The Sunday Blueprint is a low-quality BMX bike that may not necessarily help a BMX rider achieve their dreams. This bike weighs 26 pounds, and costs $389. However, for the right individual – someone new to the sport or on a tight budget, for instance – it could still be a suitable choice. It’s not the highest tier of bikes, but it’s certainly a step up from your average department store options. We will dive deep into the features, geometries, and potential of this bike in the sections that follow.
Over the years, the Sunday Blueprint has attracted mixed reviews. Some users appreciate its affordability and customization potential, while others note its lower quality build. As we discuss the 2023 model, we’ll see whether it meets, falls short of, or surpasses these expectations.
Overview
Sunday Blueprint: Overview
Common Questions
Weight of the Sunday Blueprint
The Sunday Blueprint is a rather lightweight bike in its category, weighing in at a modest 26 pounds. Its light weight makes it an excellent choice for beginners or intermediate riders who value easy maneuverability.
Price and Value for Money
For the price of $389, the Sunday Blueprint offers significant value for those looking for a beginner’s BMX bike. Though it might not be the most high-quality bike on the market, it serves as a robust starting point for those entering the BMX scene.
Customization and Upgradability of the Sunday Blueprint
One of the strong points of the Sunday Blueprint is its fully upgradable and customizable design. This feature allows riders to modify the bike over time, replacing its basic components with more advanced, aftermarket parts. However, bear in mind that the bike includes several loose ball bearings, so some caution is required when making certain upgrades.
Accessories/Notable Mentions or Lack Thereof
The Sunday Blueprint comes with brakes included. While this might seem a given, not all BMX bikes come with brakes, especially those designed for certain styles of riding. It’s worth noting that the Blueprint’s brakes are a valuable safety feature, especially for novice riders.
Color Options
The Sunday Blueprint is available in four color options: Matte Kiwi, Matte Midnight Blue, Gloss Black, and Gloss Watermelon Green. Each color comes with a different top tube size, giving riders more choices to find the perfect fit.
Bike Buying Advice
How to Choose the Right BMX Bike for You
How to Choose the Right BMX Bike for You
When it comes to choosing the right BMX bike for you, one mustn’t overlook the importance of finding a bike that fits both your physical requirements and riding style. As a perk for our readers, we offer a free bike recommendation service for our subscribers. All you need to do is click the link, tell us a bit about yourself, and we will recommend three BMX bikes that perfectly suit your height, skill level, and budget.
The Importance of Size
Ensuring that your BMX bike is the correct size is crucial for both your performance and safety. Reflecting on my personal experience, my first bike was far too small and low quality for my weight. As a result, it ended up breaking in just a few months. Therefore, it’s important to find a bike that fits you perfectly and is capable of supporting your weight without compromising its structural integrity.
Sizing Advice
Sunday Blueprint Geometry and Sizing
Sunday Blueprint Geometry and Sizing
| Toptube Size | Recommended Height (USA) | Recommended Height (Not USA) |
|---|---|---|
| 20.00″ | 4′ 10″ to 5′ 3″ | 1.47m to 1.60m |
| 20.25″ | 5′ 3″ to 5′ 6″ | 1.60m to 1.68m |
| 20.5″ | 5′ 6″ to 5′ 9″ | 1.68m to 1.75m |
| 20.75″ | 5′ 9″ to 6′ | 1.75m to 1.83m |
| 21″ | Over 6′ | Over 1.83m |
| 21.25″ | Way Over 6′ | Way Over 1.83m |
Considering the Sunday Blueprint, it’s essential to note that it comes in two different sizes. This ensures that riders of varying heights can find a version that suits them best. However, understanding the bike’s geometry is crucial because it heavily influences how the bike will handle and feel.
Available Toptube Sizes for the Sunday Blueprint
The Sunday Blueprint comes in two main top tube sizes. These are the 20.00 inch and the 20.5 inch options.
Ideal Rider Height for Each Size
The 20.00 inch top tube size is generally best for riders between five feet and five feet three inches. If you’re outside these heights, you can still ride this bike, but it will handle and feel a bit different. For riders between five foot six and five foot nine, the 20.5 inch top tube size is the most suitable. It’s important to remember though, due to the very low quality of the bike, it may not be recommended for most riders in this height range.
