Welcome to my Cult Gateway BMX Bike review, my dude!
The Gateway sits in that sweet beginner-friendly zone that actually makes sense.
It’s not the cheapest complete BMX bike out there. But it’s also not some high-end, custom-level build that costs a fortune and scares new riders away.
And that’s exactly why I like it.
For a newer rider who wants something better than a toy-store bike, the Cult Gateway has enough proper BMX parts to feel like a solid first “real” BMX.
You get a 20.5” top tube, chromoly front triangle, heat-treated chromoly 3-piece cranks, sealed hubs, sealed mid bottom bracket, Cult Match rims and 2.40” Innova tires.
That’s a pretty good start.
Would I call it perfect?
Nope.
There are a few parts I’d consider upgrading later, especially if you start riding harder and progressing quickly.
But as a first proper BMX bike from a legit brand, the Gateway has a lot going for it.
And yes, I do recommend it!
This post covers:
- Cult Gateway BMX Bike Review – 2027 Version
- What Makes The Cult Gateway A Good Beginner BMX Bike
- Gateway’s Frame & Geometry
- Gateway’s Parts Breakdown
- How The Cult Gateway BMX Feels To Ride
- What I Like About The Cult Gateway BMX Bike
- What I’d Improve (Cons)
- Cult Gateway Bike Specs, Weight & Price
- Who Should Buy The Cult Gateway?
- Who Should Skip It?
- Conclusion: Should You Get The Cult Gateway BMX Bike?
- FAQs About The Cult Gateway BMX Bike
Cult Gateway BMX Bike Review – 2027 Version
1. What Makes The Cult Gateway A Good Beginner BMX Bike
The Cult Gateway BMX bike is for riders who want to get into freestyle BMX without going all-in on a much more expensive complete.
I don’t recommend that beginners start with a high-end bike; it’s unnecessary.
Gateway is a solid pick for new BMX shredders, younger or lighter riders, and anyone who wants a proper Cult complete.
The 20.5” top tube length is a nice middle-ground size.
It’s not tiny, but it’s not stretched out either. For many newer riders, that makes the bike easier to control while still giving enough room to move around.
And, of course, it has that clean Cult look.
Cult always does a good job with its complete bikes visually, and the Gateway keeps that simple, dialed vibe.
Nothing too loud. Nothing too weird.
But the main reason the Gateway makes sense for beginners is the parts package.
You get a chromoly front triangle, which is a big plus over a full hi-ten steel beginner bike.
Chromoly is stronger and better suited for BMX abuse, especially in the front end, where a lot of pressure goes when you’re hopping, landing, pulling up, and learning tricks.
Note: Read my guide on chromoly vs high-tensile steel BMX for more info.
The fork also has a chromoly steerer tube, which is another smart detail.
Again, not full chromoly throughout, but Cult did use stronger material in key areas. And at this price, that matters.
What’s a BIG PLUS is the sealed bearings throughout – bottom bracket, headset, hubs.
Sealed bearings feel smoother and need way less attention than loose-ball bearings.
For a newer rider, that’s great because you can spend more time riding and less time wondering why your bike feels crunchy.
Nobody needs that drama on day three.
The heat-treated chromoly 3-piece cranks are another win.
They’re much better than cheap 1-piece cranks and give the bike a more legit BMX feel from the start. I’d stay away from bikes with one-piece cranks!
Then you have the 2.40” Innova tires, which give the bike a stable feel and plenty of grip for street, park and general cruising. Trails and pump tracks? Why not!
And yes, the Gateway also comes with a 990 U-brake, which is useful if you’re just getting started.
Brakeless riding looks clean, but having a brake when you’re learning manuals, fakies, hops and basic park lines makes a lot of sense.
Pro tip: Do not start riding BMX brakeless! That comes later (or maybe never).
The Cult Gateway has the right kind of parts in the right places.
That’s what makes it a much better option than grabbing some random cheap BMX and hoping it survives.
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!2. Gateway’s Frame & Geometry
The Cult Gateway frame comes with a 20.5” top tube, which is great for a variety of riders.
