Beginner Tips
1. If you are a beginner try not to get scared, just try to relax. The other kids in your moto will be rookies too. Its okay to put your feet down on the ground if you feel like your losing your balance. Every BMX racer will have some crashes, its all part of the learning. You will learn how to roll out of a crash if happens. If you feel like you are starting to crash and you do start falling off your bike, try to roll out of it and
don't try to hard to stay up because it may make you fall harder. Also, try to roll out of the track away from other riders. If you do crash, its okay, we all have crashed. Its ok to just lay down there for a couple of
minutes and catch your breath, and mom or dad is allowed to come help you, unless its a big state race and no one is allowed on the track.
2. Gate Start. The basic one-pedal start is all you need to know to get going. Put your bike straight in the gate, set your pedals so that your starting pedal (strongest) is a little above level. Lean back a little and listen to the starter. When the gate drops, throw your weight forward and push down the pedal. Give a medium hard first pedal, a real hard second pedal and you're off.
3. Don't try to do the hard and fancy things that the experienced riders are doing, you will learn with time and lots of practice. Don't push yourself beyond your capabilities.
4. Pedal All You Can. Coast only in places where pedaling will cause you to lose control, like in a drop off or on the tight curves where you might lean far enough over that a pedal snags on the ground. When you are going over the top of a steep hill, make sure your pedals are in the level position so the
don't hit the ground.
5. If You Coast, Keep Your Feet On The Pedals. If you lift them off for any reason you will spend valuable time getting them back on again.
6. Use You Brakes As Little As Possible. Be sure to use them just enough to stay in control of your bike. Taking the lead won't matter much if you wipe out later in the race.
7. Don't Do Tricks During a Race. One fancy wheelie could easily cost you the lead, or worse, take yourself out of the moto.
8. Don't Get Discouraged, Especially the first few times out. in fact, don't get discouraged at all. BMX is just for fun. If you win, great, if you don't, no big deal. Every rider out there is in a learning process.
Bike Tips
1. Always check the pressure in your tires. The maximum amount of pressure should be stamped on all tires. You will go a lot slower if the pounds are too low. I learned the hard way! I never leave home without my pump.
2. Many kids start using non-clip pedals after about a year or more of racing. It helps most of them gain extra ground because you are gaining your up pull as well as your down push on your cranking. Many people claim that Time has the best pedals, however any brand can be used. I personally like the platform type pedals
because you feel like you are standing on something more stable. You will need to purchase special
non-clip shoes and will need to insert the clips in the bottom of them. The pedals screw on like any normal set of pedals. It will take you a couple of weeks of practice before you should attempt using them in a race. You can adjust the tension for easier or more difficult release, play around until you find the setting that works best for you!
3. I think it is important to make sure your bottom bracket is clean and lubed and working excellent. Many bottom brackets come with sealed bearings and these should not need any regular maintenance. However, if you
don't have sealed bearings, then you should have your bottom
bracket taken apart and cleaned properly. You could even replace the bottom bracket for around 25.00-35.00. I have been the "Wheels Bike Shop" and they have done an excellent job working on our bikes, and they are reasonable.
4. You should not leave your bike outside in the rain, or wash it regularly with water. The water can get in the small cracks and start rust to grow, which will slow you down. You are better off waiting for the mud to dry, then dust it off carefully and wipe it down. (you can try to blow the dirt out too) Keep you chain lightly lubed, but not super greasy. You should use special bike lube, and not WD-40. White lightning is one good lube that we use, but there are other types as well. You can put a little lube in the hubs where the wheels spin, and also a little around the bottom bracket where the cranks meet the bottom bracket. I also spray a little on the brake cables, where you can see moving parts.
5. You bike will need constant tuning. These bikes take a lot of abuse and the lightweight parts do start to come loose eventually. Always keep your chain tight, but not too tight. Check you handlebars to see if they are tight, including your headset. Check to see if the pedals are screwed on tight and the cranks are secure. Check to see if your brakes work well, and the pads are NOT touching the tire when you are not pulling the brake lever. Check all the nuts and bolts every time you race including axle nuts, stem bolts, pedals, cranks, seat and seat-post nuts, brake and headset bolts.
6. You should check to see if any spokes have come loose, this is important and you should have your wheels professionally trued at least once a year. This will cut down on flat tires and also make your wheels spin faster.
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