Bar Ends

Bar ends are the plugs that close off the open ends of BMX handlebars. They cover the sharp edge of the tube, help hold the grips in place and protect the bars and grips when the bike is dropped or crashed. On a BMX, "bar ends" means these plugs, not the bolt-on extensions some mountain bikes use.

What it does

A handlebar is a hollow steel tube. Without a plug, its end is a ring of thin metal. If a rider falls onto it, that ring can act like a punch and cause a deep cut or a serious internal injury. Handlebar injuries are a known cause of abdominal injuries in children's bike crashes, and a 2024 simulation study from TU Graz found that a damaged or exposed bar end carried the highest injury risk, while wider, softer ends reduced it. A plug spreads the force over a wider, rounded surface.

Bar ends also do several everyday jobs:

• Grip protection. When the bike is dropped, the bar end hits the ground first. The plug takes the scrape instead of the grip end.
• Grip retention. A plug with a flange over the grip end helps stop slide-on grips from creeping off.
• Bar protection. A plug helps stop the bar end from denting or flattening when the bike lands on its side in a bail, such as a missed tailwhip or barspin.
• Keeping dirt out. It stops mud, water and grit from getting inside the bars.

Types and standards

Type	How it fits	Notes
Push-in plug	Friction fit, pressed into the bar end	Cheapest. Can work loose or fall out if the bar is a little large inside.
Expanding plug	A bolt pulls a wedge or squeezes a rubber or nylon core so it grips the inside of the bar	Holds tight across a range of bar sizes. The common aftermarket type.
Alloy capped plug	An expanding plug with an aluminium outer cap	Tough and long lasting. The cap shows off colour or a logo.
Grip-matched plug	Supplied with a set of grips	Made to suit that grip's end. Some sit flush, others have a flange over the grip.

Grips and bar ends together

Bar ends work with the grip, so grip choice matters:

• Flanged grips have a raised ring at the inner end, next to the stem. The flange protects the hand and gives a clear hold position. It does not change how the bar end fits.
• Flangeless grips are a plain tube and are popular with riders who spin the bars a lot.
• Grip end design. Some grips have a thick, closed or reinforced end that the plug sits inside. Others are open, and the plug alone forms the end of the bar.
• Lock-on grips use clamps instead of friction. Their end caps usually come with the grip and are part of the system.

Racing rules

BMX racing rule books require the bar ends to be closed off. The UCI rules (which AusCycling follows for BMX equipment) say grips are mandatory and must completely cover the ends of the handlebars, and the USA BMX rulebook says grips must cover or enclose the whole opening. Grips with closed ends or fitted plugs meet this, and officials can check bikes before racing. Check the current rules of your club or national body.

Sizing and compatibility

BMX bars are almost always 22.2 mm (7/8 inch) across the grip section, even oversized 25.4 mm bars. The inside diameter is what matters for a bar end, and it depends on the tube's wall thickness. Thick-walled chromoly bars have a smaller inside diameter than thinner-walled bars.

1. Expanding plugs cope with most of this range, which is why they are popular.
2. Push-in plugs are sized for a particular inside diameter. If one is loose, try another brand or switch to an expanding type.
3. Cut-down bars. If you cut your bars narrower, deburr the inside edge so the plug seats properly.
4. Grip length. Very long grips or thick grip ends can leave little room for the plug flange. Check that the plug sits fully home.

Materials

Material	Pros	Cons
Plastic (nylon)	Light, cheap, slides on concrete, easy to replace	Wears through faster. Can crack when hit hard.
Aluminium alloy	Durable, holds the grip end firmly, looks clean	Heavier. Can mark walls and floors. Sharp if it wears or splits.
Rubber core	Expands to grip the bar	Usually paired with a plastic or alloy cap.

How to choose

1. Make sure every bike has plugs fitted. This matters more than the type.
2. Choose an expanding plug if push-in plugs keep falling out of your bars.
3. Pick plastic for low cost and easy replacement. Pick alloy if you wear through plastic plugs quickly.
4. If you buy new grips, check whether plugs are included and whether they suit your bars.
5. For a child's bike, use a plug that covers the whole bar end and sits flush or proud of the grip.

Maintenance

• Check the plugs before each ride. A missing plug leaves a sharp edge, as noted in the grips guide.
• Replace a plug that has worn through to the bar, cracked or split.
• Re-tighten expanding plugs if they start to turn.
• When you change grips, check the bar end for burrs and clean out dirt.
• Do not over-tighten expanding plugs in thin bars. Snug is enough.
• Add bar end checks to your routine from BMX maintenance basics and how to set up a new BMX.

Bar ends are a small part of staying safe. For the gear that protects the rider directly, see protective gear.

Related parts

Handlebars, grips, stem and protective gear.