1. Making Your Bike Safe
Because BMX riding is such a physically demanding sport, BMX riders are at risk for a variety of injuries. Riders can injure their head, spine or abdomen if they fall; arms, legs, ankles and wrists can all sustain damage from overuse, stress and overextension. Protective gear can help, but you can also add safety features to your BMX bike to help avoid injury. If you pick BMX grips to prevent injury, your ride will be safer and you will stay injury-free.
2. Getting Good Grips
BMX grips can usually be added right over the regular handlebars of your bike. BMX grips are made of rubber that has a tread pattern or texture that makes it easy to grip and hold onto firmly. Some grips have raised bumps or ridges while others have treads set into them. Grips will all feel different, so try different textures until you find one that feels right. Check the grips before you install them on the handlebars to make sure they fit snugly. Grips shouldn't slide or spin on the handlebars; if they do, replace them with smaller or close-fitting grips.
3. In the Palm of Your Hand
Use ergonomic grips on your handlebars to give yourself a firm, steady grip when you ride. Ergonomic grips are specially shaped to conform to the basic contours of the hand. This will help you hold onto the grip firmly when you ride and execute jumps or tricks. Ergonomic grips are made with foam padding that, in addition to conforming to your hand to give you a better grip, also helps absorb the impact of jumps to protect your wrists.
4. Work Together
Make your BMX grips and gloves work together so you'll be safe when you ride. Wear gloves with texturized rubber grips on the palms and fingers. Your gloves should wrap tightly around the bike grips. This lets you hold onto the rubber BMX grips on your bike more securely. If your gloves and bike grips are both textured rubber and have gripping treads, they will connect solidly together and your hands will be much less likely to slip when you ride.
5. In the Wind and Rain
Choose water resistant grips for your BMX bike. Grips made from water resistant material will still be easy to hold onto even if your hands start to sweat, you get splashed by a puddle or you encounter an unexpected rain shower. Regular grips could become slippery and hard to hold if they get wet, but water resistant grips cause the water to bead up and fall off, giving you more control over the bike in adverse conditions.
