BMX Term
Pegless
Pegless means riding a BMX bike with no pegs fitted, a common setup in dirt, park and some street riding that favours air tricks over grinds.
Updated 2 min read348 words
Pegless means riding a BMX bike without pegs. The axle nuts are left bare or fitted with caps, and the rider does not grind on the sides of the wheels. It is common in dirt, park and some street riding.
Meaning
Pegs are the metal tubes that bolt to the axles. They are used to grind ledges and rails, stall on ramps and stand on for some tricks. A pegless rider leaves them off.
What it limits
- Peg grinds, such as the feeble grind, double peg grind, icepick grind and smith grind, need pegs.
- Peg stalls and some footjam style moves are gone.
- Riders have fewer ways to get on and off ledges and rails.
What it enables
- A lighter bike.
- Fewer scraped shins and no peg to catch a ramp, which can help avoid a hang-up.
- More focus on air, flow and bike control tricks such as tabletops, no-handers and flairs.
- A cleaner look.
Some riders go pegless for a session or a filming project, then add pegs again for street. Others keep a pegless bike for dirt and a pegged bike for street.
Origin and usage
BMX bikes were ridden without pegs from the earliest days, and pegs became common as freestyle and street tricks developed. Pegless is a deliberate choice of setup rather than a new invention, and no single rider is credited with it.
Pegless is closely tied to dirt jumping and park riding, where the focus is on air and transitions. It is often paired with a brakeless setup for a very simple bike.
Riders who go pegless can still grind with pedals, the frame or tyres, but the range of tricks is smaller than on a bike with pegs.
Examples
- "I took my pegs off for the trails. The bike feels so light."
- "He rides pegless but can still grind the ledge with his pedal."
- "No pegs means no feeble grinds, but I don't mind."
Related terms
- Pegs: the part removed.
- Brakeless: another stripped back setup.
- Dirt jumping and park: where pegless is common.
- Hang-up: a crash cause pegs can add to.
Frequently asked questions about Pegless
Why do some BMX riders ride pegless?
Pegless bikes are lighter, safer for the shins and suit air tricks and jumps. Riders who focus on dirt, park or flow often do not need pegs for what they ride.
What tricks can you not do pegless?
Peg grinds and stalls, such as feeble grinds, double peg grinds and icepicks, need pegs. Pegless riders can still use pedals, tyres and frames, but the options are fewer.
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