Subrosa (suhb roh-zuh) is a Latin word that means “below the rose.” A rose hanging overhead has long been a sign of secrecy and brotherhood. Whatever was said under a rose was to be kept confidential, holy, and Subrosa. Sub Rosa then refers to the secret act of surveillance of an individual in Workers’ Compensation.
Origin Story
The Subrosa Brand was founded in 2006 by Ron Bonner and a professional BMX rider, Ryan Sher as a collaboration. Ronnie’s experience stems from a lifetime of BMX and the development of brands such as UGP and The Shadow Conspiracy, while Sher’s comes from a lifetime of BMX, from racing to working in bike shops to becoming a pro racer.
Anything from Subrosa is designed by riders for riders, from the entry-level bike to the ultimate high-end machine. Team riders decide frame geometries and replacement parts, while Ryan creates colours and graphics in partnership with his associates. As a result, Subrosa manufactures BMX bikes and parts with an excellent price-performance ratio.
Ron and Ryan sat by a pool in California, drinking beers and talking BMX. When they were looking at Sher’s bike, Ronnie said, “What if we made everything on that bike?” That was everything there was to it. As soon as those words were spoken, the ideas flowed, and they spent most of that night discussing the yet-to-be-named “Subrosa.”
The brand’s mission is to build complete bikes and goods that are affordable, dependable, and have an attention to detail that makes each piece high quality and difficult for other brands to replicate. They also use their name to spread the BMX lifestyle and attitude to the rest of the world.
Subrosa has launched new products and whole categories over the years to broaden what BMX can offer the world in an attempt to always give back to our fans, supporters, and potential riders. Subrosa is confident that they will portray BMX in a way that will entice people and raise meaningful, accurate awareness of the sport.
The team has grown over time, but it has never been about the flavour of the month. Subrosa has riders from every discipline and style. The Subrosa team is all about being creative, having a distinct style, and having fun with all of their fans.
Is Subrosa a good brand?
The short answer is yes. This bike brand has an option for almost every kind of rider. Ranging from cheap beginner level bikes all the way up to expensive pro-level bikes. Let’s take a deeper look and analyse what bike is best for each kind of person.
What is a BMX?
BMX, an abbreviation for bicycle motocross or bike motocross, is a cycle sport played on BMX bikes, either competitively or freestyle, or in general on- or off-road recreation.
True BMX bikes began it all in the late 1960s. They were motocross-style motorcycles geared for racing over jumps and around berms in the dirt. Kids everywhere, racers or not, soon had them. While BMX bikes are still built for racing, you don’t have to race to enjoy their lightweight, pace, and dirt-worthiness. In reality, many kids ride their BMX bikes to and from school.
BMX bikes are commonly considered the most robust bike – many owners find them virtually indestructible. Their compact frame makes them suitable for kids, but for adults, especially taller adults more of the riding will be standing up to reach higher speeds.
They also come in a variety of frame sizes. They usually have 20-inch wheels (24-inch-wheel “cruisers” are the exception), knobby tires, upright handlebars with crossbars, small saddles, long cranks and rear hand brakes. The frames are light and sturdy, and the higher the price, the lighter these bikes get.
BMX bikes are usually made of sturdy Chromoly steel or aluminium. Chromoly frames are a little heavier and less expensive. Aluminium frames are thinner and mostly constructed of large or unusually formed tubing. Aluminium, in addition to being lighter, is also rustproof. As a result, if the frame becomes scratched, there’s no need to rush to touch it up.
Should you buy a BMX?
Obviously, we can’t tell you what to do. So, instead, we’ll present you with the advantages and disadvantages and perhaps then you can make an informed decision.
Advantages of BMX Bikes
- BMX bikes are made for having fun and thrashing around. They are compact and easy to transport.
- They’re inexpensive. Quality BMX bikes are around half the price of a quality mountain bike when they first hit the market.
- Single-speed bikes with no gears need less maintenance and repairs.
