We all love the speed and high flying action of BMX riding, but what happens when it comes time to slow things down. A good set of brakes and levers is a must if you hope to keep things under control on the BMX track, in the park, or on the trails.

Selecting the right brake for your bike is crucial, and that’s why we here at Jenson are dedicated to helping you pick the correct brake for your frame. There are a few types of BMX brakes to consider when making your selection and it all depends on what your frame is compatible with. There is the standard caliper style brake that have been around since what seems like the beginning of time and can still be found on bikes today. This type of brake was popular on bikes from the 70s and 80s, and these can mostly be found on kids bikes and less expensive BMX bikes. Next up is the U-brake. The U-brake gained popularity in the 80s and is the brake of choice for today’s higher end BMX bikes. The U-brake has more power than the standard caliper brake but can only be used on frames that are specifically made with U-Brake mounts. The last type of brake we will be talking about is the Linear pull or V-brake. Again, your bike must have specific mounts to be able to run this style of brake. You can typically find linear pull brakes on BMX race bikes. That is because they are the most powerful of all the brakes described here and when you’re racing at full speed, you need a brake that is going to get you slowed down in hurry.

Of course, with that new brake you’re going to need to get yourself a brake lever. There are basically two types of levers to choose from. You have the standard pull lever which you can use for standard caliper and U-brakes. The other type is made specifically for linear pull brakes. If you’re not sure what brake to choose, let our gear advisors help you.

With a large inventory of brakes and brake levers from such brands as Tektro, Odyssey, Shimano, and Dia-Compe, you’re sure to find the perfect brake to meet your needs. If you have any questions at all, hop on a call or a chat with one of our expert Gear Advisors today at 888-880-3811 so that we can help you find that perfect component.