After riding the Kink Gap XL, i realized why it was called the XL version. The taller bars, and toptube gave me more room and I felt more comfortable on it. I'm a taller rider so I usually feel cramped on bmx bikes. The bike handled well at the skate park and on the dirt jumps. But I was a little worried about the high tensile steel backend. It felt like it was going to bend when I was doing 360s. overall I was impressed with how smooth the bike felt even though the tires really weighed me down.
Quality
4.3
Street
1.6
Park
3.9
Dirt
4.4
PROS:
Chromoly Bars
Taller Toptube
Taller Bars (9.25")
CONS:
Single wall rims
Heavy tires in
The Kink Gap XL is a low/mid quality BMX bike that weighs 27.2 pounds and costs $499. This bike is designed specifically for taller riders, offering a few tweaks from the standard Kink Gap to better suit their needs. In this post, we’re diving deep to help you figure out if it’s the right pick for you.
No, the Kink Gap XL is not high quality because it only features a mix of chromoly and high-tensile steel parts, alongside single-wall rims.
Its frame is partially made of chromoly, which is decent, but the back end and other components like fork legs are high-tensile steel, which is less durable and more prone to bending.
This combination makes it less ideal for riders over 160 pounds or anyone looking to seriously progress in BMX freestyle without frequent upgrades or replacements.
How does the Kink Gap XL look?
The Kink Gap XL looks sick. I’m really digging the colorway, which is saying something because I’m usually not a huge fan of Kink’s aesthetics. It’s got that cool, understated vibe that makes it stand out without being too in-your-face.
Is the Kink Gap XL overpriced?
No, the kink gap is not overpriced. Initially the MSRP was $499 which is very overpriced. Kink has changed the prices and now the king gap is only $429. This new price point makes it much more affordable and offers some justification for the weaker components that are included on this bike.
I think that for the $429 price tag you were getting adequate quality. However, you could spend just a little bit more money and buy the kink whip, which is much better quality.
This bike may not be right for you!!
I can find 3 bikes that are perfect for you based on your height and budget. Just fill out this form!
What are the best features of the Kink Gap XL?
The Kink Gap XL shines with a few notable features despite its overall low quality score. It’s fully customizable and upgradable, which is a plus for riders looking to personalize their ride or gradually improve its components.
What makes it stand out? Its aftermarket Kink bold HRD stem, Kink Hemlock pedals, and the fact that it comes with brakes are highlights. Plus, its frame size and color options cater specifically to taller riders, making it a unique offering in the BMX market.
Here’s a simple table highlighting its features:
Feature
Description
Frame Size
21″ top tube, tailored for taller riders
Bar Height
9.25″ over 9″
Color Options
Aurora Black and Desert Sand
Aftermarket Parts
Kink bold HRD stem, Kink Hemlock pedals
Honest thoughts
To be honest, I did not recommend the kink gap when it was priced at $499. For that price I think it was a little bit of a rip off. Now that the prices come down to $429, I will recommend the bike but only if you really can’t afford to spend a little bit more money and get the kink whip. If you compare the kink gap versus the kink whip, you’ll notice that the quality and the overall score of the whip is much higher than the kink gap. And it doesn’t come out very much of a price increase. Most people who are buying the kink gap are doing so from a used supplier. And if you find this bike for under $400 new or used it’s a pretty good deal. The partial chromoly in the materials will allow this bike to last a little bit longer than the full high steel bikes that you typically find for under $400.
If you have or have had the kink gap, I’d love for you to leave a review below this post. I pick one person every month who leaves a review on the website and send them $20. It could be you.
There are no reviews yet.