Bar Ends
Bar ends are the plugs that close off the open ends of BMX handlebars, covering the sharp tube edge, holding grips in place and protecting the bars in a crash.
4 min readBMX bike parts and anatomy. What each component does, the standards and sizes you need to know, what fits what, and how to choose between the options.
29 articles
Bar ends are the plugs that close off the open ends of BMX handlebars, covering the sharp tube edge, holding grips in place and protecting the bars in a crash.
4 min readBearings are the rings of steel balls that let a BMX bike's wheels, cranks, steering and pedals turn smoothly, built as sealed cartridges or as loose balls.
4 min readA bottom bracket is the set of bearings in the frame's shell that lets the crank spindle spin, and its standard has to match both frame and cranks.
3 min readBMX brakes are the lever, cable and brake unit that slow the bike, with the rear U-brake being the standard on freestyle bikes.
3 min readA cassette hub is a BMX rear hub whose removable driver contains a ratchet freewheel, so the wheel spins freely when the rider stops pedalling.
3 min readA BMX chain is the single-speed roller chain that links the sprocket to the rear driver, carrying pedalling force from the cranks to the back wheel.
3 min readChromoly (4130) and hi-ten are the two steels used for BMX frames and parts: chromoly is stronger and lighter for the job, while hi-ten is cheaper and heavier.
4 min readCranks are the two arms that connect the pedals to the bottom bracket spindle, turning a rider's leg power into rotation of the sprocket and chain.
3 min readDropouts are the slotted plates at the back of a BMX frame and the tips of the fork that hold the wheel axles, and their slot size sets which hubs will fit.
4 min readA BMX fork holds the front wheel and steers the bike, with offset, steerer size and dropout width setting how it fits and handles.
3 min readFrame geometry is the set of measurements, such as top tube length, head tube angle and chainstay length, that decides how a BMX frame fits and rides.
4 min readA freecoaster hub is a BMX rear hub with a clutch that lets the wheel roll backwards without turning the cranks, unlike a standard cassette hub.
3 min readA front hub is the centre of a BMX front wheel, holding the axle and bearings that let the wheel spin inside the fork dropouts.
3 min readBMX grips are the rubber or foam sleeves on the handlebar ends that give the rider's hands traction, cushioning and a place to hold on.
3 min readA gyro detangler is a rotating cable device at the headset that lets BMX handlebars spin freely without wrapping the rear brake cable around the frame.
3 min readBMX handlebars are the tall, swept chromoly bars that steer the bike and take the rider's weight, defined by their rise, width, sweep and clamp diameter.
4 min readA BMX headset is the bearing set inside the head tube that lets the fork and handlebars turn smoothly, and most modern bikes use an integrated 45 x 45 design.
3 min readHub guards are protective covers that fit over BMX axle ends and hub bodies to shield them from damage during grinds and landings.
3 min readBMX pedals are the platforms that thread into the crank arms and give the rider's feet a grippy surface to push, jump and balance on.
3 min readPegs are cylindrical metal or plastic tubes bolted to the axle of a BMX wheel so a rider can stand on them or grind along ledges and rails.
3 min readBMX protective gear is the equipment riders wear to reduce injury, including helmets, knee and shin pads, gloves, shoes and mouthguards, chosen by discipline.
5 min readA rim is the circular aluminium hoop of a BMX wheel that holds the tyre and is laced to the hub by spokes, taking the impact of landings and grinds.
3 min readA BMX seat and seatpost form the small saddle assembly that clamps into the frame's seat tube, and many street riders run it slammed low or removed.
3 min readA seat clamp is the BMX hardware that holds the saddle in place: the collar that locks the seatpost in the frame and the mount that fixes the seat to the post.
4 min readSpokes are the thin steel rods that join a BMX hub to its rim, held under tension by nipples, and their count, gauge and lacing set how strong a wheel is.
5 min readA sprocket is the toothed ring on a BMX crank that drives the chain, and its tooth count sets the gear ratio when paired with the rear driver.
3 min readA sprocket guard is a ring or plate that shields the teeth of a BMX sprocket so it slides over ledges and rails in grinds without the teeth or chain catching.
4 min readA BMX stem is the clamp that joins the handlebars to the fork steerer, with its reach and height setting where the bars sit.
3 min readBMX tyres are the rubber tyres that fit 20 inch wheels, usually 2.1 to 2.5 inches wide, and are the only part of the bike that touches the ground.
3 min read