- It’s not super short and twitchy.
- But it’s also not too long and lazy.
For many newer riders, especially if you’re not super tall, 20.5” makes a lot of sense.
You get enough room to move without the bike feeling oversized. This can help a lot when you’re learning the basics, like bunny hops, manuals, 180s and fakies.
Note: I’m 5’11”, and I actually started riding BMX with a 20.5″. It was much later when I started riding longer frames.
The Gateway also has a 75° head tube angle, which is a comfortable, classic freestyle BMX angle.
It’s responsive enough for learning tricks, but it doesn’t feel overly steep or nervous.
And that’s exactly what newer riders need.
You want the bike to react, but you don’t want it to feel like it’s trying to throw you over the bars every two seconds. Been there? Not fun.
The current Gateway geometry also has a 13.25” chainstay length, which gives the bike a more modern feel.
It’s short enough to help with hops, manuals and getting the front end up easier, but it’s not crazy short.
Pro tip: As a beginner, don’t opt for a super short chainstay. It won’t feel right, plus, future upgrades might not feel as helpful as they should.
Moreover, the 11.8” bottom bracket height is also pretty sweet.
It’s a little higher than some BMX bikes, which can make the Gateway feel easier to move around. The bike won’t feel as grounded or sluggish, which is helpful when you’re learning to lift, hop and spin it.
So, geometry-wise, the Gateway is beginner-friendly without feeling boring.
The only thing I’d keep in mind is rider height.
If you’re a taller rider, the 20.5” top tube may start feeling small after a while.
In that case, I’d look at something with a 20.75” or 21” top tube instead.
My recommendation: Check the Kink Whip BMX bike. (It’s also full chromoly!)
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!3. Gateway’s Parts Breakdown
The Cult Gateway BMX bike has a pretty solid parts package for the price.
3.1. Cranks, Sprocket & Drivetrain
The Gateway comes with heat-treated chromoly 3-piece cranks in 170mm length, a 25T sprocket, a 9T rear cog and a Cult 410 chain.
The 170mm crank length is a nice all-around size.
Not too long. Not too short.
And because these are 3-piece chromoly cranks, they’re already much better than the cheap 1-piece cranks you still see on some low-end beginner bikes.
The 25/9 gearing is also the standard modern BMX setup, so the bike will feel normal if you’re riding street, park or just cruising to spots. It’s the BMX gear ratio that I ride.
The only part I’d keep an eye on is the Cult 410 chain. A half link BMX chain would be much better.
3.2. Wheels & Tires
The Gateway rolls on Cult Match rims, with sealed front and rear hubs.
This is one of the better things about the bike.
Sealed hubs feel smoother and are easier to live with than loose-ball hubs.
Less messing around. More riding. That’s always a win.
For tires, the current Gateway rocks 2.40” Innova tires.
Note: Past versions had Cult X Vans tires, so it’s interesting to see Cult switch to Innova tires. However, the Orange version seems to still rock the Cult X Vans tires. This is slightly confusing, but either way, you get solid rubber.
I’m actually testing these same tires right now, and they feel super nice!
And when it comes to rims, I highly recommend you keep them true all the time because they are single wall. Also, try not to smash them into curbs or copings too hard because they are more prone to bending.
3.3. Bars, Stem & Cockpit
Up front, the Gateway comes with 9” 2-piece bars, Crew grips, a top load stem and an integrated headset.
I like the 9” bar height for this kind of bike.
It’s modern, comfortable and gives newer riders a good position for pulling up into hops and manuals. Super low bars can feel weird when you’re learning, so I’m glad Cult didn’t go that route here.
The top load stem also helps keep the front end feeling a little taller, which is great for a beginner-friendly BMX bike.
One honest note: the bars regular hi-ten bars. That’s fine for starting out, but if you start sending bigger drops, riding hard street or progressing fast, get full chromoly bars. You’ll thank yourself later.
3.4. Brakes & Seat
The Gateway comes with a 990 U-brake and a 1-piece seat and seat post combo.
I know brakeless looks cleaner.
