Looking After Your BMX Bike

Although BMX bikes are designed to take a lot of punishment they also require a great deal of attention to ensure they remain in optimum condition. Even the best quality BMX bikes will require replacement parts at some stage.

The first step in checking out a BMX bike is to give it a thorough clean. This is particularly apt for racing BMX bikes or dirt jump models where regular mud coatings are the norm. A clean bike and the fact that the rider is paying close attention to the bike whilst cleaning will help bring into sharp relief any cracks or signs of rust or corrosion.

If a BMX bike is from a renowned brand it is less likely to crack or warp easily on impact. However, such cracks can still occur over time or as a result of some kinds of extreme riding. Likewise, because many racing BMX bikes are made from aluminium they will benefit from the fact that aluminium does not rust. However, aluminium can still buckle or warp easily, particularly when undergoing the stresses of leaping across modern racing BMX tracks.

If signs of wear and tear or damage are observed at any stage then action needs to be taken straight away. Ignoring such mechanical or bodywork failings will only lead to the problem becoming worse. This will not only adversely affect riding performance but may also severely compromise the rider's safety.

Should a particular BMX part need replacing it is best to approach a specialist BMX shop for advice. General bike shops may not have as complete knowledge of BMX as a specialist retailer and will certainly not stock as wide a range of parts.