The Gap is a $449 BMX that comes in a 20.5″ toptube and a 21″ XL toptube. The bike is aimed at a beginner rider who is starting to progress to a mid-level. The problem is that this bike is priced so closely to a much better quality bike. You’d be silly to go with the Gap over this other bike.
Check out the most recent price of the Gap by clicking here.
Here’s how it stacks up against my TOP 5 Picks…
2022 Kink Gap Important Information
| Make/Model | Quality Score | Street, Park, or Dirt? | Skill Level | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kink Gap | 3.6 | Dirt | 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
The 2022 Kink Gap BMX Bike is a screaming deal for the price. Maintenance is kept low and strength is kept high with the sealed headset, bottom bracket, and rear cassette wheel as well as the aftermarket components included in this build. The Kink Plymouth stealth pivotal seat, Kink Ridge 3-piece cranks, and Mission Cease V2 brakes assert a modern design that uses the same parts that other riders are upgrading to. The Kink Gap is a great choice for any rider looking for their next bike.
from: Dan’s Comp
Highlights
- 20.5″|21″ Toptube
- Trimoly Frame
- 26 lbs 13 oz
Specs
Price
The 2022 Kink Gap costs $449.99.
Colors
- HAZY ORANGE (20.5″)
- MATTE BLACK PATINA (20.5″)
- MATTE SPOTLIGHT PURPLE (21″)
- WOODSMEN GREEN (21″)
2022 Kink Gap 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 Engage Sealed Cassette (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″|21″ – 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
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: 8.00
Is the Kink Gap a good value?
The Kink Gap scored an 8 in value. This is a fairly low score compared to other options. The bike is almost $500 and does not have a full chromoly frame. I’m a little disappointed but there is a better option.
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 a good bike?
For a brand new rider, the Kink Gap 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: 2.22
The Kink Gap scored a 2.22 in the street section. A lot of street riders enjoy using a free coaster to unlock different Street tricks, and this version has a cassette. With that being said the gap is not a perfect street-specific bike even though you can ride street on it.
Is the 2022 Kink Gap 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 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 good for riding skateparks?
No, the Kink Gap is not specifically good for riding skate parks. It can be done at a beginner level. 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: 3.83
The Gap scored a 3.83 in the dirt section. The Geometry is “average” and does not provide that stability that you want when riding dirt is your focus. This is an average dirt score, but nothing special.
Check out the WTP Revolver to see a dirt-specific bike. (Check it out here)
Is the Kink Gap good for riding dirt jumps and pump tracks?
You can ride dirt jumps and pump tracks on the Kink Gap. However, it should not be your first pick. This bike is good if you ride a little bit of 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 Gap 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
If you have a really strict budget, get the Gap. But I will always suggest that people spend a little bit more to get the Kink Whip since you get soooo much more quality for just a little bit more money. When compared to other $449 bikes, the Gap stands out still but you’d be silly to NOT get the Whip.
Common Questions
What is the Price?
The 2022 Kink Gap is $449.00
How Much Does it Weigh?
The 2022 Kink Gap weighs 26lbs and 13 oz.
Where to buy it?
You can get the Kink Gap 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
A lot of people get really excited for the Kink Gap until they realize that it’s a little overpriced. Personally, I think that this is too much for a trimoly frame. The only time the Kink Gap is recommended by me is when someone wants an affordable freecoaster bike. The normal Gap version is rarely recommended by me.
