BMX Chainstay Length Explained: Short vs Long - Find the Perfect Fit for Your Riding Style

Helpful Resources for BMX Nerds ➡️ linktr.ee/dougsterbob
💬 Join the BMX Nerd Network: community.bmxnerds.com/share/...
❓ | Ask your BMX Questions
📸 | Show off your bike
📈 | Learn new tricks
⭐️ | Join a thriving community
Request a BMX Recommendation: bmxnerds.com/bmx-match-maker/
Discover the impact of chainstay length on your BMX riding experience in this comprehensive video guide. Whether you're a tall or short BMX rider, we'll help you understand the key differences between short and long chainstays and how they influence your bike's performance. From snappy responsiveness to stability and control, we'll break down the various factors to consider when upgrading your bike to match your riding style.

[@robalexanderofficial]

Agree agree agree. I’m 5’8, and I’ve gone through soooo many frames trying to find that sweet spot. 12.7 was fun, but very sketchy at times. Especially when tired and fatiguing, after trying to throw a manny in a line for hours and looping out. The 13.2-13.7 spectrum is what I found perfect for me throughout the years.

[@snaswedey]

Cool, am 5ft7 however on a 20,75TT (mainly because i got a crazy deal of $278 for a Subrosa). That one have 13,2 "ish" i changed sprocket to 28T if it affected the chainstay i don't know - Thank you for being my tester =)

[@cbr600rrturbo]

Im use to race/ old school bikes with 14.25 chainstay,when i got the kink whip with 13.25 even though it was 7 lbs heavier it popped right up,chainstay is everything. My WTP Utopia Hybrid has a 12.65 wich is awesome for a short guy

[@logandoubleyou2549]

A simple way to play with the feel for me is take your chain off it just makes this easier, slam your real wheel all the way forward and go Manuel around a parking lot and do some 180s or whatever you like to do, then move your back wheel to the farthest back of the drop out as possible and go do the same thing, Manuel’s and 180s or whatever you want and youl feel a huge difference

[@DuhYaThink]

13”-13.25” for me. BSD Safari 👍🏻

[@paulbernard2397]

Shorter back end makes the front come up easier but also gives you a super short balance point, longer back end is harder to pull initially but easier to find the point to lock into.
The chainstay length is one of the prime areas to address in stability but only in conjunction with bb height.
I have a few bikes- shortest chainstay is wtp, which measures sub 13. It's impossible to go faster than 20mph without feeling sketch af. I race, ride trails, skatepark and street. Modern bikes are too sketch IMO, bit more length and slightly higher bb give them more stability and more pop. Works for me. Also ride a Cult TRF/Walsh

[@lucianonotarfrancesco4443]

I have a short chainstay and as a beginner I love it, easy to get the front wheel up, easy to do mini manuals over manholes and stuff, but I’m having trouble learning proper manuals because the balance point has a very short range. I don’t mind the bike being twitchy, I like it, but also I don’t go fast (I have also 160mm cranks and 25T sprocket, a “slow” bike). Looping out happens, but since I never go too fast I never fell, I fall standing on my feet. I would also advise to try the rear wheel slammed and also all the way back as much as possible, and see how it feels getting the front wheel up on both positions, how much difference does it make

[@R0CMarciano]

What frame do u run and what size?

[@lucianonotarfrancesco4443]

@@R0CMarciano It’s the frame that comes with the WTP Reason complete… I changed some things in my bike but the geometry hasn’t changed. The top tube is 20.75, chainstay 12.75 (slammed I guess) and head tube angle 76 degrees, and the fork offset is just 15mm. I’m 171 cm, 58 kg

[@danielcowen2311]

I see you've mentioned the Chaos Machine for dirt. The frame is larger. When considering dirt does the TT length matter like it does with street and park?

[@aaronwhite5206]

So I was trying out a bike the other day and I noticed my heel rubbing up against the peg is that normal I’m 5’10” it was a 20.75 frame with a 12.75 chain stay if I get the top tube as a 21 and the chain stay 12.75 would my heel still rubb against the peg when riding

[@bmxnerds]

The heel on the peg is caused by a short chainstay + long cranks. Toptube shouldn’t effect it

[@ronburg6914]

what complete comes with a short cs like under 13

[@KinoCartier]

I’m 5’7 would the kink whip be fine for my first bike ?

[@robertday9079]

I have a question: I’m 5.9”, what BMX size do you recommend? Thanks for the help.

[@ahahaa1602]

A good example is those street bikes with longer swing arm so their bikes front wheel doesn’t pull up

[@Michael_Vincent_Acebuche]

I am 5'4" and my frame is 13" chainstay.. and it feels like I'm riding with people with my damned bike

[@DuhYaThink]

Shorter offset forks are cheaper

[@8bitflea]

I use 13.05