Frame Geometries
| Geometry | Spec | Shop Description |
|---|---|---|
| Head Tube Angle | 75 degrees | Standard, allowing for versatile handling |
| Standover Height | 8.75 inches | Slightly shorter than average, suitable for smaller riders |
| Chainstay Length | 13.2 – 13.5 inches | Longer than average, providing stability but reducing responsiveness |
| Bottom Bracket Height | 11.5 inches | Standard, ensuring balanced handling |
Part Geometries
On the Sunday Blueprint, the crank arm lengths are 160 millimeters. This is the smallest crank arm length you’re likely to find on a complete BMX bike, which is excellent for the smaller riders this bike targets. Keep in mind, if you’re a taller rider, this bike might not feel as comfortable.
Quality
Quality and Durability of the Sunday Blueprint
Quality and Durability of the Sunday Blueprint
In the realm of BMX, the quality of the components significantly affects the longevity and performance of the bike. The Sunday Blueprint, being the lowest-priced model in the 2023 Sunday lineup, is a budget-friendly choice with a fair share of compromises in quality.
Let’s dissect the construction of the Sunday Blueprint to better understand its potential longevity and durability. This analysis will center on some of the main parts of the bike, namely the frame, forks, handlebars, cranks, and rims. It is crucial to note that these components significantly influence the bike’s overall sturdiness and resilience.
| Part | Material | Quality Score |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | High Tensile Steel | Low |
| Forks | High Tensile Steel | Low |
| Handlebars | High Tensile Steel | Low |
| Cranks | 8 Spline Chromoly | Medium |
| Rims | Single Wall | Low |
As depicted in the table above, the frame, forks, and handlebars of the Sunday Blueprint are constructed from high tensile steel. This material, while cheaper, is not as durable or lightweight as chromoly, its higher-quality counterpart often found in more expensive bikes. High tensile steel is, unfortunately, prone to damage under high stress, which could limit the bike’s lifespan for more aggressive riders or those over a certain weight limit.
The cranks of the Sunday Blueprint are a step above, being 8 Spline Chromoly, providing a touch more durability and strength. But do note that they are heavier and not of the highest quality.
The rims of this bike are single-wall. In the biking world, double-wall rims are much more durable, as they can better handle the impact from tricks and rough terrains. Single-wall rims, as found on the Sunday Blueprint, may not be as resilient.
It’s important to remember that, as a rule of thumb, higher quality bikes are constructed with chromoly components. Chromoly, a high carbon steel, provides a much stronger, more durable, and lighter weight alternative to high tensile steel. While it comes with a higher price tag, it ensures a longer lifespan for the bike, making it a worthwhile investment for riders who plan on advancing their skills and pushing their bikes to the limits.
Therefore, while the Sunday Blueprint might be a perfect fit for beginners or lighter riders, its lower quality components might be a limiting factor for heavier riders or those aiming to progress quickly in their BMX journey. When choosing a BMX bike, always consider the balance between price and quality to ensure it aligns with your needs and goals.
Pros and Cons
Highlights and Lowlights of the Sunday Blueprint
Highlights and Lowlights of the Sunday Blueprint
After closely examining the Sunday Blueprint, it’s time to go over the significant features and potential areas for improvement. Keep in mind that, although the Sunday Blueprint may not be a high-quality bike, it can be the perfect choice for certain riders. We will also be discussing the quality score and weight limit for this model, followed by some crucial advice for heavier riders.
Noteworthy Features of the Sunday Blueprint
- Despite being a low-quality bike, the Sunday Blueprint can be a perfect choice for beginners, particularly younger and lighter riders.
- Offered in a range of colors and sizes, the Sunday Blueprint is customizable, allowing the rider to choose a bike that best fits their personal style and body size.
- It’s equipped with 160mm crank arm lengths, which is the smallest size found in complete BMX bikes and works well for smaller riders.
- The bike’s long chainstay length ensures greater stability, though it may make the bike less responsive and a bit challenging for smaller riders to control.
Areas of Disappointment and Potential Upgrades Needed
- Despite the customizability, many of the parts are equipped with loose ball bearings, which can be a hassle to manage during upgrades or replacements.
- The Sunday Blueprint uses a lot of high tensile steel, which is less durable than chromoly. This lowers the overall quality and longevity of the bike.
- The unsealed bearings in various parts of the bike are less durable, affecting the bike’s smooth operation. These should be upgraded to sealed bearings when possible.
Quality Score and Weight Limit of the Sunday Blueprint
It’s designed to be a budget-friendly bike. Its weight limit is around 130 pounds, making it ideal for lighter and younger riders. Those who weigh more than this limit should consider higher quality bikes to ensure durability and performance.
