How to Build Your Custom BMX Bike

Customizing your BMX bike will allow you to do more tricks.

You can customize your BMX bike by removing stock parts and replacing them with after-market performance parts. Do this if you are planning on using your BMX bike for stunts and tricks. Building a custom BMX bike by adding after-market parts will make your bike stronger and enhance your performance as well as make your bike better able to withstand the abuse it will be taking. The most important things to consider when building a custom BMX bike are your budget, your size and your style of BMX.

Things You'll Need

• Money
• An understanding of how you will use your bike
• Complete park tool set (will include socket wrench, Allen (hex) and crescent wrenches)
• Custom handlebars
• Custom rims
• Custom seat post
• Bike grease

Instructions

1. Replace your handlebars with a pair that are stronger and have a low cross bar. By changing your bars to a shorter width and lower profile, you will also be changing the overall handling of your bike and it will have a more custom look. First remove all four bolts from the stem and remove the top clamp plate. Mount your new bars into the stem .The stem sits on the top of the front fork and is typically secured with Allen bolts. Adjust them to your comfort level. When you are happy with their position, use the "X" pattern to tighten down the bolts. Do this by lightly tightening the top bolt first, followed by the opposite bolt on the opposite side, and repeating with the other two bolts, creating an "X."

2. Replace your standard seat post with a customized one. Choose a seat post that is shorter and thicker. This will enable you to have a lower profile that gives you a lower center of gravity. This will give you better handling, stability and control, which is important if you want to land correctly in your stunts. To remove your old seat post, unscrew your seat clamp and simply slide out your old seat. When installing the new seat post, add grease to the inside of the downtube before adding the seat. Adjust to your height and then retighten the bolts using your allen or crescent wrench.

3. Install your new set of rims. Most BMX bikes have 20-inch rims that normally feature rims with 32 holes and come with standard 18-gauge spokes. Going custom means you can choose from either 24-, 32-, 36-, 48- or even 96-holed rims that can have up to10-gauge spokes. Replacing your standard rims with custom rims will make your bike stronger and better able to withstand the impact of tricks and stunts. To install your new rims, detach your old rims using your socket wrench. Deflate your old tires and remove them from your old rims. Replace the tires on your new rims and reinstall using your socket wrench to tighten the bolts. When changing out the wheels on your bike, the chain may become loose. Be sure your chain is correctly installed before tightening up the bolts on the wheels.

Tips & Warnings

• Investing in a complete bike tool set is a great investment and will come in handy as you continue to ride and customize your BMX bike.

• Any time you change parts on your bike, you may find you need to make adjustments. Take your bike on a test ride before attempting jumps or tricks after installing new parts, to avoid accidents.

References

• Albe's Custom BMX parts
• Gack BMX parts
• Profile Racing BMX parts
• Primo BMX parts

Resources

• S and M BMX parts