BMX brakes vary depending on the type of BMX bike you ride. Some BMX bikes require both front and rear brakes, while other only have front brakes. If you are looking to increase the safety of your ride, installing your own custom brakes is one way to improve braking speed and strength. BMX brake tips can help you stop short after a jump or skid out to avoid a nasty crash.
Better Braking
This tip will help you brake better by increasing the friction of your rims and brake pads. Rub a piece of medium grit sandpaper against both of your rims. Do not strip the surface while you are sanding the rims. Use this sandpaper on the brake pads as well, but do not wear them out. Take your bike out for a ride and test the brakes to see if their resistance has increased. If not, apply cola to the rims and brake pads to create a thin layer of stickiness that will increase resistance and friction.
BMX Slide Braking
This braking tip will help you avoid a potentially serious bike crash. Wear thick, pants such as jeans or leather pants, prior to performing this move. Ride slowly toward a pole, leaving yourself enough room to properly brake. As you approach the pole, turn your handle bars hard to the left or right, and slam on your brakes. Shift all your weight to the side you are turning toward, and "slide out" to safety. This technique should only be used if you do not have enough time to properly brake before an accident. As soon as you hit the ground, let go of the bike and get out of its way. Inky's Bicycles suggests testing all of the brake and headset bolts on your bike prior to using your BMX bike.
Endo Brake Trick
This brake trick will teach you how to lift up on the front wheel of your BMX. Ride your bike along an empty street or parking lot, and keep a consistent speed during your ride. Slam hard on your front brakes, and shift your weight to the front of the bike. At this point, your rear wheel will start to lift off the ground. Try to balance on your front wheel for as long as you can, or transition into another, more difficult trick. You can also perform this trick by running your front wheel into a curb or jamming your feet into the fork of the bike.
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