- Adaptable to urban conditions, including tricks and manoeuvres in skate parks and BMX tracks.
Disadvantages of BMX Bikes
- Not suited to longer commutes or riding to work in a sprawling Metropolis.
- They are not made for ‘in the saddle’ riding, so they are not the most comfortable choice.
- Riding up hills can be challenging with just one speed.
- There is no suspension, but the body absorbs more force than on a mountain bike.
Can you use BMX bikes anywhere?
No, BMX bikes aren’t designed for commuting, but they’ll do the job just fine. At the very least, you should consider riding on your new bike for a while. If you enjoy the trip but not the bike, you might want to consider changing.
Long-distance rides are not recommended for BMX bikes. These bikes are intended to ride quickly over short distances or to perform stunt jumping. If it is possible to convert a BMX bike for long-distance riding, it is not recommended. You’d be better off investing in a good road bike.
Not to mention the legal grey area they lie on. At the very best, a BMX bike is for use on BMX tracks and skate parks only. In many countries, it is illegal to use BMX bikes on public roads without using the two independent braking systems provided (a front and rear brake).
Do Pro BMX riders use brakes?
BMX racing bikes are required to have a rear brake as a safety measure and as a racing requirement.
Some Freestyle BMX riders tend to cut their brakes to perform tricks without the brake cables interfering.
This is clearly reckless and stupidly dangerous, but these are trained professionals.
Is BMX more dangerous than skateboarding?
While both skateboarding and BMX carry some risk, BMX can be much more dangerous than skateboarding when getting air off a dirt jump or diving into a half-pipe.
The explanation for this is that bailing on a bike is more difficult than on a skateboard because a bike has more and larger components that can injure you if you fall.
Subrosa BMX Buying Guide
Subrosa Altus BMX Bike 2021
MSRP: £344.99
First on our list is the versatile and stylish, Subrosa Altus. A BMX that’s ideal for street riding, skateparks and dirt jump trails. It has a solid and dependable Hi-Ten Steel frame with a mix of components from Shadow Conspiracy and Rant, providing great performance at a reasonable price.
The Altus is made to a higher standard than an entry-level bike, but it won’t break the bank. Since it has 20-inch wheels, this bike is intended for smaller riders who are still developing and taking their first steps into the world of BMX biking. The Altus, like all Subrosa complete bikes, is designed to withstand regular BMX abuse and includes quality aftermarket parts for an enjoyable and dependable riding experience.
Tech Specs:
- Frame: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten
- Top Tube: 20.0″
- Chain Stay: 13.2″
- Head Tube: 75°
- Seat Tube: 71°
- Stand Over: 8.0″
- BB Height: 11.6”
- Brake Mounts: Welded
- Fork: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten – 30mm Offset
- Bars: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten – 2pc 7.75″
- Grips: Shadow Ol’ Dirty DCR
- Bar Ends: Shadow Nylon
- Headset: 1-1/8″ Threadless
- Stem: Rant Alloy Top Load
- Front Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Rear Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Front Hub: 3/8″ Loose Alloy
- Rear Hub: 14mm Semi-Sealed Cassette
- Tyres: Rant Squad 20” x 2.35”
- Cranks: Chromoly 8 Spline 3pc 170mm
- Bottom Bracket: American Loose Ball
- Sprocket: Subrosa Petal Steel
- Gearing: 25 – 9T
- Chain: Rant Max 410
- Pedals: Rant Trill Plastic
- Seat: Subrosa Mid 1pc Combo
- Seat Clamp: Rant Alloy
- Brake Lever: Alloy 2 Finger
- Brakes: U-Brakes
- Weight: 12.5 kg = 27.5 lbs
- Colour: Black
- Wheel Size: 20″
Subrosa Tiro 18″ BMX Bike 2021
MSRP: £349.99
The Subrosa Tiro 18″ has a smaller frame and 18″ wheels, as well as a combination of exceptional aftermarket parts from Shadow Conspiracy and Rant. This junior’s freestyle BMX is perfect for younger and smaller riders who aren’t quite ready to make the switch to 20-inch wheels “but who want a good bike to progress on. The Tiro 18 is ideal for skateparks, street spots, and dirt jumps “is the ideal entry point into the world of fulfilling freestyle BMX biking.
