What Do I Need to Know About BMX Brakes?

Brakes are increasingly used by freestyle riders to enhance control while riding. Having a brake ensures safety and helps in mastering new tricks. To keep your BMX brake parts in optimal condition, regular maintenance and occasional replacement are essential.

BMX Brake Pads

BMX brake pads, also known as brake shoes or brake blocks, are crucial for stopping your wheels. They are a vital component of your braking system, providing the necessary friction to decelerate or halt your wheels.

All brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced. Most brake pads are designed to work with various types of rim brakes and feature simple one-piece designs.

While most brake pads are threaded, it's important to check whether you need threaded or non-threaded pads when purchasing new ones.

BMX Brake Cables

Similar to pads, BMX brake cables wear out over time and require replacement. Since most BMX bikes feature a single rear U-brake, they typically come with a standard 1.5mm inner wire and full-length outer. BMX brake cables can be either linear or helical. Linear cables are straight wires and are favored by most BMX riders, whereas helical cables consist of tightly wound spiral wire.

If you have a Gyro brake system, two cables are required - the upper and lower cables. Gyro cables are easy to install and can be adjusted to different lengths.

Looking to upgrade your levers? Check out our selection of BMX Brake Levers.