BMX Term
Bonk
A bonk in BMX is a quick tap of an obstacle with a wheel, tyre or peg, often used mid-air to push off or add style to a trick.
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A bonk is a quick tap of an obstacle with a wheel, tyre or peg, usually in the air. Riders bonk walls, poles, ledges or trees to push off, turn or add style to a line. The word can also describe an unplanned touch that breaks the rider's flow.
Meaning
There are two common meanings.
- A deliberate tap. The rider rides at a wall or object, touches it with the front tyre, rear tyre or a peg and leaves. The tap can change the bike's direction, shorten a gap or simply look good.
- An accidental touch. A rider clips a wall, rail or ledge with a wheel or peg mid-trick and loses speed or balance.
The first type is a skill. The rider chooses the object, keeps balance through the contact and lands the next trick. A good bonk looks effortless and links a line together.
The second type is closer to a mistake. It is often followed by a bail, or it turns a clean run into something sketchy.
Origin and usage
Bonk is an informal word for a light knock. The same word is used in skateboarding for tapping an obstacle. The origin in BMX is not documented. In road cycling, bonk means running out of energy, which is an unrelated meaning.
Bonks are common in street riding, where walls, poles and other features offer places to tap. In parks, riders bonk the top of a quarter pipe or a ramp lip as part of a trick. A wallride is a longer contact with the wall, while a bonk is brief.
Pegs matter. A rider with pegs can bonk with them, while a pegless rider relies on the tyre and frame.
Examples
- "He bonked the wall, turned and rode straight into the next ledge."
- "I bonked my peg on the ramp and lost all my speed."
- "That bonk off the pole was the best part of the line."
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about Bonk
Is a bonk planned or an accident?
Both. A bonk can be a deliberate tap to change direction or add style. Riders also use the word for accidental touches of a wall or ledge that slow them down.
How is a bonk different from a wallride?
A bonk is a brief tap and the rider leaves the surface immediately. A wallride keeps the wheels on the wall for longer and the rider rides along it.
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