The 2022 Kink Launch is a beginner-level BMX bike. It is low quality and designed for the new rider. This bike comes at a very competitive $400 price point and 3 different color options. A new rider will enjoy learning BMX on this 26.4lb responsive bike.
Here’s how it stacks up against my TOP 5 Picks…
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Skip right to the good stuff where I give the bike a Dougsterbob Score based on 20 different aspects that determine how good the bike is overall.
Review Video
Overview
The 2022 Kink Launch upholds the reputation of the Launch model by continuing to be one of the best bang for your buck deals out there. Designed as an entry level bike, Kink has made sure that the Launch is strong enough to withstand the inherent abuse that learning new tricks brings. A sealed integrated headset, sealed mid bottom bracket, 3-piece chromoly cranks, and a cassette with a 14mm axle all contribute to a ride that will keep on rolling. The 2022 Kink Launch is a great bike that will help any rider learn to ride in the streets, skateparks, and trails.
from: Danscomp
Highlights
- Beginner-level quality
- Multiple Size choices
- Multiple Color options
Specs
Price
The 2022 Kink Launch costs $409.
Colors
2022 Kink Launch Part List
| Frame: 100% High-Tensile Steel |
| Fork: Kink Stryker 310 Chromoly Steerer Tube (Tapered Fork Legs) |
| Bars: Kink T875 8.75″ 100% High-Tensile Steel |
| Grips: Kink Paragon |
| Bar Ends: Kink Thrust |
| Stem: Mission Bold HRD (50mm) |
| Headset: Mission Sealed Integrated (41.8° x 45°) |
| Brake Lever: Mission Token |
| Brake Cable: Mission L3 Linear |
| Brakes: Mission Cease V2 |
| Cranks: Mission Triumph 3-Piece 8 Spline Tubular Chromoly (170mm Length) |
| Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid (19mm) |
| Pedals: Kink Hemlock |
| Chain: Mission 410 |
| Sprocket: Mission Rank (25 Tooth) |
| Front Hub: Mission Covert Unsealed (3/8″ Axle) |
| Rear Hub: Mission Function Semi-Sealed Cassette (14mm Axle) |
| Driver: 9 Tooth |
| Rims: Mission X7 |
| Seat: Kink Warsaw Combo |
| Seat Post: Mission Combo Steel |
| Seat Clamp: Mission Slim Clamp |
| Tires: Kink Sever (20 x 2.4″) |
| Gyro Tabs: Tapped for Tabs |
| Weight: 26 lbs 4 oz |
Frame Geometry
What is the frame geometry on the 2022 Kink Launch?
A: Top Tube Length: 20.25″ – Learn what size is right for you here.
Check the size guide to see if it’s right for you..
Getting a top tube that is taller than suggested will make the bike feel more controlled and less responsive
Getting a top tube size that is smaller than normal will make the bike feel a lot more snappy and responsive.
B: Chain Stay Length: 13.25″ – Learn About Chain Stays Here
This is a medium/long chainstay.
A short chain stay makes the bike feel twitchy. Spins will be easy, but airing and jumping might feel hard to control.
A long chain stay will make the bike feel really controlled. Spins will feel sluggish, but manuals and air tricks will feel nice because it will be more stable.
C: Head Tube Angle: 75° – Learn About Head Tube Angles Here
Steep head tube angles make the bike “snappy” meaning more responsive to fast turns.
A less steep head tube gives you more control.
D: Seat Tube Angle: 71°
E: Bottom Bracket Height: 11.6″
F: Stand over height: 8.75″
This is a medium standover.
A medium standover will make tailwhips easier, but barspins harder. You get less control with a lower standover.
Bar Geometry – Learn more here
G: Rise: 8.75″
This is an average rise.
Riding a tall rise, will give you more leverage on the bike. Making it easier to pull back and lift the front wheel up.
H: Width: N/A
Narrow bars make barspins easier.
Wide bars give you more control and stability when steering.
I: Backsweep: N/A
What does backsweep do?
As far as I know, there is a sweet spot for backsweep. Too much will make the bike feel weird, and too little will make the bike unstable. It seems like the sweet spot is around 11º to 12º. If you need something a little more aggressive and straight feeling, go for 10º, but only do this if 11º is uncomfortable.
J: Upsweep: N/A
What does upsweep do?
There is a lot of discussion about 1º upsweep vs. 4º upsweep. Some people are running experiments and testing if the greater upsweep will make drops feel better. It seems like a lot of street riders run 4º to 5º upsweep. This helps with wrist pain and lessens the impact of big drops.
Other 2022 Kink Bikes
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Dougsterbob Score
Now everything above the line is pretty basic info. I break down the specs, geometry and some highlights. But that doesn’t really help you find the right bike. So I created the Dougsterbob Score.
What is it?
The Dougsterbob Score is taken from Doug Demaro’s “Doug Score” (He already had the name so I had to get creative with mine haha) Anyway, this assigns a score to the bike based on 20 different aspects. This way you will know exactly what this bike is good for and how it holds up.