Advice for Riders Over the Weight Limit
Heavier riders must understand that a higher-quality bike is essential for their weight. Higher quality bikes come with long-lasting parts and better materials that not only provide improved performance but also ensure longevity. While it may seem expensive to buy a high-quality bike initially, it is cost-effective in the long run as it saves the expenses of frequent repairs or replacements.
Street, Park, or Dirt
Sunday Blueprint Riding Style: Park, Street, or Dirt?
Sunday Blueprint Riding Style: Park, Street, or Dirt?
While the Sunday Blueprint might be a budget-friendly entry into the world of BMX, its suitability across various riding styles such as park, street, and dirt varies significantly. The materials used, build quality, and geometry of the bike contribute towards defining its optimal riding style.
Park Riding
The Sunday Blueprint, due to its sturdy high tensile steel frame, might not be the best choice for park riding. This is because park riders require lightweight, responsive bikes that can perform fast spins and high airs. The slightly higher weight of the Blueprint and its longer chainstay might hinder such agility.
Street Riding
Street riding might be a bit more forgiving for Sunday Blueprint riders. The durability offered by its high tensile steel construction can handle the rough-and-tumble nature of street riding. But keep in mind that the low-quality components and non-sealed bearings may need frequent replacements due to the stresses encountered on streets.
Dirt Riding
When it comes to dirt riding, the Sunday Blueprint might struggle to meet expectations. Dirt riding typically demands bikes with a balanced blend of agility and stability. The longer chainstay and the lower standover height of the Blueprint might not offer the most comfortable ride on dirt tracks.
Customizing the Sunday Blueprint
One redeeming factor for the Sunday Blueprint is its high level of customization. As a rider, you have the freedom to upgrade various parts of the bike to suit your specific riding style. From replacing the unsealed bearings to switching out the crankset for a higher quality one, there are numerous ways you can enhance your Sunday Blueprint to better align with your BMX aspirations.
Remember, the right customization can transform this entry-level bike into a formidable machine on the BMX track. However, you need to ensure that the upgrades you choose are compatible with the bike and that they truly enhance your riding experience.
Best Upgrades
Top Three Upgrades for the Sunday Blueprint
Top Three Upgrades for the Sunday Blueprint
The Sunday Blueprint, while already a suitable option for beginners, could see improved performance and longevity with a few key upgrades. These upgrades can further customize the bike to fit your unique riding style and offer a smoother, more reliable riding experience.
1. Upgrade the Wheels
Why? The wheels on the Sunday Blueprint are made from single-wall rims. While these work for light riding, they might not hold up well under the pressure of heavier riding or tricks. Upgrading to double-wall rims can increase the strength and durability of your wheels, giving you more confidence in your rides.
2. Upgrade the Tires
Why? The tires are low quality and very heavy. You can save a lot of weight on your new ride if you buy some high quality light tires.
3. Upgrade the Cranks
Why? The cranks on the Blueprint are 8-spline chromoly cranks. They are rather heavy and not of the best quality. Upgrading to a higher quality set of cranks can improve the bike’s performance and feel, making it easier to pedal and perform tricks.
Remember, while these upgrades can enhance the performance of your Sunday Blueprint, they’re optional. If you’re a beginner rider or aren’t pushing the bike to its limits, the stock components should suffice for you. However, as you progress and demand more from your bike, considering these upgrades could prove beneficial.
Other Options
Sunday Blueprint Comparisons
Sunday Blueprint Comparisons
By now, you should have a comprehensive understanding of the Sunday Blueprint. While it has its merits for a specific demographic, there are other models you might want to consider, especially if you’re searching for a BMX bike with superior quality, or perhaps you fit outside the optimal height and weight range for the Blueprint.
Sunday Blueprint vs. Kink Whip
For instance, if you’re looking for an option with higher quality and greater durability, Kink Whip could be an excellent choice. It is designed with chromoly, making it much more durable than the high-tensile steel frame, forks, and bars on the Sunday Blueprint.
Sunday Blueprint vs. Wethepeople Reason
If you’re a heavier rider, over 130 lbs, or taller, over 5’9″, you may find a better fit with the WeThePeople Reason. This model is specifically engineered to cater to larger riders, and the parts are high-quality and sturdy, meaning they’ll withstand heavier use and potentially last longer.
Sunday Blueprint vs. Subrosa Malum
If you’re on the lookout for a BMX bike with exceptional geometry and maneuverability, consider the Subrosa Malum. Its short chainstay and other geometry specifications make it highly responsive and easy to control, offering a different riding experience than the longer chainstay on the Sunday Blueprint.
Remember, the key to buying a BMX bike is ensuring it aligns with your personal preferences, riding style, and physical attributes. Consider various models before making your final decision.
