BMX Brakes

Are Brakes Necessary on My BMX?

Brakes on a BMX are crucial for ensuring your safety. In race BMX, having a rear brake is a mandatory safety measure; however, in freestyle, this decision is entirely yours. For both racing and freestyle BMX bikes, brakes serve not only to stop the bike but also to modulate speed and experiment with new stunts. Furthermore, it is often legally required in numerous places to have brakes when cycling on the road.

When purchasing brakes, you can opt for a complete BMX brake kit or choose individual components such as BMX brake pads, brake levers, and cables. The construction of BMX brakes includes four components: pads, arms, springs, and pivots.

Varieties of BMX Brakes

Freestyle bikes commonly feature a rear U brake, while racing BMX bikes are equipped with a rear V brake. BMX U brakes are installed under the frame, ensuring minimal disruption to your setup. In many modern BMX designs, U brakes have become a standard choice due to their robustness and straightforward, streamlined design.

An alternative braking system for BMX is the BMX gyro brake. This system allows the handlebars to rotate 360 degrees without causing the brake cables to become entangled.

Do Racing BMX Bikes Come with Brakes?

Certainly, in order to meet the safety regulations at the racetrack, it is obligatory for race BMX bikes to have a brake. As previously stated, a single rear V brake is the most prevalent configuration in use. Although race BMX bikes come outfitted with this brake, the pads will inevitably wear down and will require replacement. Substituting with a new brake pad will enhance the bike's braking effectiveness.

If you wish to enhance other elements of your BMX setup, explore our extensive range of parts including BMX Frames and Tyres.