BMX Forks
Understanding BMX Forks
BMX forks are essential as they secure your front wheel and impact the steering and balance of your bike. Acting as the connection between the stem and the front wheel, forks play a crucial role in your setup. These forks are crafted from various materials. For freestyle BMX, forks are typically made from robust Chromoly to endure the rigours of freestyle riding. Chromoly is also widely used for race forks, while carbon fibre offers an exceptionally lightweight alternative. When selecting a BMX fork, it's vital to consider the length of the steerer tube, the dropout size, and the offset.
Exploring Fork Sizes
BMX forks are available in numerous styles and forms, but they commonly share certain traits. The height of most BMX bike forks is 315 mm, and they generally have a steerer tube length of about 160-166 mm. However, these measurements can differ, and altering them can affect your riding experience. Dropouts on BMX forks—small plates at the fork's end securing the front wheel—come in various shapes and sizes, so there's no need to worry.
Understanding BMX Fork Offset
The BMX fork offset is the measurement from the centre of the fork leg to the wheel axle, indicating how far in front of your fork the front wheel will sit. The offset length you choose will depend on your BMX activities. Shorter offsets deliver a quicker and more responsive front-end feel, facilitating swift turns and tricks like nose manuals. If you ride at higher speeds or elevations, a longer offset offers increased stability for smoother rides.
Looking to maintain your setup but unsure where to start? Check out our BMX Assembling and Maintenance Guide.