Tech Specs:
- Frame: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten
- Top Tube: 18.5″
- Chain Stay: 12.2″
- Head Tube: 75°
- Seat Tube: 71°
- Brake Mounts: Welded
- Fork: Chromoly Steer Tube – 30mm Offset
- Bars: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten – 2pc 7.75″
- Grips: Shadow Maya DCR
- Bar Ends: Shadow Nylon
- Headset: Rant Bang Ur Integrated
- Stem: Rant Jolt Top Load
- Front Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Rear Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Front Hub: 3/8″ Loose Alloy
- Rear Hub: 14mm Sealed Cassette
- Tyres: Rant Squad 18” x 2.30″
- Cranks: Chromoly 8 Spline 3pc 155mm
- Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid
- Sprocket: Subrosa Petal Steel
- Gearing: 25 – 9T
- Chain: Rant Max 410
- Pedals: Rant Trill Plastic
- Seat: Subrosa Mid 1pc Combo
- Seat Clamp: Shadow Alfred
- Brake Lever: Alloy 2 Finger
- Brakes: Rant Spring Brakes V2
- Weight: 11.6 kg
- Colour: Blue
- Wheel Size: 20″
Subrosa Tiro XL BMX Bike 2021
MSRP: £389.99
The Subrosa Tiro XL is built on a strong and agile 1020 Hi-Ten frame with a 21-inch wheelbase “Shadow Conspiracy and Rant provide top tube length and a fantastic aftermarket component spec. This bike is perfect for riding anywhere from the streets to your nearest skatepark or dirt jump trails. It also has Chromoly cranks, a 14mm sealed rear cassette hub, and rides on 2.35-inch wheels “-wide Rant Squad tyres, providing a confident blend of stability, speed, and grip.
Tech Specs:
- Frame: 100% 1020
- Hi-Ten Top Tube: 21″
- Chain Stay: 13.2″
- Head Tube: 75°
- Seat Tube: 71°
- Brake Mounts: Welded
- Fork: Chromoly Steer Tube – 30mm Offset
- Bars: 100% 1020 Hi-Ten – 2pc 9.0″
- Grips: Shadow Maya DCR
- Bar Ends: Shadow Nylon
- Headset: Rant Bang Ur Integrated
- Stem: Rant Trill Top Load
- Front Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Rear Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Front Hub: 3/8″ Loose Alloy
- Rear Hub: 14mm Sealed Cassette
- Tyres: Rant Squad 20” x 2.35″
- Cranks: Chromoly 8 Spline 3pc 170mm
- Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid
- Sprocket: Subrosa Petal Steel
- Gearing: 25 – 9T
- Chain: Rant Max 410
- Pedals: Rant Trill Plastic
- Seat: Subrosa Mid 1pc Combo
- Seat Clamp: Shadow Alfred
- Brake Lever: Alloy 2 Finger
- Brakes: Rant Spring Brakes V2
- Weight: 12.6 kg
- Colour: Black
- Wheel Size: 20″
Subrosa Salvador FC BMX Bike 2021
MSRP: £389.99
The Salvador FC BMX is built around Subrosa’s classic Salvador frame design, which has ultra-stable and sensitive geometry that’s ideal for riding skateparks, street spots, and dirt jumps for competition or fun. Additionally, it has a complete Chromoly (CrMo) frameset, CrMo cranks, and a high-quality Rant wheelset with a Rant Moonwalker II free coaster rear centre. It also comes with a full finishing kit from Shadow Conspiracy and Rant, as well as Subrosa Sawtooth 2.35″ tyres.
