Jet Gladiator 24" cruiser BMX review

Full review

Cruiser BMX bikes have larger 24 inch wheels and longer frames, which give taller riders room to stretch out and make rolling over rough ground easier. The Jet Gladiator is a good example at a sensible price. Its 21.75 inch top tube is longer than any of the 20 inch bikes here, and the 170 mm cranks are also longer, so it will suit teenagers and adults who find a 20 inch bike cramped.

It uses a 25-tooth chainring with a 9-tooth cassette driver on a sealed rear hub, the same gearing logic as freestyle bikes, so it is easy to pedal around town and still lets you manage some basic tricks. The frame and fork are hi-ten steel, and the cranks are three-piece chromoly, a nice step up from the one-piece cranks on the cheaper bikes. Brakes are a rear U-brake on welded mounts, and the 2.3 inch Kenda tyres add cushioning.

The weight is 13 kg, so it is heavier than the 20 inch freestyle bikes, and you would not choose it for a technical park session. Jet does not publish a recommended rider height on the listing we checked, so use the top tube length and compare with a bike you currently ride.

For taller riders who want a BMX-style bike for relaxed riding, local ramps and getting around, it is a solid choice.