Look for a little sprocket in front, approximately 25-30 t. Anything larger than that will very certainly be hefty, difficult to manage, and out of date. Many BMX bikes do not come with brakes at all, however if you're just getting started, we recommend riding with at least a back brake. They are easy to learn on and use, and provide much-needed braking ability when needed. A lot of people think that the more components on a bicycle the better it is, but actually only the bigger wheel size matters most. More parts mean more maintenance and less reliability over time. However, more parts also mean more choice! If you want to change things around a bit then by all means go for it. Just make sure you know what you're doing first. The best way to start looking at bicycles is to try one out for yourself. Go to a local shop and see what looks good. Maybe even bring along some ideas from websites such as this one. Once you find something you like, ask the staff there what kind it is. Most likely they will tell you something like "it's a hybrid" or "it's a single speed". That's okay - those are both good categories to fall into! After you've found something you like, ask them how much it costs. If they say $10-$20 then you're in business.