Should I Put Brakes on My BMX?

BMX brakes are essential for keeping you safe on your BMX. With race BMX, it is a required safety measure to have a rear brake however, with freestyle, the choice is ultimately up to you. For both freestyle and racing, BMX bike brakes are not just for stopping, but also for adjusting your speed and trying out new tricks. Moreover, in many locations, it is a requirement to have brakes if you are riding on the road.

When buying brakes, you can either buy a full BMX brake kit, or individual parts such as BMX brake pads, brake levers, and cables. BMX brakes are composed of four parts: pads, arms, springs and pivots.

The Different Types of BMX Brakes

Freestyle bikes usually come with a rear U brake, while race BMX bikes have a V brake at the rear. BMX U brakes are mounted underneath the frame, meaning they provide minimal interference with the rest of your setup. With many contemporary BMX models, U brakes have become the standard fit thanks to their durability and simple, contoured design.

Another BMX brake system is the BMX gyro brake. This brake allows the handlebars to perform a 360-degree rotation without the brake cables getting tangled up.

Do Race BMX Bikes Have Brakes?

Yes, to meet safety standards at the race track, it is a requirement that race BMX bikes have a brake. As mentioned, using a single V brake at the rear is by far the most common setup used. While race BMX will come with this brake already installed, the pads on the brake will wear down over time and need to be replaced. Swapping for a fresh brake pad will increase the bike’s braking power.

If you are looking to upgrade other parts of your BMX setup, check out our wide selection of parts including BMX Frames and Tires.