Flatland
Browse used flatland BMX bikes for sale from riders across the UK. Flatland completes are built for tricks on smooth ground: top tubes of roughly 18.5in to 19.5in, chainstays near 13in, near-zero fork offset and four platform pegs to stand on. They are a small, specialist part of the BMX market, so listings turn over slowly and complete bikes are rarer than frames.
What makes a flatland BMX different?
Everything is pulled in tight so the bike pivots under a standing rider. The top tube is two inches shorter than a park bike, the head angle is steep at around 75 degrees, the fork offset is close to zero so the front wheel balances rather than tracks, and the bottom bracket is high to keep pedals clear during spins. Cranks are short, typically 160mm to 165mm, and tyres are narrow at 1.75in to 1.95in.
Flatland or park BMX?
A freestyle park bike is long, stable and happy at speed, which is exactly wrong for pivots and scuffs; a flatland bike feels nervous rolling in a straight line and is not built for ramp landings. Riders who want to do both usually keep two bikes rather than compromise on one, which is why used flatland frames often come up as complete bikes being sold whole.
What is a freecoaster and do I want one?
A freecoaster lets the bike roll backwards without the cranks turning, which is what makes backwards riding and rolling tricks possible. It has a clutch and a slack zone rather than pawls, so it feels different to a cassette hub and needs the slack set up correctly. Plenty of flatland riders use a cassette hub instead, so check which is fitted before buying.
What should I check on a used flatland BMX?
Test the freecoaster by rolling the bike backwards and forwards — a worn clutch gives excessive slack or engages unevenly, and it is the most expensive part to put right. Check the gyro plates and cable ends for fraying, look at the peg surfaces and where they meet the frame for wear from standing, and turn the bars slowly to feel the notching that repeated spins press into the headset bearings.
What should a used flatland bike cost?
Because the discipline is small, condition and spec matter more than age: a bike with a working freecoaster, decent brakes and a straight frame from a maker like Ares Bikes or KHE can be worth more than a much newer generic build. Complete flatland bikes are hard to find new in the UK, so buying used is often the only realistic route in, and a rebuild on a good frame is usually cheaper than importing.