Complete BMX bikes with a freecoaster are hard to find for a good price. The Kink Gap FC is the cheapest BMX bike in a freecoaster option. If you want a new BMX bike but have a budget of less then $500, the Gap FC is for you. The quality is decent but the coolest thing is the freecoaster option. The Gap FC weighs 26 lbs and 14 oz. It’s a heavy bike that costs $469.
Check out the most recent price of the Gap FC by clicking here.
Here’s how it stacks up against my TOP 5 Picks…
2022 Cult Control Important Information
| Make/Model | Quality Score | Street, Park, or Dirt? | Skill Level | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kink Gap FC | 3.6 | Street/Park | Beginner | Dan’s Comp |
My Top 5 BMX Picks
| Make/Model | Quality Score | Street, Park, or Dirt? | Skill Level | Review Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kink Whip | 6.9 | Well Rounded | Mid-Level | Watch Here |
| 2022 Kink Switch | 6.9 | Street | Mid-Level | Watch Here |
| 2022 Sunday EX | 6 | Well Rounded | Mid-Level | Watch Here |
| 2022 WTP Reason | 6.8 | Street | Mid-Level | Watch Here |
| 2022 Sunday Soundwave | 10 | Well Rounded | Pro-Level | Watch Here |
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
After its hugely successful introduction, the Gap FC continues to feature the same great Gap specs but adds a freecoaster rear hub for making backwards tricks a breeze. Featuring modern geometry, the frame, fork, and bars also add some 4130 chromoly into the mix and is available in a tough Matte Midnight Black colorway. Components found on the Gap FC take things up a notch too and are not to be missed.
Not only will it look the part, the 9” Kink T900 bars, Kink Stryker forks, Kink Bold HRD stem, sealed Mission Deploy freecoaster hub, and Kink Ridge 3-piece tubular chromoly cranks help it to feel and perform the part. The addition of a Stealth seat and seat post are not to be overlooked either and add both adjustability and modern compatibility. Modern frame geometry brings a lower bottom bracket and raised standover height to the Gap FC, for a stable ride.
Highlights
- 20.5″ Toptube
- Trimoly Frame
- Freecoaster hub (no pedaling backwards during fakie)
Specs
Price
The 2022 Kink Gap FC costs $469.99.
Colors
- Matte Midnight Black
2022 Kink Gap FC Part List
| Frame: 100% 4130 Chromoly Headtube, Toptube, & Downtube |
| Fork: Kink Stryker 4130 Chromoly Steerer Tube (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 |
| Chain: Mission 410 |
| Sprocket: Mission Rank (25 Tooth) |
| Front Hub: Mission Covert Unsealed (3/8″ Axle) |
| Rear Hub: Mission Deploy Sealed Freecoaster (14mm Axle) |
| Driver: 9 Tooth Sealed Bearings (Right Hand Drive) |
| Front Rim: Mission X7 |
| Rear Rim: Mission X7 |
| Front Tire: Kink Sever (20 x 2.4″) |
| Rear Tire: Kink Sever (20 x 2.4″) |
| Seat: Kink Plymouth Stealth (Stealth Pivotal) |
| Seat Post: Mission Stealth (Stealth Pivotal Seat Post) |
| Seat Clamp: Mission Slim Clamp |
| Lever: Mission Token |
| Brake Cable: Mission L3 Linear |
| Brakes: Mission Cease V2 |
| Gyro Tabs: Drilled (Not Included) |
| Color: Matte Midnight Black |
| Weight: 26 lbs 14 oz |
Frame Geometry
A: Top Tube Length: 20.5″ – 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 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
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: 11.6″
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: 9″
This is an Average stand over height
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 here
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: N/A
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 Kink Bikes
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 here
Everything you need to know about the Kink Gap FC and its utility
Dougsterbob Value Factor
Value Factor: 7.66
Is the Kink Gap FC a good value?
