The Build
Set up for kerbs and skate park laps
Black alloy V-brakes pull the pads hard against the rim, so a smaller hand does not have to haul at the lever. The steel bar is 680mm wide, broad enough for real leverage over the front wheel, and the Velo grips carry a flange so hands cannot slide off. A front-load stem, unicrown fork and 2.2" tyres leave the Torrid steering with weight to it.
One Gear
What 28T and 14T on 170mm cranks feels like
A 28-tooth chainwheel drives a 14-tooth freewheel: two to one, so one turn of the pedals sends the rear wheel around twice. It is a moderate, forgiving gear. A child rolls away from a standstill without stamping on the pedals, then runs out of gear downhill. The 170mm cranks are the levers between foot and chainwheel, long enough to give a taller rider an unhurried push.
Frame And Geometry
The numbers, for people who do not ride
The frame is TIG-welded hi-tensile steel: a tidy weld on tube that flexes and takes knocks instead of shattering, which is what you want from a bike that lives on driveways. Frame size is quoted as 10", the BMX habit of measuring the top tube. Effective top tube 53.2cm, seat tube 27cm at 74 degrees, head tube 11cm, chainstays 37cm, wheelbase 96.3cm. Short enough behind the rider to lift the front wheel, long enough to stay settled at speed.
Finish
Metallic chrome
Chrome is the finish BMX has worn since the start, and it still looks best in late afternoon light. It also takes a fingerprint from every hand, so keep a soft cloth in the shed. Black brakes and a black alloy seat clamp break the shine up. A bell and steel kickstand are fitted.
Torrid Or Classic
Choosing between the two Progear BMXs
We stock both, and they suit different riders. The Torrid is the more freestyle-oriented of the pair: V-brakes rather than calipers, a 2.2" freestyle tyre, 28T and 14T gearing on 170mm cranks, a wider 680mm bar and an integrated Velo saddle. It fits riders from 140cm, where the Classic starts at 120cm.