BMX - Lot's Of Questions

Hello fellow BMXer's, I have been riding BMX for fun for a while until someone stole my BMX and now I temporaily moved to Taiwan. I am soon going back to Cali and i want to accually learn how to ride freestyle. I am about 100 pds. and 5"7. I have alot of questions about making a good bike and you guys can help.

1) Which brakes are better U or V brakes (or none)??

2) Is it better having gyro or no???

3) I want pegs and i've seen people put them all on, on the back, and on one side. What should I do
with them?

4) Does the size of the chain rings matter?

5) According to my size and weight, what type of freestyle bmx is right for me?

6) Also according to my size and weight, what special modifications or whatever should i do to my BMX?

7) I don't know if this applies but to ride BMX at it's peak, I should be wearing skakeboard shoes rite?


This may be alot of questions but it is a great load of help to me, thank you for looking over and answering them...

1) for bmx = u brakes
2) depends: multiple barspins or whips or decades(more than 2)= gyro otherwise slic cable is fine
3) on one side to begin with, and all round if you need to.
4) no, as long as you get the ratios right
5) just get a street/trails specific bike. strong as anything.
6) replace the parts that break when they break
7) yes, or bmx specific shoes, but it amounts to the same thing really

1 deff U
2 I like the gyro but if you go with V brakes don't use the gyro
3 two back one front or all around
4 just get your ratios right
5 nah not really
6 I can't tell you bc I'm not you change things for your prefrence
8 I just ride with rbk i just like them

Most of your questions are all personal preference.

-Gyro or U brake? I'd go with a U
-Straight Cable, gyro or brakless? I prefer brakless but im trying out straight cable for now, just to what feels best for you. Gyro is needed if your going to be spinngin the bars around alot, weather it be barspins, tailwhips or anything else.
-Pegs? No more than you need. I run 2 but sometimes none. Ive seen people run 1,2,3,and 4 pegs. If you are only going to be doing the begginer grinds (double pegs and feebles) I'd only use 2 pegs on the side you are more comfortable to grind on.
-Chainring size? as long as you have a proper ratio they are the same except for clearance on certain grinds.
-Shoes? Skateboard shoes work great
-Modifications? Ride your bike stock untill something breaks, than fix that part.
-Bike? Just get the best bike you can for your price range. Make sure it has a full cromo frame, 14mm axles, 3pc cranks and double or triple wall rims.

yoiu mean
-v brake or u brake

Thanks for all your help especially I Suck At BMX, this will make me finding a good BMX bike easier

Do you have an idea of what bike or company you will be going with?

Umm... no idea about the bike company but i want a street/flatland/dirt/freestyle bmx, without gyro. Got any suggestions on the company? My price range is very flexible

And also, i've seen people having different types of tires on the front and bike of their BMX, Please tell me how that works

usually for dirt, its knobbly tire up front and a smoother one on the back (but not 100% smooth)...

[EDIT:] i run primo dirtmonster up front (2.20) and a primo wall at the back (1.85)

i have a federal up front and a revenge rear

your not gonna get a street/flatland/dirt/freestyle bmx
your either gonna get a
a) dirt/street/park
b) flatland

get a dirt/street bike they are just that much more flexibile in where you can ride them

and i thought the question about your size and weight was answered badly so i reckon you'll want a frame with a 20/21" toptube if your any bigger than 5'9 because the size of the toptube will help stability in the air and all that ... but its your choice really

tt leght is all personal preference though, I'm like 6'1 maybie a lil more now, and i ride witha tt smaller then 21, i think its like 20-1/4 or 20-1/2

just a suggestion, but the dk six pack seems to be a real good/popular first choice. You will be able to get a lot more help if you post your price range for a bike.

when buying a bike consider the specs of the frame bacause they can and will make a difference a DK six pack is common choice and i think quite a good one a little bit cheaper is a DK fly which as far as i know are quite functional.... im riding an eastern element which im really liking but im having a little trouble with the casette hub but i hope is fixed now..... the backtrail series will be good for different levels of riding and are affordable.....all bikes will have their strengths and weaknesses just make a wise decision