d ride home. I never had any wear and tear issues due to the commute (can’t say the same for street riding). This seems like a perfectly reasonable distance on a 20”.