But for new riders, having a brake makes a lot of sense. It gives you more control when learning fakies, manuals, flyouts, park lines and just riding around town.
You’ll learn to control the bike more easily and quickly than by going straight to brakeless riding.
You can always remove it later if that’s your thing.
The seat is pretty basic, but that’s expected on a complete BMX at this level.
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!4. How The Cult Gateway BMX Feels To Ride
The Cult Gateway BMX should feel pretty easy to get used to, especially if you’re newer to freestyle BMX.
That’s what I like about this type of complete.
It’s responsive enough to make learning tricks fun, but it shouldn’t feel too twitchy or scary.
The 20.5” top tube, 75° head tube angle and 13.25” chainstay give it a nice balance between control and playfulness.
This is the kind of bike that makes sense for learning beginner BMX tricks properly.
I’m talking about:
- bunny hops
- manuals
- 180s
- fakies
- small ledges
- skatepark basics
- cruising around and getting comfortable on a BMX
The shorter rear end should help you get the front end up more easily, which is always nice for bunny hops and manuals.
But because it’s not crazy short, the Gateway should still feel stable enough when you’re rolling around, pumping transitions or just figuring out your bike control.
And that’s important.
A beginner BMX bike shouldn’t feel like it’s fighting you.
The Gateway gives you enough response to progress, without feeling like a tiny, nervous street machine that wants to loop out every time you pull up.
It gives riders a solid BMX base, a clean Cult look, and enough decent parts to build confidence as they learn tricks.
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!5. What I Like About The Cult Gateway BMX Bike (Pros)
- Clean Cult look: Cult knows how to make complete bikes look good, and the Gateway has that simple, dialed style without trying too hard.
- 20.5” top tube: This is a solid foundation size for many new riders.
- Sealed hubs: Having sealed front and rear hubs is a big plus at this level. Smoother rolling, less maintenance, fewer weird noises.
- Sealed mid bottom bracket: Another nice detail that helps the bike feel better and last longer.
- 3-piece chromoly cranks: The 170mm heat-treated chromoly cranks are a solid part for a beginner-friendly BMX.
- Good price for what you get: It’s not the cheapest complete BMX, but the parts package makes sense for the money.
- Better foundation than many cheaper beginner BMX bikes: The Gateway gives you a much better starting point than a random low-end BMX that looks cool but cuts too many corners.
6. What I’d Improve (Cons)
- A full chromoly frame would be better: The Gateway has a chromoly front triangle, which is great at this price. But full chromoly would make it stronger overall. Of course, that would also push the price up, so I get why Cult didn’t go all-in here.
- The hi-ten bars are fine, but not amazing: For learning basics, they’ll do the job. But if you start sending it harder, I’d upgrade to chromoly bars.
- Taller riders may outgrow the 20.5” top tube: The 20.5” TT is awesome for many riders, but taller dudes may want more room. If you’re already on the taller side, I’d look into a 20.75” or 21” top tube instead.
7. Cult Gateway Bike Specs, Weight & Price
- Frame: Chromoly front triangle, 20.5″ top tube
- Fork: Chromoly steerer tube
- Handlebar: Hi-tensile steel (9″ rise, 30″ width)
- Stem: Cult top load stem
- Headset: Sealed integrated headset, 1-1/8″
- Brake lever: Alloy
- Brakes: 990 U-brake
- Grips: Cult Crew grips
- Seat: Cult combo 1-piece seat/seat post
- Seat clamp: Bolt on seat clamp
- Sprocket: 25T sprocket
- Cranks: 3-piece chromoly cranks (170mm)
- Bottom bracket: Sealed mid bottom bracket
- Pedals: Cult plastic pedals
- Rims: Cult Match rims (single wall)
- Front hub: Sealed front hub
- Rear hub: Sealed cassette hub, 9T driver
- Tires: Innova tires, 2.4″ (front & rear)
- Chain: Cult 410 chain
- Color: Matte orange, black, matte clear raw
- Weight: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)
- Price: $469.99
8. Who Should Buy The Cult Gateway?
- New riders who want their first real BMX: If you’re moving past cheap beginner bikes and want something that feels like BMX, this is a nice step.
