BADD RACING CUSTOM SHOP

Head tube angle is the angle between the fork and the ground. A slack head angle will make the bike more stable, while a steep one will make the bike quicker to steer. A typical head angle for a bmx race bike is 74°. Depending on the measurement of the headtube and the manufacturer of the fork the headtube angle may change slightly once the bike is assembled.

Let’s start with the simple toptube length of 20.5 which is measured from the center of the headtube, straight along the side of the frame to the center of the seat tube. This can easily be measured yourself, but make sure you’re measuring along the side and not the top as the seat tube and headtube angles can throw off your measurement.

The Seat Tube angle is measured along the center of the seat tube to where it meets parallel with the center of axles. The majority of bmx frames will have a 71° seat tube angle, but this is where things can get a little tricky if the manufacturer changes this angle slightly. As an example, let’s say you have a 20.75” toptube frame with a standard 71° seat tube. Pretty normal, right? However, imagine we were to angle the seat tube back ever so slightly to 69°, BUT we still kept the toptube at a measurable 20.75”. In effect by pushing that seat tube back, you’ve also pushed your bottom bracket forward ever so slightly as well. And since the chainstays are connected to the bottom bracket, that’s also shortening your overall wheelbase.

Confused yet? Okay let’s say we have two nearly identical frames both with a 20.75” toptube. The only difference being one has a 69° seat tube and the other has a more traditional 71° seat tube. If you were to ride both frames back-to-back, you may notice the frame with the 69° seat tube actually feels shorter overall, even though both have a 20.75” toptube. A little confusing for sure, and likely something you won’t encounter much as most companies stick to the standard 71°, but there are some advantages to this. By having a more laid back seat tube angle you’re giving yourself a little extra clearance up top, but the bike will ride like a shorter frame because of its overall shorter wheelbase.

Based on the height of the rider the top tube length will vary. The taller the rider the longer the top tube needs to be. However, most frame manufacturers cap their top tube length at 23”. See attached chart below to determine top tube length. The chart is not an exact science but more of a reference. Some riders like a shorter top tube length to have more control over the bike. While others like a longer top tube to have more room to operate in the front of the bike.

All BADD Racing frames will use a 68mm threaded European bottom bracket. This is the simplest bottom bracket to work with and it ensures the diameter of the bottom bracket will not change based on the amount of wear to the frame.

Chainstay length is the measurement from the center of the bottom bracket shell to the front of the rear dropout. These lengths may vary depending on which style of drop out that you choose.

Our standard Fish drop out is .86mm in length which does not allow for much room to move the rear wheel forward or back. Our vertical drop out provides riders more room to move the rear wheel back and forth as they are closer to an ¾ of an inch in length.

A longer chainstay length will provide a more stable, balanced ride, especially in the air or at speed. A shorter chainstay length will make the bike more maneuverable and easier to push through the jumps when manualing, at the expense of some extra stability.

Final design approval will go through the brand manager and the fabricator before the official drawing is submitted. The brand manager is here to help with any questions you may have about the different design aspects associated with designing a bmx race frame. Design elements will only be implemented from the list of different top tubes, down tubes, head tubes, and drop outs provided in the initial design packet.

6,500 FINISH OPTIONS

A custom BADD Racing frame wouldn’t be truly-custom, without your own personally-selected finish. We have partnered with industry-leader “Prismatic Powders,” to offer over 6,500 options, to dial-in the perfect color for your custom frame.

Your preferred single-color custom finish is included in the price of your order.  Multi-color customizations may be subject to an additional charge.

View the Prismatic Powders Color Selector

DECALS

As part of the “Custom Shop Experience,” we will create decals for your BADD Racing frame that compliment your choice in finishes. The primary and accent colors of the decals can be customized, as well, if you-so-choose.

We will consult with you on your options and choices later in the process, once you have made a finish selection.