WTP WeThePeople NOVA 20" Ultra Violet

WeThePeople Nova 20" Ultra Violet – beginner freestyle BMX bike

The WTP WeThePeople Nova 20" Ultra Violet freestyle BMX – a no-compromise street/park machine with a look of its own and a full set of proper parts. Those parts are Salt Rookie 3-piece Cr-Mo cranks, a cassette rear hub with a 9-tooth driver and an integrated headset on sealed bearings. The frame and fork wear a deep purple Ultra Violet finish. WeThePeople took the geometry from the bikes their team rides: a 12.75" chainstay and a fork with 26 mm offset. The Nova is the brand's entry-level model, built for riders learning their first tricks on the street and in the skatepark.

Geometry taken from the team bikes

A 12.75" chainstay is on the short side even among freestyle BMX bikes. With a shorter rear end the rider's weight sits closer over the rear axle. Manuals need less pull on the bars, and the bike balances on the back wheel for longer. The 75° head angle paired with 26 mm fork offset gives lively steering. It suits technical riding on the street and in the park rather than fast straight lines. An 11.75" bottom bracket height leaves clearance over edges when the bike rolls over an obstacle or grinds.

1020 hi-ten steel vs. Cr-Mo – where the Nova saves and where it does not

The frame, fork and handlebar are 1020 hi-ten steel. It is heavier than chromoly (4130 Cr-Mo) because thicker tube walls are needed for the same strength. In return it takes repeated landings off stairs and kerbs. Where weaker material would crack or bend, WeThePeople used Cr-Mo: the fork steerer and the cranks. The result is a complete bike weighing 11.92 kg at an entry-level price.

Cassette hub and 3-piece cranks – parts you will not need to replace straight away

The cheapest BMX bikes usually come with a freewheel screwed onto the hub and a one-piece steel crank. Both wear out fast once you start jumping. The Nova runs a Salt Nova cassette hub: the 9-tooth driver is built into the hub, and 25/9T gearing pedals well on the flat while leaving enough speed for a ramp run-in. The 14 mm rear axle is sized for pegs. The Salt Rookie cranks are 3-piece, so each arm can be replaced on its own later, and the 19 mm 8-spline spindle is a standard with spare parts from many brands.

Who the Nova with the shorter 20" top tube is for

The Nova comes in two top tube lengths: 20" and 20.5". This version has the shorter 20" top tube and fits riders of roughly 145–160 cm, typically kids and teenagers moving up from an 18" bike. A shorter frame is easier to throw around and spin, which is why smaller adults choose it for street too. The Salt Nova bars are 8.85" high and 29" wide, the Salt Pro stem has a 50 mm reach. The Saltplus Geo XL rear U-brake is operated by a Salt AM alloy lever. The bike arrives complete, including Éclat Slash pedals in glass-fibre reinforced nylon.

Full technical details are in the Specification tab of this product.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Should I choose the Nova with a 20" or a 20.5" top tube?

Rider height is the main factor. The 20" version fits roughly 145–160 cm, the 20.5" version 157–173 cm. If you are in between, go by riding style: the shorter frame spins and throws more easily on the street, the longer one is more stable at speed in the park. All other geometry and parts are identical on both versions.

Is the purple Nova technically different from the other colours?

No. The frame, geometry and all components on the Ultra Violet are the same as on the black, raw or green version of the same length. Only the frame and fork paint differ.

Can I fit pegs and a gyro to the Nova?

The rear hub has a 14 mm axle that takes standard 14 mm pegs. The front hub has a thinner 3/8" axle, which needs pegs made for 3/8" axles. The frame has holes ready for removable gyro tabs; the rotor and cables themselves are not included.

How much does the Nova weigh, and is that heavy for a freestyle BMX?

The complete bike weighs 11.92 kg. That is a normal weight for an entry-level BMX with a hi-ten steel frame. Bikes around 10–11 kg use Cr-Mo for the frame, fork and bars and sit in a higher price bracket. You can bring the weight down over time by swapping parts, such as Cr-Mo bars or lighter tyres.