How To Put On / Install BMX Front Brakes, by @Brant_Moore on YouTube. 26 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 26 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check that your fork has two threaded brake mounts on the legs and that your bars have space for a lever on the left or right side.
Slide the lever onto the bars, set it about 15 degrees below level, and tighten the clamp bolt with a 5mm hex key.
Bolt the caliper arms to the fork mounts with threadlocker, snugging the bolts evenly so the arms sit centred over the tyre.
Run the cable from the lever through the housing down to the caliper, then feed it through the straddle hanger and cable anchor.
Set each brake pad so it sits 1 to 2mm from the rim, with the pad surface flat against the rim and not touching the tyre.
Turn the spring tension screws on each arm until both pads pull away from the rim by the same amount.
Squeeze the lever. The pads should hit the rim well before the lever reaches the grip. Fine tune with the barrel adjuster.
Cut the spare cable about 3cm past the anchor, fit an end cap, and spin the wheel to check for rubbing.
Tips and common mistakes
Clean the rim with rubbing alcohol before you set pad clearance so the pads bite evenly.
If one pad drags, turn that arm's spring screw a quarter turn at a time instead of moving the pad.
Replace any cable with a frayed strand before fitting it, since a snapped front cable is dangerous.
Test the brake at walking speed in a safe spot before you ride properly.
Questions
Can I add front brakes to any BMX bike?
Only if your fork has brake mounts. Many modern BMX forks are brakeless, so check the fork legs for two threaded bosses before buying a caliper.
How firm should the lever feel?
It should feel solid, with the pads contacting the rim when the lever is about halfway to the grip. A spongy lever usually means the cable housing is too long or the pads are too far out.
Do I need a special cable for a U-brake?
A standard BMX brake cable works. Get one long enough for the taller front end, and grease it lightly before you feed it through the housing.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