- Riders who want to learn freestyle without overspending: The Gateway gives you a fantastic base without forcing you into the higher-end Cult complete range right away.
- Street and park beginners: If you’ll mostly ride skateparks, driveway setups, curbs, school spots, small ledges and mellow street, this bike fits that style really well.
- Parents buying a quality first BMX for a teen: This is a much better option than a random low-end bike.
- Cult fans on a tighter budget: If you like the Cult vibe but don’t want to spend more on one of their higher-end completes yet, the Gateway gets you in the door nicely.
9. Who Should Skip It?
- A heavier or more aggressive rider: If you’re already sending drops, rails, gaps or heavier street lines, I’d look for something with a full chromoly frame, fork and bars.
- A taller rider who needs more room: If you already know you prefer more space, go with a 21”+ top tube. (Or at least 20.75″.)
- Someone who wants full chromoly everything: The Gateway has chromoly in important areas, which is great for the price. But if you want a full chromoly frame, fork and bars from day one, I recommend getting the Kink Whip bike.
- A rider who already knows they’ll ride hard street every session: For learning and mellow-to-medium riding, the Gateway is great. But if your goal is to abuse the bike hard right away, I’d move up to a stronger complete.
Conclusion: Should You Get The Cult Gateway BMX Bike?
Yes, I’d recommend the Cult Gateway BMX bike for new riders who want a clean, dependable first proper BMX.
The Gateway is best for beginner freestyle, casual street riding, skatepark basics and learning tricks without spending a fortune.
You get a solid starting point from a legit BMX brand, with enough proper parts to help you progress with more confidence.
Would I upgrade anything?
Eventually, yes.
If the rider starts progressing fast, I’d look into upgrading the bars, chain and wheels later.
Not immediately.
But those would be on my list once the bike starts seeing more abuse.
Still, as a first real BMX, the Gateway gets a big thumbs up from me.
It is a bike definitely worth checking out.
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!FAQs About The Cult Gateway BMX Bike
Is the Cult Gateway BMX bike good for beginners?
Yes, the Cult Gateway BMX bike is a good beginner BMX bike.
It has a solid mix of beginner-friendly geometry, sealed bearings, 3-piece chromoly cranks and a clean Cult look.
What size is the Cult Gateway BMX bike?
The Cult Gateway comes with a 20.5” top tube.
That size works well for many newer riders, especially younger riders, lighter riders and riders who are not super tall.
Is the Cult Gateway full chromoly?
No, the Cult Gateway is not full chromoly.
It has a chromoly front triangle, chromoly cranks and a chromoly fork steerer tube, which is still a nice upgrade over a full hi-ten beginner bike.
Does the Cult Gateway have sealed bearings?
Yes, the Cult Gateway has sealed bearings throughout.
It comes with a sealed mid bottom bracket, sealed hubs and a sealed headset.
Can adults ride the Cult Gateway?
Yes, adults can ride the Cult Gateway, but size (and weight) matters.
Because it has a 20.5” top tube, it will fit shorter or average-height adults better than taller riders. And because it’s not full chromoly, I don’t recommend it to heavier riders.
Is the Cult Gateway good for street riding?
Yes, the Cult Gateway is good for beginner street riding.
It’s great for learning hops, manuals, fakies, 180s, curb tricks, small ledges and mellow street riding.
Is the Cult Gateway good for skateparks?
Yes, the Cult Gateway works well for skatepark basics.
The 20.5” top tube, 75° head tube angle and 13.25” chainstay give it a nice beginner-friendly feel for learning ramps, flyouts, fakies, airs and basic lines.
What should I upgrade first on the Cult Gateway?
If you start progressing fast, I’d first look at upgrading the bars, chain, forks and wheels.
Is the Cult Gateway worth the money?
Yes, the Cult Gateway is worth the money for the right rider.
It’s a solid first real BMX for beginners who want a clean, dependable bike from a respected BMX brand.
GET YOUR CULT GATEWAY BIKE NOW!Check out my other beginner-friendly BMX bike recommendations:
