How to Set Up Your Bike for Vert Riding

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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With all the skate parks popping up across the country, it's no wonder that many skaters are getting into BMX vert riding. If you can find a ramp, follow these steps to make sure your bike is ready.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

BMX Bike Brakes
BMX Bike Forks
BMX Bike Frame
BMX Bike Gloves
BMX Bike Parts
BMX Bike Pegs
Bike Pumps
Bike Tools
BMX Bike Helmets
BMX Bikes

Step 1

Start with a good freestyle-specific frame. These usually have a reinforced, thick wall tubing end and steep angles.
Step 2

Do a quick check of the frame and everything else on the bike to be sure that nothing is cracked, bent or broken.
Step 3

Remove any pads, reflectors, chain guards or kickstands.
Step 4

Put axle pegs on the front and rear wheels and cable detanglers on the front and rear brake cables.
Step 5

Position your handlebars so they are just about straight up. You may be more comfortable with your bars a little further forward or back, but don't go too far in either direction.
Step 6

Remove old grips if they're torn or if the handlebar is showing through. Bar end caps will help protect the ends of the handlebar.
Step 7

Choose a strong wheel set. Forty-eight spokes are a must. Try to find rims with double or triple wall construction and oversized axles (14mm).
Step 8

Use tires that have a smooth tread and inflate them to the maximum air pressure. Most ramp riders run at least 100 lbs. of pressure in their tires, even though it is usually well above the recommended tire pressure. There are only a few tires rated to that pressure.
Step 9

Tighten all nuts and bolts to their specifications, including axle nuts, stem bolts, pedals, cranks, seat and seat post nuts, brakes, and headset. Always make sure your spokes are tight and the wheels are straight.
Step 10

Lubricate all moving parts, such as brake cables, brake pivot bolts and your chain.
Step 11

Put the correct amount of tension on the chain so it doesn't fall off when you're riding.
Step 12

Choose platform pedals over caged pedals.
Step 13

Use three-piece cranks instead of one-piece cranks. Most ramp riders use 175mm long crank arms.
Step 14

Adjust your seat to a height and angle that allows good mobility in front and in back.
Step 15

File down any sharp edges on the bike, such as the edges of the stem or handlebars.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 12/12/2005 Make sure that you tighten your crank or you will be coming off of something and it will fall off. But don't over tighten or you will feel it slip, and don't strip it whatever you do.

on 11/22/2005 There are a lot of ways to save weight on your bike that not a lot of people no about. One is to put pegs on only one side of your vert bike, then cut your axles on the side that you don't use. Then you can cut your bars and your seat post. If you need good rims, get double wall. Triple wall is heavy, and 3/8 in the front, but you need 14 mm in the back. Some people ride with dirt tires on the front and street tires on the back (dirt tires are lighter, but you need traction in the back). You want all sealed bearings.