Flatland (BMX)
Flatland is the name for a sub-discipline of freestyle BMX sport in which acrobatics on the bike takes place on flat ground. Well-paved parking spaces are ideal as sports facilities.
Flatland includes different maneuvers or tricks that can theoretically be combined into endless combinations. The transition between the individual figures takes place within a few seconds or even smoothly. Most BMX flatlanders create their own tricks, combinations and individual style.
development
Flatland is increasingly emerging as a sport in its own right within the BMX family, as it is increasingly distancing itself from the rest of the BMX scene in terms of style and attitude towards life - similar to the way in which the “race” discipline was differentiated from “freestyle” in the 1980s. No Flatlanders were invited to the X Games 2005 in Los Angeles. Because of this development, professional Flatlanders set up their own companies so that they no longer have to rely on sponsors (e.g. the company l'essence, which has been producing BMX frames since the mid-1990s and is owned by Flatlander Alexis Desolneux).
For some years now, more and more drivers have been increasing the demands of this already quite difficult balance sport by driving "brakeless" (without braking). One of the pioneers of this type of driving was Chase Gouin.
Sports equipment
A flatland BMX bike differs from other freestyle BMX bikes in that it has a shorter, often crossed or curved (or both) top and bottom tube, a shorter rear section of the frame, a shorter stem and the four "pegs", the characteristic extensions the wheel axles. In recent years there has been a trend towards weight saving, e.g. B. by the shortest possible forks without a lead (also offers better control), short crank arms, extremely small chainrings (often only 15 teeth) and narrower chains. Handlebars without a "sweep" (the anatomically correct bend of the handlebars in the vertical) are often used, as this should allow better control of the bike. A new variant of the handlebar are so-called "bar / stem combos" (handlebar / stem combinations), in which the handlebars are already welded to the stem.
The “freecoaster”, a special type of rear wheel hub, is essential for rear wheel tricks, which enables the rear wheel to turn backwards without passing the movement on to the crank via the chain.
BMX show productions
Only a few well-known BMX flatland riders establish themselves in show business and positively express the BMX freestyle sport. Drivers like Terry Adams (USA), Chris Böhm (Germany), Viki Comez (Spain) and Matthias Dandois (France) skillfully combine show and everyday contest life.