BMX Trick
Pedal grind
A pedal grind is a BMX trick where the rider slides the underside of a pedal along a ledge, rail or ramp coping, with the rider's foot staying on that pedal.
Updated 3 min read762 words
A pedal grind is a BMX trick where the rider slides the underside of a pedal along a ledge, rail or ramp coping, with the rider's foot staying on that pedal to hold it steady. When the pedal sits on the edge without sliding, the move is called a pedal stall. It is a grind that needs no pegs, which makes it a favourite with pegless riders.
Overview
On a pedal grind, the bike is tilted so the lower pedal reaches the edge. The pedal's underside, or its outer edge, takes the grind. The rider's foot stays on top and keeps the pedal flat, because a loose pedal spins on its axle and stops the grind.
You will see pedal grinds in two places:
- Ramps and bowls. The rider rides up a quarter pipe at an angle, gets the pedal on the coping, grinds or stalls, then turns back in. This is the classic vert and park version.
- Street. The rider hops onto a ledge or low rail and grinds on the pedal, often with one wheel on top of the obstacle, then hops off.
How to do it (pedal stall on a quarter pipe)
The stall is the easiest way in. Learn it first, then add speed to turn it into a grind.
- Choose the side. Decide which pedal will touch. It is usually the one on the side that faces the coping as you ride up at an angle.
- Set the cranks. As you ride up, drop the grinding pedal down so its crank points toward the coping. Keep your foot firmly on it.
- Ride up at an angle. Come up the transition at a gentle angle to the coping, with moderate speed.
- Lean the bike in. Near the top, lean the bike toward the coping so the pedal lands on it. The front wheel usually goes over the deck while the back wheel stays on the ramp side.
- Stall. Hold the pedal on the coping for a moment. Keep your weight centred over it.
- Turn back in. Lift the front, turn the bars and drop back into the ramp. Land on the transition and ride out.
To make it a grind, add a little more speed along the coping and let the pedal slide before you turn back in.
On a ledge
Approach at a shallow angle, set the grinding pedal low on the ledge side, hop up and lean so the pedal meets the edge. Keep the bars pointed along the ledge, then hop off near the end. A waxed edge helps a lot. See wax.
Pedals for grinding
| Pedal type | Grind feel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic (nylon or composite) | Smooth, slides easily | Cheap to replace, wears down with use |
| Alloy with pins | Grabby | Pins catch the edge, can damage coping and ledges |
| Worn plastic | Very smooth | Less grip for your foot, check it is still safe |
Pedal grinds wear pedals fast. Check the pedal body and the axle regularly, and replace a pedal that is cracked, bent or loose on the crank.
Variations
- Pedal stall. No slide, just a hold on the edge.
- Long pedal grind. A longer slide along a bowl or quarter coping.
- Pedal feeble. A street version with the pedal grinding and the front wheel on top of the ledge, similar in shape to a feeble grind. Names for this vary.
- Pedal grind to fakie. Roll back in backwards instead of turning. See fakie.
- Crank or sprocket grinds. Some riders grind on the crank arm or a sprocket guard instead. These are separate tricks with their own names.
Common mistakes
- Foot off the pedal. The pedal spins and catches. Keep your foot pressed on it.
- Wrong crank position. If the grinding pedal is up, it cannot reach the edge. Set it low early.
- Coming in too straight. On a ramp, a straight line puts the wheels on the coping instead of the pedal.
- Too much lean. Leaning hard drops the bike off the edge or puts the crank on the coping.
- Pins on the coping. Sharp pins grab. Use a smoother pedal for these tricks.
History
Pedal grinds and pedal stalls were part of the 1980s ramp and vert scene, before pegs and peg grinds became common. As street riding grew and pegs took over, pedal tricks became less common, but they have stayed in park and bowl riding and returned with the rise of pegless setups. The first rider to pedal grind is not on record with any certainty. See freestyle BMX boom 1980s.
Related tricks
Frequently asked questions about Pedal grind
What is the difference between a pedal grind and a pedal stall?
A pedal grind slides the pedal along the edge. A pedal stall sets the pedal on the edge and holds still for a moment before coming back in or riding away.
Do plastic or metal pedals grind better?
Plastic (nylon or composite) pedals usually slide more smoothly and are cheaper to replace. Metal pedals with sharp pins can catch the edge, and they wear the obstacle as well as themselves.
Do I need pegs for a pedal grind?
No. That is one reason pedal grinds are popular with pegless riders. The pedal is the grinding surface.
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