BMX Term
Rail
A rail is a metal bar, either a handrail running down stairs or a flat rail at a constant height, that BMX riders grind along with their pegs.
Updated 2 min read392 words
A rail is a metal bar that riders grind along. The two main types are handrails, which run down beside stairs, and flat rails (also called flat bars), which stay at one height. Most rail tricks use pegs.
Meaning
Rails are narrow, so they need more balance than a ledge. The rider hops up, locks the pegs onto the bar and slides along it. Common rail grinds include the double peg grind, feeble grind, smith grind and icepick grind.
| Type | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rail | A level bar, often low and portable | Parks, carparks, DIY setups |
| Handrail | A sloped rail running down a set of stairs | Street spots, park stair sets |
| Kinked rail | A handrail that changes angle, often with a flat section | Street spots, contest courses |
| Round or square | The bar's profile; square rails feel different to lock onto | Both |
Handrails are a core part of street riding and some of the biggest tricks in video parts happen on them. A sloped concrete ledge beside stairs is a hubba, not a rail.
Riders often rub wax on a rail to make grinds slide faster. A rail that is sticky or rusty can stop the pegs suddenly and cause a hang-up.
Origin
Rail is an ordinary English word. Street riding took shape in the late 1980s, and handrail riding took off from around 1990 and through the 1990s. DIG credits Mat Hoffman with sliding a handrail in San Diego in 1990, a moment often cited as a turning point for BMX street riding, though "first" claims are hard to prove. Skateboarders got there a little earlier: Natas Kaupas and Mark Gonzales were skating handrails in the mid to late 1980s. See the rise of street riding.
Usage examples
- "Learn your double pegs on the flat bar before the handrail."
- "That kinked rail is a famous spot."
- "Wax the rail, it's sticking."
Safety note
Start on low flat rails, wear a helmet and pads, and check the run-out at the bottom of handrails. Many street rails are on private or public property, so ride with respect for the spot.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about Rail
What is the difference between a handrail and a flat rail?
A handrail runs down a set of stairs at an angle, so the rider grinds downhill. A flat rail, or flat bar, is level and usually low, so it is the common place to learn grinds.
Do you need pegs to ride rails?
Most rail grinds use pegs. Some tricks use the cranks, sprocket or tyre instead, but pegs are the standard tool.
Related articles
Hubba
A hubba is a long ledge that runs down beside a set of stairs, giving BMX riders a sloped edge to grind from the top of the steps to the bottom.
2 min readLedge
A ledge is a raised, flat-topped obstacle with a hard edge, usually concrete or metal, that BMX riders grind, manual and hop onto in street and park.
2 min readWax
Wax is a block of candle wax or skate wax that BMX riders rub on ledges, coping and rails so their pegs slide further and faster during grinds.
1 min readHang-up
A hang-up in BMX is when the rear wheel, peg or pedal catches on the coping or lip of a ramp during a trick, stopping the bike and often causing a crash.
2 min readDouble peg grind
A double peg grind is a BMX grind where the rider slides both the front and rear pegs along the same side of a ledge, rail or coping.
4 min readFeeble grind
A feeble grind is a BMX grind where the rider slides the rear peg along a ledge or rail while the front wheel rolls along the top of the obstacle.
3 min read