BMX, also commonly known as Bicycle motocross, was initially used to imitate motocross racing in the country back in the 1960s. Now become a favorite sport for riders who love to race and perform stunts on the bike.
BMX is now split into multiple types, where riders do the designated stunts and tricks of the particular type. For that, you need to have a particular bike to perform in the category you fall in.
You will probably know that some BMX bikes come with brakes and some without brakes, and you want to know why do BMX bikes have no brakes. Because brakes can limit the rider’s ability to perform stunts that could be done easily without brakes.
BMX bikes that come without brakes, may be not necessary for the type of riding they are used for. It may seem different, but there are also some other reasons that BMX bikes have no brakes. Better know how to stop BMX bike without brakes
We will cover thoroughly the reasons why do BMX bikes have no brakes. Let’s uncover it!
Is it safe to ride a BMX bike without brakes:
For a beginner, it is not safe and will not be a good option to ride a BMX bike without brakes.
It’s a universal truth that brakes are the safety features on any bicycle, that allow the rider to slow down or stop the bicycle in an emergency or where needed.
Without brakes, riders have no control over their bicycles to slow down or stop their bicycle in a critical situation. Which will increase the possibility of accidents and injuries.
But there are BMX bikes that come without brakes, to ride these bikes you need to first improve your BMX skills by practicing and after that, you can ride without brakes BMX bikes.
Why do BMX bikes have no brakes:
BMX bikes are a popular choice for riders who love thrill-seeking stunts and tricks. Why do BMX bikes have no brakes? To perform stunts for that BMX bike should be lightweight and agile.
A BMX bike isn’t equipped with brakes due to its high-speed, intense maneuvers and stunts.
We find multiple reasons in our research why do BMX bikes have no brakes. That we will cover in the below reasons section.
Reason 1: Extra Weight
BMX bikes are built for speed and doing stunts. Adding brakes will add extra weight on the bike which will hinder their performance on the track, which riders don’t want.
BMX riders can control their bikes without brakes, adding brakes might slow down their performance.
Reason 2: Extra Complexity
BMX tracks often have sharp turns, jumps, or obstacles that require quick reaction and control. Adding brakes can increase the complexity of riders at such obstacles or situations.
Reason 3: Quick Stop
Riders frequently perform fast and dynamic tricks. The lack of brakes allows the rider to control the speed and direction of the bike after the successful execution of the trick.
To perform these stunts with a BMX bike having brakes will cause the bike to slow down too quickly, which could create problems and can lead to damage.
How to stop a BMX bike without brakes:
Why do BMX bikes have no brakes? One notable feature of BMX bikes is that they come without brakes. With this feature, a rider might find it pretty hectic how to stop a BMX bike without brakes.
For an experienced rider to stop a bike without a brake is not a big issue, A beginner could find it difficult to stop a BMX bike without brakes but by practice, it will become very easy and interesting.
As in BMX with time different stunts come into play and riders quickly learn and enjoy it. There are multiple ways to stop a BMX bike without brakes. Some of them are discussed below:
- Skidding: In this technique, riders usually shift their weight towards the back of the bike and drag their feet on the ground to stop.
- Jumping: In this technique, riders can jump off the bike and land on their feet to come to a stop.
- Track Standing: In this technique, riders can balance on the bike and eventually come to a stop by maintaining a stationary position.
Remember, all of the above-mentioned techniques require a lot of effort and practice to learn accurately.
To deeply understand these techniques check out our detailed article on the subject of how to stop a BMX bike without brakes.
Should BMX bikes have brakes:
For the answer to why do BMX bikes have no brakes? We have discussed earlier that brakes are ultimately a safety feature of any bicycle to give control to the riders to slow down or stop the bicycle at any stop. Looking from the safety aspect, YES, BMX bikes should have brakes.
The brakes allow you to have better control of your bicycle, but BMX is a sport of multiple stunts where riders don’t like a bike with brakes to accurately perform their stunt.
Overall, the benefits of brakes on BMX bikes can give you an added advantage to overcome any sort of accident.
Should I use a BMX bike with brakes or without brakes:
After studying the reasons why do BMX bikes have no brakes, you might be thinking of whether should I use a BMX bike with brakes or without brakes.
Ultimately, it depends on your interests and the type of riding you want to do. But as a beginner, we would recommend you avoid riding a BMX bike without brakes.
To understand which bicycle should I use, you need to have a look at the pros and cons of BMX bikes without brakes.
Pros and Cons of BMX Bikes without brakes:
Below are some pros and cons of why do BMX bikes have no brakes.
PROS:
- Skillful Maneuvering: Riders can skillfully maneuver their tricks without using brakes or using BMX bikes without brakes. Brakes can hinder their stunt’s execution and slow down their performance in racing.
- Greater Control: Riders love to stop their BMX bikes without brakes, they use their body weight and pedals to stop their BMX bike. But this will require high-level skills and effort to stop it at the required time and place.
- Lightweight: To better perform stunts and tricks on the BMX bikes requires your bike to be lightweight. Brakes can put extra weight on the bike and can slow your performance.
CONS:
- Inability to stop quickly: BMX bikes without brakes can be a major disadvantage for you particularly if you are a beginner. If you are riding too fast or lose control, it can be difficult for you to stop it quickly.
- Limited Use: BMX bikes have no brakes and only one gear, not suited for everyday use. They are suitable for long rides and only used for stunts.
- Risk of injury: There is a high possibility of injury or accident if you are riding a BMX bike without brakes and you are a beginner and don’t know how to stop it.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Why do BMX bikes have no brakes? BMX bikes that are designed without brakes are not the flaw of the design, but rather a specific choice to enhance the performance, control, and excitement of the sport. The lack of brakes allows you to perform and execute your stunts efficiently.
It requires a lot of effort and practice to learn the tricks that need to be performed on brakeless BMX bikes. Otherwise, you can face severe damage and injury if you do not properly learn the required tricks.
The decision solely depends on your ability and preferences, to choose which bike to ride. If you are confident and believe in yourself that you can play with a BMX bike without brakes you can impress your friends well and enjoy it a lot.
FAQs:
1) Are BMX bikes supposed to have brakes?
Yes, BMX bikes are supposed to have brakes as brakes are the only safety features on any bicycle. It could be difficult for beginner BMX riders to stop a BMX bike without brakes.
2) Why is BMX brakeless?
BMX bikes are brakeless because they can slow down the performance of a rider while executing difficult stunts and tricks that can be better done with brakeless BMX bikes.
3) How do you stop a BMX bike with no brakes?
It can be a difficult task to stop a BMX bike without brakes but not impossible. The easiest way is to put your weight on the back of the bike and drag your foot to stop the bike.
4) Why does BMX have no front brakes?
Why BMX bikes have no brakes or front brakes for multiple reasons. BMX bikes are designed for off-road racing and front brakes can slow down the rider’s performance. Brakes can add extra weight to the bike, which can make it harder to maneuver and control.
5) Why do BMX bikes have no gears?
The reason BMX bikes have no gears is that they are designed for short-distance racing and stunts, where rapid acceleration is more important than a wide range of gears.