Final Thoughts
Does the Sunday Blueprint Have a Warranty?
Does the Sunday Blueprint Have a Warranty?
The Sunday Blueprint is covered by Sunday’s “Complete Bike Warranty”. The steel frame is covered for 6 months against manufacture defects and the components are covered for 90 days against “workmanship defects”. Understanding the full warranty is important before purchasing your new BMX bike.
COMPONENT WARRANTY: Most non-proprietary components have a limited warranty offered by the component manufacturer directly. Please contact your authorized dealer for additional information on making a warranty claim on such a part. All other parts except Normal Wear Parts are guaranteed against a defect in materials or workmanship for a period of (90) days from the date of original purchase, subject to the terms and conditions of this limited warranty.
41-Thermal Warranty: Sunday will replace its 41-Thermal processed products at no additional cost if it bends, cracks or breaks under normal riding conditions. Normal riding conditions are defined as “using the bicycle in a controlled fashion that is within your own capabilities.” This warranty does not include damage that is caused by external forces such as cars, tornadoes, sledgehammers, etc.
Learn More About Sunday’s Warranty
Where to Buy your Next BMX Bike?
It’s important to buy your next bmx bike from a trusted BMX shop. Buying from a trusted shop or online retailer ensures that you have somewhere to go for help if you occur any issues. I buy all of my stuff from Dan’s Comp because they always take care of their customers. If you run into any issues, their friendly staff will help you out.
Final Thoughts
Conclusion
Conclusion
Let’s be frank: the Sunday Blueprint isn’t going to win any awards for its high-end quality. It’s a very low-quality bike, a couple of notches above department store offerings. However, despite its shortcomings, it might just be the right ride for some of you out there.
At a price tag of $389, this bike, with its 20-inch wheels and a body made of high tensile steel, weighs in at 26 pounds. It may lack the premium components and aftermarket parts of its pricier counterparts, but it makes up for it in customizability. While you might be picking up ball bearings off the ground when tinkering, thanks to the loose bearings, the Sunday Blueprint does offer the potential to gradually upgrade and turn it into a pretty sweet custom bike.
Offered in matte kiwi, matte midnight blue, gloss black, and gloss watermelon green, and in 20 and 20.5-inch top tube sizes, the Sunday Blueprint caters to riders between 5 foot and 5 foot 9. But do note that due to its low quality, it might not be recommended for those in the upper range of this height limit.
The bike’s 8.75-inch standover height is beneficial for smaller riders, but the long chainstay might make it a bit hard to handle for some. Keep in mind that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all ride. Understanding the geometry and the feel of the bike is crucial to enjoying your ride. Remember, if you’re struggling with tricks like the manual, it’s not you; it’s the long chainstay.
Speaking of quality, the bike’s frame, bars, and forks are all made from high tensile steel. This is a budget-friendly bike, but it also means it won’t hold up too well under a heavier rider. If you’re over 130 pounds, you might want to look at other options, unless you want to be buying multiple Sunday Blueprints in quick succession.
In terms of upgrades, your best bet would be to replace the unsealed bearings and the wheels. Despite being a low-quality bike, the Sunday Blueprint is fully customizable. It’s not about buying the most expensive bike; it’s about getting a ride that suits you.
As we look towards the future, we can expect other brands to challenge the market with their own low-cost, high customization offerings. In the meanwhile, if the Sunday Blueprint feels like the bike for you, more power to you!
And remember, if you’re ever confused or have a question about this bike or about BMX in general, feel free to pop over to the BMX Nerds Discord or the Community Page. We’re here to help you find the perfect ride.
Current Year vs. Last Year
Model Year Updates
Model Year Updates
With the release of the 2024 Sunday Blueprint, we see a continuation of the brand’s dedication to providing affordable, customizable options for BMX enthusiasts. The key updates to this year’s model offer improvements and tweaks to ensure the bike’s appeal to both beginners and those looking to customize their ride.
Color and Size Options: This year’s model presents an array of color and size options. The 2024 Sunday Blueprint comes in four colors: matte kiwi, matte midnight blue, gloss black, and gloss watermelon green. The bike offers two top tube sizes, 20 and 20.5 inches, catering to riders of different heights and riding preferences.
Changes Throughout the Years
2022 Sunday Blueprint
- 20.00″ Toptube and 20.5″ Toptube
- Old Color Options
2023 Sunday Blueprint
- 20.00″ Toptube and 20.5″ Toptube
- New Color Options
In 2023 Sunday released the blueprint with all new color options and that is really the only notable change.