Tech Specs:
- Frame: Chromoly Top Tube, Down Tube, & Wishbone
- Top Tube: 21″
- Chain Stay: 13.2″
- Head Tube: 75°
- Seat Tube: 71°
- Stand Over: 9.0″
- Bottom Bracket Height: 11.6″
- Brake Mounts: Welded
- Fork: Chromoly Steer Tube – 30mm Offset
- Bars: 100% Chromoly – 4pc 9.0″
- Grips: Shadow Gipsy DCR
- Bar Ends: Shadow Nylon
- Headset: Rant Bang Ur Integrated
- Stem: Rant Trill Top Load
- Front Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Rear Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Single Wall
- Front Hub: 3/8″ Loose Alloy
- Rear Hub: Rant Moonwalker II Sealed Free coaster
- Tyres: Subrosa Sawtooth 20″ x 2.35″
- Cranks: Rant Banging’ 8 Chromoly 3pc 170mm
- Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid
- Sprocket: Subrosa Petal Steel
- Gearing: 25 – 9T
- Chain: Rant Max 410
- Pedals: Rant Trill Plastic
- Seat: Subrosa Mid 1pc Combo
- Seat Clamp: Shadow Alfred
- Brake Lever: Alloy 2 Finger
- Brakes: Rant Spring Brakes V2
- Weight: 12.54 kg
- Colour: Black
- Wheel Size: 20″
Subrosa Malum BMX Bike 2021
MSRP: £389.99
The Malum is a high-performance freestyle BMX bike. This bike is ideal for riding skate parks, street features, and dirt jumps, and it takes inspiration from Subrosa’s pro models to provide a riding experience that outperforms most other choices on the market. Furthermore, with its revised frame geometry, 100 per cent complete CrMo construction, and high-quality aftermarket parts, this bike is ready for everything.
Thanks to high-quality engineering and listening to what Subrosa fans want, they’ve revised the frame geometry and part specs while maintaining the bike’s 100 per cent Chromoly (CrMo) construction. It’s also a little lighter and has aftermarket pieces from The Shadow Conspiracy and Rant.
Tech Specs:
- Frame: 100% Chromoly (CrMo)
- Top Tube: 21.0″
- Chain Stay: 13.2″
- Head Tube: 75°
- Seat Tube: 71°
- Stand Over: 9.0″
- BB Height: 11.6″
- Brake Mounts: Removable
- Fork: 100% Chromoly – 30mm Offset
- Bars: 100% Chromoly – 2pc 9.0″
- Grips: Shadow VVS DCR
- Bar Ends: Shadow Nylon
- Headset: Rant Bang Ur Integrated
- Stem: Subrosa Rose Top Load
- Front Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Double Wall
- Rear Rim: Rant Squad 36H Alloy Double Wall
- Front Hub: Rant Party on V2 Sealed Female Axle
- Rear Hub: Rant Party on V2 Sealed Cassette Male Axle
- Tyres: Shadow Contender 20 x 2.35″ Low Pressure
- Cranks: Rant Banging’ 8 Chromoly 3pc 170mm
- Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid
- Sprocket: Subrosa Petal Alloy
- Gearing: 25 – 9T
- Chain: Shadow Interlock V2
- Pedals: Shadow Surface Plastic
- Seat: Shadow Crow Pivotal
- Seat Clamp: Shadow Alfred
- Brake Lever: Rant Hinged
- Brakes: Rant Spring Brakes V2
- Weight: 11.97 kg
- Colour: Army Green
- Wheel Size: 20″
Conclusion
There is a Subrosa solution for every kind of rider out there. If you prefer the street or the gravel, whether you’re tall or short, fresh or seasoned, Subrosa has a bike for you. Having said that, their collaboration with the Shadow Conspiracy makes their bikes stand out a little more than any of the other competitors. You can’t go wrong when shopping for a Subrosa bike because having high-quality bikes is vital for your development as a BMX rider.