How to Set Up Your Bike for Street Riding

BMX street riding is the common ground where many riders from different disciplines of freestyle can meet. Vert riders, dirt jumpers and flatlanders can all offer something new. Some riders focus on street riding only. Street riding challenges you to ride on or jump over things that you see every day, from curbs and stairs to ledges and rails, or even trees and buildings. You need a creative mind, good bike-handling skills and a strong bike built to take some abuse.

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

1. Start with a good freestyle-specific frame. These usually have a longer wheel base, reinforced thick wall tubing ends, and steep angles.

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

3. Remove any pads, reflectors, chain guards or kickstands.

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

5. Position your handlebars so they're straight up and down and in line with the fork. You may be more comfortable with your bars a little further forward or back, but don't go too far in either direction.

6. Remove old grips if they are torn or if the handlebar is showing through. Bar end caps will help protect the ends of the handlebar.

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).

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

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.

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

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

12. Choose platform pedals over caged pedals.

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

14. Consider using a sprocket guard to protect your sprocket and chain.

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

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

Tips & Warnings

• A lot of street riders also ride other forms of freestyle, so you may want to set yourself up with that in mind. Dirt jumpers can usually get away with just throwing some pegs on their bikes, vert riders can usually run their bikes as they are, and a flatlander who also wants to really focus on the street might consider using a longer frame and higher gearing.
• Choose all the parts on your bike based on their strength. Street riding can be pretty abusive to your bike (and your body).
• If you are set on grinding on only one side, you really only need pegs on that side, but that may limit your creativity later.
• When you are setting up your brake cables, make them as short as possible while still having smooth braking. Long cables tend to get in the way.
• Most riders use smooth pegs for easier grinds and other lip tricks.
• Gearing preferences vary from person to person. A 44- or 45-tooth sprocket in the front with a 16 in the rear is pretty common.
• BMX freestyle is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
• Always wear a helmet!

Who Can Help:

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on 9/22/2006 Don't go on the Internet to find out how to set up your bike. Ride it comfortable, everybody's different, some people like 4 pegs, others like 2 and some people ride pegless. It's all what you're comfortable with. And don't ride to become famous, ride because you enjoy it. There's nothing better than riding all day with your friends and having a good time learning new tricks. Learning a new trick is an awesome feeling, so just go ride!

on 8/24/2006 Warning: to do this trick you will need powerful brakes.

First, stand on the back pegs and ride along at a slow speed, then press your front brake and lean forward. As your back wheel comes up, with your feet on the pegs, lean back still holding your front brake and press your back break. Balance on your back wheel and start to hop up and down, at all times holding your brakes firmly and your feet on the pegs(the bike must jump up and down with you, your feet should be on the pegs at all times). I also recommend that your tires be half full so they don't pop.

Once you have mastered this trick and you can do at least 50 hops without falling off the bike. I recommend you try combos with the hops, like no flutters and X-ups. And if you get really good, try bar spins (in which you are required to let go of your breaks).

on 8/8/2006 The key to landing perfectly is a good sense of balance and to be calm and relaxed. Make sure you don't lean forward too much, and that your handle bars are straight with your bike.

on 8/8/2006 When I try a bar spin while rolling, I usually have a moderately slow-medium speed, putting both feet on the back pegs, and use the less dominant arm to grab the seat, pulling up with the dominant hand and quickly spinning around the bars. Good gyros help, as it doesn't tangle, but can hinder other tricks as they can be useless at times.

on 11/22/2005 The first thing is to make sure you are balanced on your bike, you can stay in one spot or try rolling to do this trick. What you do is stand up and lock your seat between your knees. After that, lean back and spin your handle bars somewhat fast in the direction you are comfortable with, grab the grip to stop spinning and you have done a bar spin.