Your BMX Not Working Like It Should? Find the Solution Here
Is your BMX not riding like you're used to? No worries. Below you'll find the most common problems, with clear videos and the steps below, just like on the maintenance page.
Brake is sticking
Are your brake pads rubbing against the rim or tire? Readjust your brake pads.
- Loosen: Loosen the brake pad and align it with the braking surface (not against the tire).
- Positioning: Squeeze the brake lever so that the block is stable against the rim.
- Tighten: ¼ turn at a time, checking that it remains straight.
Brake has too little or too much pressure
Does your brake lever feel too loose or engage too quickly? Adjust the brake pressure and cable tension.
- To loosen the cable: loosen the brake cable clamp bolt (counterclockwise).
- Press the blocks: both at the same time against the rim; create space for cable tension.
- Cable tight: pull out slack and fix ± 50%.
- Test & Adjust: Feel the braking point; if it's not right, readjust.
- Tighten: clamp bolt permanently.
- Fine-tuning: barrel adjuster on the lever (and if necessary at the claw).
- Securing: Lock nut against the lever/claw to prevent loosening.
Tires feel too soft
With the correct tire pressure, you'll have grip, speed, and a lower risk of snakebites. For street use, it's often a little lower, for park/dirt use, it's higher.
- Check max. pressure: look at the tire and use a pump with a pressure gauge.
- Guideline (weight): <60 kg: 3.5–4.5 bar • 60–80 kg: 4.5–5.5 bar • 80 kg+: 5.5–6 bar.
- Guideline (style): Street 2.5–5 bar • Park 4.5–6.5 bar • Dirt 5–6.5 bar • Flat 5.5–7 bar.
- Street low PSI: 2.5–3 bar for nose manuals/low speed balance (more grip, less pop).
See the full table under Checking Tires on the maintenance page.
Chain hangs slack
A loose chain can skip and wear out faster. Tighten the chain and straighten your wheel.
- Check that the wheel is straight in the frame (left/right clearance is equal).
- Loosen the axle nuts.
- Straighten the wheel and adjust the chain tension: lightly compress, do not chatter.
- Tightening: alternate ¼ turns left/right, keeping the wheel straight.
- Double-check tension and run the chain backwards as a test.