Read how I score the bikes here
2022 Kink Launch Rankings
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Dougsterbob Score | 3.45/10 |
| Street Score | 1.25/10 |
| Park Score | 3.67/10 |
| Dirt Score | 3.67/10 |
| Quality Score | 1.5/10 |
Dougsterbob Score
Dougsterbob Score: 3.45
The 2022 Kink Launch scored a 3.45/10. This is not a great Dougsterbob score and generally means that the bike is slightly overpriced for the quality that you get.
I like that the launch is a beginner-level bike, with geometry designed to help new riders pick up on the sport FAST.
Is the 2022 Kink Launch a good bike?
This bike is made from weak hi-tensile steel with single-wall rims. It is a lower-quality bike and will not withstand mid-level riding. It is only a good bike for newer riders.
Street Score
Street Score: 1.25
The Kink Launch scored a 1.25/10 in the street section. It scored really low because it is missing pegs, hub guards, and a freecoaster. Most beginner riders will consider buying the launch and plan to ride street. It’s possible but you need some upgrades first.
The low quality will also cause some problems since street riding consists of big drops and gnarly grinds. The Launch is not designed to hold up to this kind of riding.
Is the Kink Launch a good bike for street riding?
The Launch is not a street-specific bike. If you are brand new and get this bike, plan on buying some upgrades to make it good for street. Read about the best upgrades here.
Park Score
Park Score: 3.67
The Kink Launch scored a 3.67/10 in the park section. This bike can have a gyro brake system but it doesn’t come with it. Aside from that, the geometry is pretty standard and does not offer the snappy and responsive feeling that you want on a park-specific bike.
There are a lot of things that need to be added to the Launch to make it a park machine. Consider some park-specific tires, steeper 25mm forks, and a gyro brake system.
Is the Kink Launch a good bike for riding skateparks?
The Kink Launch is a bad choice if you want to use it as a “park only” bike.
Dirt Score
Dirt Score: 3.67
A 3.67 dirt score means that the bike doesn’t have anything dirt-specific. The Launch is pretty plain and is missing some crucial dirt-specific items.
For the section, I like to see a bike with dirt-specific tires, special gearing, and a long stable geometry. The Launch has virtually none of those things. Except the 13.2″. chainstay. This is borderline stable, but that alone isn’t enough to make it dirt-specific.
Is the Kink Launch a good bike for dirt jumps?
If dirt is your true calling, don’t buy the Launch. Look for a more dirt-specific bike.
Quality Score
Quality Score: 1.5
The Kink Launch is a low-quality bike. It has a frame, forks, and bars that are made from hi-tensile steel. Single-wall rims, and some unsealed parts to name a few. Riding a low-quality bike is ok for a brand new rider since they are not riding hard enough to break the bike.
Everything is fully customizable, which means that later on, you can upgrade these parts with higher-quality aftermarket parts. But this is an expensive process.
If you are new to the sport, this quality will be ok for you. Just know that as you get better, the parts will start to break.
Style
The Kink launch is a very nice-looking bike. I’m always impressed with how Kink designs their bike. This low-end bike looks just like a bike that the pros ride. That is tough to do since low-end bikes always look like junk.
The Launch has 3 different color options and is fully customizable. Even if the bike is not the right style for you, you will be able to change and upgrade parts.
Value
DISCLAIMER FOR 2022 BMX BIKES: DUE TO THE SHORTAGE FACED EARLIER IN 2020, MOST 2022 MODEL BMX BIKES ARE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE 2021 VERSION.
The 2022 Kink Launch is just over $400. I really think that the value of this bike is low. Keep in mind that this opinion may change as more 2022 models are released. But as of right now, this is a lot of money for an entry-level BMX bike with hi-tensile steel.
For $550 you can probably find a full chromoly bike with one or two double-wall rims. If you can spend a little bit more, you can get a much better bike that will last.
If you are considering this bike because nothing else is in stock… go for it. I think it is more important to buy a bike and start riding since you can always upgrade the bike as you progress.
Should you get it?
The Kink Launch is for someone who is shopping for their first bike. This person plans to ride street, park, and dirt since the Launch is pretty well-rounded. They only have a $400 budget and they are unsure how long they will be riding BMX. This is a good bike to get and start out on and test out the sport.
I think it is a little overpriced, but there are not many similar options. If you fit the description, this will be a good choice for you. But if you plan to progress past the “beginner” level… get a better bike.
Would I recommend it?
If you can’t find any other beginner-level bikes in stock, yes I totally recommend it. But if you can find a Kink Whip, Sunday Ex, or WTP Reason in stock, go with one of those. The quality is sooo much better.
Common Questions
What is the Price?
The 2022 Kink Launch is for sale right now for $409.
How Much Does it Weigh?
The 2022 Kink Launch weighs 26 lbs. and 4 oz’s.
Where to buy it?
You can get the Launch from Danscomp. I found it in stock here: https://bit.ly/3dXFzR7
Buy if you are learning:
Click the trick you want to learn, to see the BIKE SCHOOL lesson
Don’t buy if you are learning:
- big 360
- drops
- grinding
- backflip
- tailwhip
Conclusion
The Launch is a better choice than the Primer. However, I really really recommend that anyone who has $500 – $600 gets a mid-level bike instead of a beginner-level bike like this. The quality of the Launch will not last as you progress. Which results in broken parts that will make you sad.
