Many people who are getting a new BMX bike look at the Subrosa Malum due to Subrosa’s popularity and quality of the Malum. But before they buy it, they are wondering if it is a good bike. The answer is really dynamic and different for each rider so I’ll break it down and we will determine if this is a good bike for you.
The 2022 Subrosa Malum is an expensive $659 BMX bike that will last for almost any mid-level rider. There is no weight limit bike due to the chromoly main components. It has solid aftermarket parts like the VVS sprocket and the Interlock V2 chain. The Malum weighed 26.2 lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
| How Much Does it Weigh? | 26.2 LBS |
| How Much Does it Cost? | $659 |
| Can I upgrade it? | Yes, you can easily replace and upgrade the parts on this bike |
| Does it have any pegs? | No pegs or hub guards |
| Does it have Brakes? | Rant spring brakes, removable brake mounts, gyro holes drilled |
| What options does it have? | 21 Matte Trans Teal | 21 Black |
| Gearing Info | Rant Party On – Sealed Cassette – 9t – RHD |
Geometry and Sizing
Let’s talk about the sizing of this bike so you can decide if it will be the right size for your height. Check out the Dougsterbob Size guide to see what you need to be looking for when shopping for a new BMX bike.
The most common cause of failure in BMX is an improperly sized BMX bike.
Frame Size
| Toptube Size 1 | 21″ |
| Height Recommendation | Over 6′ |
| Big Bike Background | Over 5′ 9″ |
Big Bike Background = Use this sizing if you have experience riding larger bikes like dirtbikes and mountain bikes since the experience on the bigger bike will make your BMX feel small.
Frame Geometry
| HT Angle | 75º |
| SO Height | 9” |
| CS Length | 13.2” |
| BB Height | 11.6” |
The geometry on the Malum is pretty “average”. Not many of the geometries will have a drastic effect on how the bike feels and handles so it is safe to say that the Malum is a good balance of stability and control.
Other Geometry
| Fork Offset | 30mm |
| Bar Rise | 9” |
| Bar Width | TBD |
| Crank Length | 170mm |
| Stem Specs | 50mm Reach Maybe? |
| Gear Ratio | 25/9 |
The 30mm fork offset gives this bike a little more stability in the front end which will add to the slight stability that the 13.2 chain stay provides. The 9″ bars will feel a little small if the rider is 6’+ so consider and upgrade if you feel hunched over.
Quality & Weight Limit
The quality determines how long your bike will last and how it will hold up to certain levels of riding. Get the highest quality bike that you can afford because this will increase it’s longevity.
| Quality Score | 7.2 |
| Weight Limit | None |
Main Component Quality
The main components are average, but nothing to get excited about. My biggest concern here is the hi-tensile steel fork legs, the back end of the frame, and single-wall rims. For a rider weighing over 160 lbs, they should pay special attention to these parts to ensure they last.
| Frame | Full Chromoly |
| Forks | Full Chromoly 30mm offset |
| Bars | Full Chromoly – 2 pc bars – 9″ Rise |
| Cranks | 8 spline, 3 pc cranks, chromoly |
| Rims | Rant Squad, alloy, double wall – pinned seam |
✅ Part Package Highlights
- Shadow Surface Pedals
- Subrosa Rose TL Stem
- Fully Sealed Bearings
- Shadow VVS 25t Sprocket
- Shadow Interlock V2 Chain
- Shadow Contender Tires
❌ Part Package Lowlights
- No pegs or hub guards
Utility
Certain bikes are better for certain types of riding. Let’s talk about what type of riding this bike is best for. Remember, you can always make upgrades to make it better for your desired type of riding.
| Type of Riding | Dirt |
| Street | 3.78 |
| Park | 4.62 |
| Dirt | 6.15 |
The Malum has a slightly responsive geometry which is going to make it handle best on dirt. The parts package is also not geared to street or park so it will score higher in dirt by default. Remember that the Malum is fully customizable and it’s totally possible to make upgrades to make it better for any kind of riding.
Good Upgrades
| Upgrade 1 | Pegs and hub guards |
| Upgrade 2 | 48 spline cranks |
Conclusion
Overall, I was impressed with the quality that Subrosa put into the parts package for the Malum. Any rider who gets this will enjoy the way it feels cruising dirt jumps and pump tracks, and all they need to do is add pegs and hub guards to enjoy cruising street on it.
With the 7.2 quality score, this makes it slightly higher quality than the Kink Whip and close to the Kink Switch. I was a little disappointed in the price because $660 seems like a lot for a mid-level bike compared to lower-priced mid-level options. However, after seeing the parts package, I could justify the price.
Request a Recommendation from me to guarantee you get the perfect bike.
