How to Make a BMX Bike Light

With a sport such as BMX biking, a lighter bike can translate to a plethora of benefits. The bike requires less force to move resulting in less energy expended by you, the rider. It is also easier to hit jumps and catch air with a lighter bike as it is less weight to get off the ground. All BMX bikes are made to be light, but as they are bought from the store, they can almost always be improved upon. Learn some ways to lighten your BMX bike and you will be happy with the results.

Instructions

    • 1

      Replace the frame with a lighter one. A frame is a major source of weight for a BMX bike. If your frame weighs more than 6.5 pounds, it is excessive and could be reduced without a compromise in strength. Replacing a heavy frame will yield instant results. Additionally a frame lighter than around five pounds is too light and you could be sacrificing strength and therefore risking your safety.

    • 2

      Replace heavy forks with lighter forks. Remove the wheel and the front brakes from the bike to access the fork. You need one of several types of wrenches to loosen the headset, depending on the bolt configuration. Do this process in reverse to put your bike together. A light fork should be in the two pound range.

    • 3

      Buy lighter wheels as a way to slightly cut down on weight. Lighter wheels aren't the easiest place to save on weight as there is not a huge variation in wheel weight, but it is worth looking into. BMX riders should generally stick to 48 spokes in the back wheel and 36 spokes in the front wheel. If your bike has more than this, consider a replacement.

    • 4

      Replace your current handlebars with butted handlebars, as they are very light. Consider your riding style as butted handlebars are also not as strong as regular handlebars. If you are not a super aggressive and/or are a light person, go with butted handlebars.

    • 5

      Buy titanium parts whenever possible. They are more expensive but have top level strength and are very light. Look for titanium parts for your wheels, cranks and pedals as well as brakes, seatposts, pegs and sprockets.

    • 6

      Remove your front brake if you are comfortable riding without it. It will eliminate that weight and you should be fine, as front brakes aren't used often in the BMX world. Some BMX riders go brakeless but that is only an option if you are an expert rider and have experience without brakes.