Like any activity that involves using the majority of your muscles, BMX riding is considered to be extremely beneficial for both your physical and mental health. The most important benefits you get from riding a BMX is a healthy heart and it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The exercise you get from riding a BMX might also help you build muscle and lose weight too.
All this leads to a fitter body, improved physical endurance and you feeling a lot better. Every type of physical exercise is known to improve your mood and coupling that with being outside with the sun shining at you there is no better way to sustain your mental health. But if for some reason you find just riding a BMX kind of boring, then you should consider fitting some pegs at the back.
What Are Pegs For?
Whilst not a common sight on most bicycles, when it comes to BMXs pegs are often found to be the best way to make your rides more interesting. BMX pegs are installed for the sole reason of performing stunts and tricks. Not that you can't do tricks with other types of bicycles but on a BMX a pair of pegs open up Pandora's box of tricks such as peg grinds and wheelies.
What to Consider
Material
The majority of BMX pegs are made of aluminium alloy which provides a good mix of strength and lightweightness. More affordable BMX bike pegs are made of Chromoly steel which is still a strong material but not strong enough to make them as durable as aluminium alloy pegs. A lot of today's pegs come with a hard-wearing plastic or nylon sleeve. These sleeves have been found to provide a slicker surface, especially with longer and smoother grinds. You can also find plastic pegs which are not recommended but are still a good option to consider if you're just starting out.
Axle
The axle size of most pegs is either 14 mm or 3/8 inches. While 14 mm axles are usually seen with street riding bikes you can also find some on BMX bikes. 3.4 inch pegs are found mainly on BMX bikes meant for riding or racing. 3/8 inch are better for stunt riding as they can handle more force.
Diameter & Length
Whilst the standard peg diameter comes at 18.5 mm there are skinny BMX wheel pegs which come at either 35 mm or less. The latter are preferred by riders who want lighter pegs. The length or a standard peg is around 100 mm but there are longer versions that go up to 110 mm ideal for riders with biog feet or those who want a better grind.
How to Mount BMX pegs
Tools & Parts
To mount pegs on your BMX you'll need parts such as an anti-roll pin and 14 mm or the 3/8 inch adapter washers depending on the axle size of the pegs. The tools needed to install pegs are a socket extension, 5 mm Allen wrench, a 3/8 inch ratchet and 15 mm , 17 mm, or a 19 mm deep well socket. This depends on the axle size, 14 mm axle nuts need either a 17 mm or 19 mm socket whilst 3/8 inch ones need a 15 mm socket.
Installation
1. First you need to remove the axle nut. Get your ratchet and correct deep well socket and loosen one of the axle nuts. Once that's done, thread the nut counterclockwise until it is completely off the axle. Remember to remove any washers between the frame of the fork and the axle nut.
2. Next you need to install the axle adapter washer. This step applies only to 3/8 inch pegs – go on to the next stop you have a 14 mm peg. Some pegs will require some drilling in order to fit a 14 mm axle and these will usually include 14 mm to 3/8 inch axle adapter washers. So, if you're installing a 14 mm peg on a 3/8 inch axle you'll need to use these adapters. This is done by inserting the washers into the end of the peg or just slide them over the axle and the slide the peg over the washer when installing you're installing the peg.
3. If your pegs have anti-roll pins you'll need to install them using the hole or holes on the peg. The pin needs to be tightened on those holes (or hole) with a 5 mm Allen wrench. Make sure to fasten the pins good as you don't want them too become loose and start rattling when you're learning a new trick. Again if your pegs didn't come with anti-roll pins skip this step.
4. Finally to install the pegs slide them over the end of the axle and if you just installed the anti-roll pins make sure to turn the peg so that the pins are inside the dropout slot. Next, place your axle nut deep in the end of the deep well socket and also put it at the end of the peg. Lastly, thread the axle nut clockwise onto the axle but don't tighten it all the way.
5. When you have put the pegs on, adjust the chain first by making sure the wheel is not rubbing on the inside of the chain. Then make sure the chain isn't sagging and tighten the axle nut a little bit. Spin the cranks to ensure the chain is aligned properly and if it's not too tight or loose. Once that is done you're ready to ride your BMX. If you are mounting pegs on the front wheel you don't need to do this.
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