BMX Brakes

Should I Add Brakes to My BMX?

BMX brakes are crucial for ensuring your safety on a BMX. For race BMX, a rear brake is a mandated safety component, whereas for freestyle BMX, the decision is yours to make. In both racing and freestyle disciplines, BMX bike brakes serve not only for halting but also for modulating your speed and experimenting with new tricks. Additionally, in many areas, brakes are a legal requirement when riding on roads.

When purchasing brakes, you have the option to buy a complete BMX brake kit or individual components such as BMX brake pads, brake levers, and cables. BMX brakes consist of four components: pads, arms, springs, and pivots.

The Various Types of BMX Brakes

Freestyle bikes are typically equipped with a rear U brake, whereas race BMX bikes feature a rear V brake. BMX U brakes are installed beneath the frame, minimising disruption to the rest of your setup. With many modern BMX designs, U brakes have become the standard inclusion due to their robustness and straightforward, sleek design.

Another BMX brake design is the BMX gyro brake, which enables the handlebars to rotate 360 degrees without entangling the brake cables.

Are Brakes Used on Race BMX Bikes?

Indeed, to comply with safety regulations on the race track, race BMX bikes must have a brake. As previously mentioned, a single rear V brake is the most prevalent configuration. Although race BMX bikes come with this brake pre-installed, the brake pads will eventually wear down and require replacement. Installing a new brake pad will enhance the bike's braking effectiveness.

If you wish to upgrade other components of your BMX, explore our extensive range of parts, including BMX Frames and Tyres.