2022 Kink Whip Review


The 2022 Kink Whip is one of the best BMX bikes for the price. For only $500 you get a full chromoly frame, fork, and bars, double-wall rims, and a few after-market parts. The Whip comes in a 20.5″ and a 21″ XL version. This bike weighs 27.7 lbs and is suited for any beginner or mid-level rider.

Check out the most recent price of the Whip by clicking hereOpens in a new tab..

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 Whip BMX Bike takes things to the next level with components made from chromoly and every bearing being fully sealed for pro level strength and performance. The frame, forks, handlebars, and cranks are constructed out of 100% 4130 chromoly, the same material that can be found on top level bikes. Kink didn’t stop there. They also included many other parts that can be ordered as aftermarket upgrades such as the Bold stem, Hemlocks, Nexus 25 tooth sprocket, and Duran stealth pivotal seat. It’s hard to believe the price when seeing everything the Kink Whip comes with.

from: DanscompOpens in a new tab.

Highlights

  • Good quality
  • Normal (20.5″) or XL (21″) Options
  • Full Chromoly frame, forks, and bars
  • Great quality to price ratio

Specs

Price

The 2022 Kink Whip 20.5″ option costs $499.99.

Colors

  • Black Fade
  • Sage Grey

2022 Kink Whip Part List

Frame: 100% 4130 Chromoly 
Fork: Kink Stryker 4130 Chromoly Steerer (Tapered Fork Legs) 
Headset: Mission Sealed Integrated (41.8° x 45°) 
Stem: Kink Bold HRD (50mm Reach) 
Bars: Kink T900 9″ 100% 4130 Chromoly 
Grips: Kink Ace Flangeless 
Cranks: Kink Ridge 3-Piece Tubular Chromoly 8 Spline (170mm Length) 
Bottom Bracket: Sealed Mid (19mm) 
Pedals: Kink Hemlock NF 
Chain: Mission 410 
Sprocket: Mission Nexus 6061 Aluminum (25 Tooth) 
Front Hub: Mission Foxtrot Sealed (3/8″ Axle) 
Rear Hub: Mission Engage Sealed Cassette (14mm Axle) 
Driver: 9 Tooth Sealed Bearings (Right Hand Drive) 
Front Rim: Mission Mylar 
Rear Rim: Mission Mylar 
Front Tire: Kink Sever (20 x 2.4″) 
Rear Tire: Kink Sever (20 x 2.4″) 
Seat: Kink Duran Stealth (Stealth Pivotal) 
Seat Post: Mission Stealth (Stealth Pivotal Seat Post) 
Seat Clamp: Mission Slim Clamp 
Lever: Mission Token 
Brake Cable: Mission L4 Linear 
Brakes: Mission Cease V2 
Gyro Tabs: Drilled (Not Included) 
Color: Black Fade 
Weight: 27 lbs 10 oz

Frame Geometry

A: Top Tube Length:  20.5″, 21″ – Learn what size is right for you here.Opens in a new tab.

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 HereOpens in a new tab.

This is a 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 HereOpens in a new tab.

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: 9″

This is a medium standover. 

A low standover will make tailwhips easier, but barspins harder. 

A tall standover gives you more to pinch and grab when doing barspins & t-bogs.

Bar Geometry – Learn more hereOpens in a new tab.

G: Rise: N/A

H: Width: N/A

I: Backsweep:  N/A

J: Upsweep: N/A

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 hereOpens in a new tab.

2022 Kink Launch Rankings

CategoryPoints
Dougsterbob Score4.45/10
Street Score3.25/10
Park Score2.67/10
Dirt Score3.33/10
Quality Score6.25/10

Dougsterbob Score

Dougsterbob Score: 4.45

The 2022 Kink Whip scored a 4.45/10. This is an OK Dougsterbob score. Since it is a good value, the Kink Whip scores fairly high in the quality and in the dougsterbob score. This is one of my favorite bikes this year. 

This is one of Kink’s most popular models because of the amount of quality they put into the bike for such a low price. Similarly priced BMX bikes do not compare to the quality of the Whip, and for that reason, this is a superior bike.

Is the Kink Whip a good bike?

The Kink Whip is one of the best bikes available this year. It has good parts that will ensure it lasts as you progress at BMX riding. A similar quality Sunday bike will cost you over $600.