The Kink Gap FC scored a 7.66 in the value score. It’s a decent score but not the best. The price is just so high for a bike without full chromoly. It’s sad because there are full chromoly bikes for a little bit more money.
You can spend a little bit more and get the better quality Kink Whip which has a Value Factor of 13.8.
Is the Kink Gap FC a good bike?
For a brand new rider, the Kink Gap FC is a good bike. But for someone who already possesses some BMX skills, the quality is lacking. As I mentioned, you’re able to get a much better quality bike for just a little bit more money. It doesn’t mean that the Kink Gap FC is a bad bike, it just means that there are better options out there.
Riding it at street spots
Street Score: 2.89
The Kink Gap scored a 2.89 in the street section. And this is a little bit more of a street specific bike than other bikes in this price range with a cassette. A lot of street riders enjoy using a free coaster to unlock different Street tricks. With that being said the gap is not a perfect street-specific bike even thought you can ride street on it.
Is the 2022 Kink Gap FC for street riding?
I do not classify the Kink Gap as a “street specific” BMX bike. If you were to get this bike and planned to ride a lot of street, there is a big list of upgrades that you wanna do before you can consider the bike “street specific”. You will still be able to ride and cruise on the streets but to do grind tricks you need to get a bike with pegs!
Riding it at the Skatepark
Park Score: 2.31
The Kink Gap FC scored a 2.31 in park. Clearly, the bike has a ways to go before you would consider it a “park specific” bike. A lot of these lower-priced bikes are designed to ride multiple disciplines, and they are built without a focus on one specific discipline.
Is the 2022 Kink Gap FC good for riding skateparks?
No, the Kink Gap FC is not specifically good for riding skate parks. It can be done and for a beginner, who is just cruising the skate park, you don’t need a specific bike to do a lot of tricks. But if you have goals of riding a lot of skate parks you should get a bike that’s a little more park-specific.
Riding it on the dirt jumps or pump tracks
Dirt Score: 3.33
The Gap FC scored a 3.33 in the dirt section. The Geometry is “average” and does not provide that stability that you want when dirt is your focus. The freecoaster will also negatively affect how it feels when riding it on the dirt.
Check out the WTP Revolver to see a dirt-specific bike. (Check it out here)
Is the Kink Gap FC good for riding dirt jumps and pump tracks?
No, the Kink Gap FC is not good for riding dirt jumps and pump tracks. It can happen but it shouldn’t be your main focus. It bike is best for new riders who want to ride EVERYTHING.
Quality Score
Quality Score: 3.6
What about the Quality?
The Gap has a low 3.6 quality score. This is calculated because of the lower quality components that make up this bike. I love the freecoaster option, but in general, this is not a great score. A 4.0 score and below is for a brand new rider. Anyone with more skills will break it fast.
Riding a high-quality bike is important to have fun and progress safely.
The Kink Gao FC includes these features that make up its 3.6 Quality Score
- Fully sealed bearings
- “trimoly” frame
- Kink Sever (low psi) tires
Should you get the Kink Gap FC
I recommend the Kink Gap FC for a rider who REALLY wants a feecoaster and is brand new to the sport. As I said, this is the cheapest freecoaster BMX so it can be useful for someone with a low sport. Being a new rider and riding this bike means that you will not break the low-quality parts as fast as a mid-level rider would.
Common Questions
What is the Price?
The 2022 Kink Gap Freecoaster is $469.00
How Much Does it Weigh?
The 2022 Kink Gap FC weighs 26lbs and 13 oz.
Where to buy it?
You can get the Kink Gap FC from Dan’s Comp here: https://bit.ly/3APc0K2
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 Kink Gap is a popular choice because of the lower price point. Almost 100% of the time I will recommend people spend a little more and get the Kink Whip UNLESS you REALLY want a freecoaster. The Gap XL is ok for a beginner, I just don’t think the value is there with it being so close in price to a much higher quality bike.
