2022 Cult Gateway – 20.5″ Cult BMX Bike

3.0 rating

The Gateway comes in 4 unique colors, and costs a little over $400. This beginner-quality BMX bike is designed as an entry-level bike for someone who is relatively new to BMX. The geometry is on the stable side and it will give new riders more control over their bike. I don’t recommend this bike very often since there are much better 20.5″ options..

Check out the most recent price of the Gateway by clicking here.Opens in a new tab.

Here’s how it stacks up against my TOP 5 Picks…

2022 Kink Gap Important Information

Make/ModelQuality ScoreStreet, Park, or Dirt?Skill LevelBest Price
2022 Cult Gateway2.8Street/DirtBeginnerDan’s Comp

My Top 5 BMX Picks

Make/ModelQuality ScoreStreet, Park, or Dirt?Skill LevelReview Link
2022 Kink Whip6.9Well Rounded Mid-LevelWatch HereOpens in a new tab.
2022 Kink Switch6.9StreetMid-LevelWatch HereOpens in a new tab.
2022 Sunday EX6Well RoundedMid-LevelWatch HereOpens in a new tab.
2022 WTP Reason6.8StreetMid-LevelWatch HereOpens in a new tab.
2022 Sunday Soundwave10Well RoundedPro-LevelWatch HereOpens in a new tab.

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 Cult 2022 Gateway BMX Bike opens the doors to the limitless possibilities of freestyle riding. A combination of chromoly and high-tensile steel is used for strength to ensure the fun doesn’t stop while learning a new line. Fully sealed bearings throughout provide a carefree experience and smooth ride while requiring less maintenance.

from: Dan’s Comp

Highlights

  • 20.5″ toptube
  • Sealed bearings
  • 4 color options

Specs

Price

The 2022 Cult Gateway costs $429.99.

Colors

  • Teal
  • Raw
  • Black
  • Calvary Blue

2022 Cult Gateway Part List

Frame: Chromoly Front End (20.5″ Toptube) 
Fork: Chromoly Steerer Tube (10mm Dropouts) 
Headset: Integrated (1-1/8″) 
Stem: Top Load 
Bars: High-Tensile Steel (30″ Wide) (9″ Rise) 
Grips: Cult Begin 
Cranks: Chromoly 3-Piece (170mm Length) 
Bottom Bracket: Mid, Sealed 
Pedals: Cult Nylon 
Sprocket: 25T 
Chain: Cult 410 
Front Hub: Alloy Shell, Sealed Bearings (3/8″ Axle) (17mm Nut) 
Rear Hub: Cassette, Sealed Bearings (14mm Axle) 
Driver: 9T, Sealed Bearing 
Front Rim: Cult Match Alloy Single Wall 
Rear Rim: Cult Match Alloy Single Wall 
Front Tire: Cult x Vans (20 x 2.4″) 
Rear Tire: Cult x Vans (20 x 2.4″) 
Seat: 1-Piece Padded w/ Cult Logo 
Seat Post: 1-Piece Combo 
Seat Clamp: Integrated 
Brake Lever: Alloy 
Brakes: 990 U-Brake 
Gyro: – 
Gyro Tabs: – 
Brake Mounts: Welded 
Extras: – 
Color: Teal | Black | Raw | Calvary Blue
Weight: ~26 LBS

Frame Geometry

A: Top Tube Length:  20.5″ – 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: 13.65” – 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.

This is an Average headtube angle

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: 11.8″

This is a Average bottom bracket

A low BB height will make the bike feel more stable since the height of your pedals and cranks are close to the ground.

A tall BB height will make the bike more snappy and responsive since you will be standing higher up off the ground.

F: Stand over height: N/A

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: 9″

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: 30″

This is an Average width

Narrow bars make barspins easier.

Wide bars give you more control and stability when steering.

I: Backsweep:  N/A

J: Upsweep: N/A

Other 2022 Cult Bikes

Bike NameBike PriceQuality Level
Cult Access$359.99BeginnerOpens in a new tab.
Cult Gateway$429.99Opens in a new tab.BeginnerOpens in a new tab.
Cult Control$499.99Opens in a new tab.Mid-LevelOpens in a new tab.
Cult Devotion$569.99Opens in a new tab.MidOpens in a new tab./High-Level

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.

The scores for this bike are a result of comprehensive testing on the product. Every aspect of this bike has been carefully considered and compared to other BMX bikes. These scores will allow you to make a smart and confident decision when purchasing the bike.

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.

Everything you need to know about the Cult Gateway and its utility

Dougsterbob Value Factor

Value Factor: 6.51

Is the Kink Gap a good value?

The Cult Gateway scored a 6.51 in the Value. This is a pretty low score and means that the bike is slightly overpriced for the quality.

You can spend a little bit more and get the better quality Kink Whip which has a Value Factor of 13.8.

Is the Cult Gateway a good bike?

Overall, the gateway is not a bad choice. It’s just slightly overpriced. For someone who doesn’t plan on doing a lot of tricks and just wants to cruise, the gateway will be fine and you cant deny that it looks pretty dope.

Riding it at street spots

Street Score: 3.33

The Cult Gateway scored a 3.33 in the street section. The Gateway does not have a freecoaster or pegs. Some might want a bike that is more for street riding.

Is the 2022 Cult Gateway for street riding?

I do not count the Gateway as a street-specific BMX bike. It could be upgraded as one… but as it comes out of the box, it’s not street specific.

Riding it at the Skatepark

Park Score: 1.79

The Cult Gateway scored a 1.79 in park. With a Gyro and a more responsive geometry, it would do a lot better.

Is the 2022 Cult Gateway good for riding skateparks?

No, the Gateway is not a park-specific bike. It has such a long stable geometry which will make the bike sluggish and not very responsive.

Riding it on the dirt jumps or pump tracks

Dirt Score: 3.85

The Gateway scored a 3.85 in the Dirt Score. Making this bike more dirt specific is definitely a possibility. Cult threw on some standard “street tires” among other things.

Check out the WTP Revolver to see a dirt-specific bike. (Check it out hereOpens in a new tab.)

Is the Cult Gateway good for riding dirt jumps and pump tracks?

If I had to pick only one discipline for this bike, dirt would be it. The reality is that this bike will be good for riding dirt and street after you make the appropriate upgrades. It’s a beginner bike that will allow a new rider to try out everything.

Quality Score

Quality Score: 2.8

What about the Quality?

The Gateway is a low-scoring 2.8 which is really sad. I do not recommend bikes with a score this low. Especially if you are serious about the sport. All it means is that the bike may not last as you learn new tricks and start progressing.

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

The Cult Gateway includes these features that make up its 2.8 Quality Score

  • Fully sealed bearings
  • “trimoly” frame

Should you get it the Cult Gateway

For the most part.. I’m going to say no. Now you might have certain circumstances that will make this a great choice for you… but the price is so high and the quality so low. The only reason to grab it is the sick color options.

See if I recommend this to you by filling out the Free BMX Bike RecommendationOpens in a new tab.

Common Questions

What is the Price?

The 2022 Cult Gateway will cost you $429.99

How Much Does it Weigh?

We don’t have an official work from Cult on the weight, but we can assume it will be around 26lbs.

Where to buy it?

You can get the Cult Control from Dan’s Comp here: https://bit.ly/3APc0K2Opens in a new tab.

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:

  • Be careful on BIG dirt jumps or BIG street drops
  • You obviously can’t do grinds unless you buy some pegs

Conclusion

The Cult Gateway is a cool liking bike. But in terms of quality, it just does not make the mark and there is nothing special about it utility-wise that makes it worth the price. The only reason to get this bike is because of the colors.

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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