Street Score

Street Score: 3.25

The Kink Whip scored a 3.25/10 in the street section. This is because you CAN ride street on this bike. However, you will need to purchase upgrades. The Whip does not come with pegs/hub guards or a freecoaster.

The components on the Whip are strong enough to withstand big drops and big gaps. If you plan to do drop-off stair sets, the Whip can take a beating.

Is the 2022 Kink Whip for street riding?

Right out of the box, no. Only because I consider street riding to include grinding. The whip does not come with pegs so these will need to be purchased separately. Once you have the pegs, this will be a good street bike.

Park Score

Park Score: 2.67

The Kink Whip scored a 2.67/10. It’s not park-specific since it doesn’t have any park-specific parts on it.

To make the Whip park-specific you would want to add a gyro along with some more responsive parts. The frame geometry is not super responsive which can make park riding hard. It’s best to get a park-specific bike like the Wethepeople VersusOpens in a new tab..

Is the 2022 Kink Whip good for riding skateparks?

You will be able to ride skateparks on the Kink Whip, especially at a beginner level. But if you are a more advanced park rider, this would not be the best choice for you. Later I will explain who this bike is for to give you a better understanding as to what kind of person this bike is perfect for.

Dirt Score

Dirt Score: 3.33

The Kink Whip scored a 3.33/10 in the Dirt Section. It is not a dirt-specific bike right out of the box. Buy it can be easily upgraded in that direction if this is your calling.

To make the whip a little more dirt-specific, you’d first want to get some dirt-specific tires. Next look for a bigger sprocket to increase your gearing and give you a higher top speed. The frame geometry is already decent for dirt so you won’t have to worry about upgrading your frame.

Is the Kink Whip good for riding dirt?

The Kink Whip is good for riding a pump track and small dirt jumps. If you are serious about riding dirt, look for a more dirt-specific bike on the Score SheetOpens in a new tab. or purchase some dirt upgrades mentioned above.

Quality Score

Quality Score: 6.25

Kink’s 2022 Whip is not the highest quality BMX bike available. But when you consider the low $500 price tag, the 6.25 score is incredible. This is a good quality bike with some room for improvement.

Riding a high-quality bike is important to have fun and progress safely.

The Kink Whip includes these high-quality parts that make up its 6.25 Quality Score

  • Full Chromoly Frame
  • Full Chromoly Forks
  • Full Chromoly Bars
  • 2x Double Wall Mision Mylar Rims
  • Fully Sealed Bearings

Style

The Kink Whip looks beautiful. Kink kept it pretty simple with the “Black Fade” color and the XL looks clean in the “Sage Grey”. My only issue is that there are not many color options for the Kink Whip. Riders should have many options to pick from in order to get the perfect bike for them.

Value

For $500 you get a full chromoly bike with double-wall rims and this is a 10/10 value. No other 2022 BMX bike can match this quality for anywhere close to the price. The Whip is hands down the best value-minded bike available right now.

If you are considering this bike and have the money…go for it. The quality will last as you progress. Plus this is definitely the best bike for the price.

Should you get it?

If you are a rider who is pretty new or returning to the sport of BMX after a break, this will be an amazing bike for you. The person who gets this bike plans on riding a little bit of everything since the Whip is not specific for one area of riding. It is made to dabble in all 3 (park, street, and dirt) until you find the one that is the most fun for you. Please double-check the size guide to make sure the Whip is the right size.

Would I recommend it?

The Whip is one of my most recommended bikes. The quality is great for new riders and returning riders and you literally cannot beat the price. I recommend the Whip to anyone looking for a bike with AMAZING value.

Common Questions

What is the Price?

The 2022 Kink Whip is $499.99

How Much Does it Weigh?

The 2022 Kink Whip Weighs 27.7lbs

Where to buy it?

You can get the Kink Whip from Dan’s Comp here: https://bit.ly/2YGT9np

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:

  • High level park tricks
  • High level dirt tricks
  • High level street tricks

Conclusion

The Whip is one of the few bikes that does not have any “potential issues” with your purchase. Buying this bike will give you something to hop on and start progressing on immediately. The quality is better than any other $500 BMX bike available.

Douglas Laird

My parents bought me my first BMX bike in 2011 and it changed my life. This bike has taken me all over the world and introduced me to cool places and cooler people. My goal is to help get 1,000,000 people into BMX so they can experience the joy and freedom that comes from a progression based sport.

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