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Lots of you dudes requested me how you can make your BMX bike lighter, so I wish to share my ten prime tricks to cut back weight whereas nonetheless guaranteeing power.
In my profession of using BMX for 20+ years, I had a section after I needed to have my bike the lightest attainable.
I TRIED all types of issues to scale back weight as a result of I used to be a agency believer {that a} lighter BMX would assist me progress sooner.
However did it really assist?
Not likely.
All it did was create a ton of stress.
Enjoyable reality: My first bike weighed round 33 lbs (15kg). However as we speak’s bikes typically weigh round 26 lbs.
WHAT a distinction!
Nonetheless, I’m a road rider, the place weight isn’t as important.
However I talked to many park riders who do a ton of tailwhips and spinning methods and so they noticed fairly an enchancment in lowering bike weight.
And there are these park riders who don’t care about weight, simply as there are road riders who care about weight.
Nonetheless, I’m a agency believer that BMX bike weight doesn’t matter a lot today.
Why?
As a result of most elements are fairly light-weight anyway in comparison with what we rode again within the day.
It’s extra of a private desire.
And if you wish to see how a lighter bike impacts your using, I encourage you to shave off some weight.
How To Make Your BMX Bike Lighter
1. Take away Brakes
One of many first issues you are able to do to save lots of weight is to take off your brakes.
In case your bike at present has a entrance and rear brake, you’ll be able to a minimum of take away the entrance one.
Increasingly riders choose using brakeless anyway, so you may additionally attempt it.
Nonetheless, for those who choose brakes, you’ll be able to at all times get a lighter brake set (however the weight distinction will likely be minor).
2. Lower Elements
“Lower elements?!”
Sure, there are elements in your bike that you could reduce with out affecting their power.
You possibly can reduce your handlebar to the right width, which is one thing I at all times do. However I don’t do it to save lots of weight, however as a result of a narrower bar is simpler for barspins.
You possibly can reduce two extra elements: Fork steerer tube and seat post.
I noticed some additionally advocate chopping hub axles, however I don’t advocate that.
I attempted it twice, however I destroyed the axle thread each instances, which saved beating my nuts.
Be aware: While you reduce your BMX bike elements, don’t reduce an excessive amount of too shortly as a result of your elements could find yourself NOT being RIDEABLE anymore.
For example, you’ll be able to reduce your bar too slim or reduce off an excessive amount of of your steerer tube so the stem can’t maintain on to it firmly.
3. Get Foldable Tires
One widespread apply to scale back BMX bike weight is to get foldable tires (or Kevlar bead tires).
These tires don’t have the metal tire bead that conventional tires have, making them a lot lighter.
Instance: Common 2.4″ BSD Donnastreet tire weighs 730g, and the Kevlar one in the identical width, 670g.
Want new rubber? Listed here are my best BMX tires for this yr.
Talking of tires, you can even save weight by changing your interior tubes with Tubolito Tubo tubes.
4. Plastic Pegs With AL Core
Should you’re a plastic BMX peg advocate like me, you may go for such which have an Alloy core as a substitute of Chromoly.
However, for those who do heavy road using, the Chromoly ones are a lot safer as a result of they’re practically unattainable to interrupt.
Nonetheless, some riders, like Alex Donnachie, journey the Chromoly model within the again and the Alloy model within the entrance.
Instance: A plastic peg with a Chromoly core weighs 170g and an Alloy one solely 115g.
5. Get A Multi-Butted Bar
As an alternative of a straight gauge bar, you may get a multi-butted one. A multi-butted BMX bar has thick tubing the place wanted and thinner in much less confused areas.
These days, the lighter, multi-butted bars are tremendous stable and might deal with virtually any abuse.
Nonetheless, riders like Mike Hoder nonetheless choose straight gauge bars, however he’s an especially burly rider.
Instance: Shadow’s Vultus SG (straight gauge) bar weighs 31.6 oz. and the Featherweight model, 29.6 oz (each in 8.75″ rise).
6. Select A Slimmer Seat
Should you at present journey a fats BMX seat, you’ll be able to cut back your BMX’s weight by getting a slimmer one.
Some even use a railed seat as a result of it’s barely lighter than a pivotal or stealth model.
Nonetheless, one of many lightest variations is the seat and seat publish combo (I like to recommend it for half and path using), the place each elements are mixed into one.
However on this case, you lose the liberty of adjusting the BMX seat angle.
7. Plastic Pedals As an alternative Of Metal
“Do you continue to journey steel pedals, dude?”
When plastic BMX pedals first got here out, I obtained myself a pair instantly. However not due to the load however due to the shin-friendly issue they’ve.
Nonetheless, there are numerous riders on the market who appear to by no means change to plastic, like Miki Fleck and Trey Jones.
Instance: A pair of Shadow Ravager plastic pegs weighs 13.6 oz. and a pair of Shadow’s Steel pedals weighs 18.5 oz.
8. Use Titanium Elements
That is an costly method to upgrading your BMX bike to save lots of weight.
Do I like to recommend it? Not likely.
I did have Titanium bolts just a few instances, however I saved breaking them.
In addition to bolts, you can even use Ti spokes, Ti axle and crank spindles and different small elements.
Keep in mind, even a Titanium BMX body, bar, cranks and fork exist, however I wouldn’t essentially get my arms on these. No less than not if a newbie or intermediate rider.
These are very specialised elements and extra of a private desire than anything.
9. Exercise & Enhance Your self
You received’t see it talked about very often when speaking about saving BMX bike’s weight, however getting your physique stronger and simply using extra will make the bike “really feel” lighter.
Why does this occur?
One of many fundamental causes is that you just begin to management your bike extra as a substitute of your bike controlling you, which occurs to all of us once we begin using.
You may additionally be fascinated with studying in regards to the incredible health benefits of BMX and whether or not or not BMX is a good exercise.
10. Don’t Fear About The Bike Weight So A lot
If I may share recommendation with a twenty-year youthful me, I’d say this: “Dude, don’t fear about how a lot your BMX bike weighs!”
As an alternative, journey extra and have enjoyable, having fun with the classes along with your buddies.
Your physique will get used to all the pieces – together with the load of your bike.
11. Bonus: Exchange Elements With Lighter Ones
I already talked about a few of the fundamental elements you’ll be able to substitute to save lots of weight, however you’ll be able to actually substitute each BMX half with a lighter one.
One trick is getting a smaller sprocket and shortening your chainstay length as a result of it’ll additionally shorten your chain by just a few hyperlinks. (Know {that a} completely different chainstay size will make your bike really feel completely different.)
Right here’s yet another tip: Shorter cranks are additionally lighter. (Discover out the primary advantages of short BMX cranks.)
However is it actually price getting new elements only for the sake of shaving off weight? I don’t assume so.
Nonetheless, if it is advisable to substitute your half as a result of it’s too beat up, certain, discover a lighter substitute.
Earlier than I conclude this listing of ideas for making your BMX bike lighter, I wish to say this:
DO NOT DRILL HOLES into your bike.
I noticed another guides advocate it, however these folks possible don’t journey BMX.
Drilling holes in any a part of your bike is TOO dangerous.
The one half with holes in it I’d get is the Fly Bikes Lunar rims.
However I WOULD NEVER drill holes myself.
Conclusion: Do You Actually Want To Drop Weight From Your BMX Bike?
In brief, no.
Nonetheless, there are situations when a lighter bike will contribute to development and extra joyful classes generally.
In case you are at an especially excessive degree of using, go for lighter elements (even Ti ones) as a result of they’ll undoubtedly affect your development.
Should you don’t journey that a lot however each time you do, the session is just too tiresome; you may additionally wish to get your bike weight down.
However generally, journey extra, get your physique stronger and extra cellular, and the load of your bike all of the sudden received’t matter a lot. And that is the precise method I’m aiming for.
You may additionally be fascinated with studying my article on how much does a BMX bike weigh to seek out some further ideas.
For every other ideas and recommendation, be at liberty to achieve out; I’ll be stoked that will help you.
Yo! 🤘
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