What Side do BMX Bike Pegs Go On? (Useful Tips)

BMX bike pegs expand the types of stunts BMX bike riders can perform. Some riders fit them on the right-hand side of their BMX bikes while others do so on the left; what side do BMX bike pegs go on? I’ve taken a deep dive to bring you that answer – and it’ll make you a better BMX rider too!

The side on which BMX bike pegs go on is commonly determined by the BMX rider’s preference: comfort and control when performing stunts is key in deciding which side BMX bike pegs go. As a rule of thumb, BMX bike pegs are fitted on the same side as a rider’s leading foot. If the rider’s right foot’s mostly forward when coasting, that’s the side on which to fit pegs.

Is there a rule book for riding a BMX bike? Nope. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way; and the more time you spend on your BMX bike, the greater your repertoire of stunts grows, and your levels of fun increase. What the fitment of pegs onto your BMX bike enables is for you to perform a greater number of tricks with enhanced control, agility and balance. This post will cover everything you need to know, and more, about BMX stunt pegs.

What is the Best Side for BMX Bike Pegs for Newbies?

When performing stunts on your BMX bike, your comfort on the bike and control of it under you – whether on the ground or in the air – is paramount to successfully pulling off complex stunts.

The role these small pegs play in BMX bike riding can’t be overstated enough. The fitment of these pegs on the side of your BMX bike that most suits your comfort and control, play an even larger role in the performance of stunts than you’d first expect.

It must be natural for you, to be second nature for your feet to move to and from the pegs without you needing to look down at your feet. You’ll have greater control over your BMX bike and more agility in shifting your weight around your BMX bike to pitch it into different positions for stunts and tricks.

For those just breaking into this sport or even for riders looking to grow their stunts, experienced BMX riders will also tell you to initially install four pegs on your BMX bike.

This will not only help you to become accustomed to using pegs to perform stunts, but you’ll also learn which side of the BMX bike you prefer them.

For some, you might even find you can perform stunts equally well on both sides of the bike in stunts such as grinds on the left and right side of the bike and prefer to leave all four pegs on for crazier trick combinations and variations. Once you have an inkling of which is your preferred side though, simply remove the pegs you no longer need.

A number of Flatland BMX riders prefer all four pegs so that they can perform a greater number of stunts. From jumping off the pedals to both feet onto the rear pegs, or balancing on the front wheel with both feet on the front pegs, the freedom offered by four pegs encourages greater creativity in tricks for these dance-like BMX riders.

Experienced street-style BMX riders, on the other hand, favor pegs on only one side of their BMX bikes. If they find it comfortable and more confidence-inspiring to ride with pegs on the same side as their bike’s drivetrain, there are a vast array of hub guards, bash guards and cassette guards to protect those components.

How Do You Decide Which Side BMX Bike Pegs Go On?

There are two main schools of thought regarding how to decide which side BMX bike pegs go on, and as we have already established there is no right or wrong way.

The first group believes that BMX bike pegs should go on the opposite side of the bike to the drivetrain. This is purely to avoid damaging those critical – and pricey – parts. That makes perfect sense.

The other school of thought centers around which is your dominant leg and its pivoting power. If your right leg is your dominant one, the one which is most often forwards when you’re coasting on your BMX bike, and you bunny hop or manual your bike for a 180- or 360-degree spin, the arcing motion will turn your BMX bike towards the right-hand side. Your BMX bike’s pegs should be on the outside of that arc, to support grinding and railing on surfaces.

Whichever side you feel most comfortable installing your BMX bike’s pegs, experienced riders will also tell you to ride and grind as much as possible to gain as much confidence in your stunts.

Do BMX Bike Pegs Fit All Types of BMX?

BMX bike pegs fit all types of BMX bikes. However, not all types of BMX bikes are allowed pegs. BMX bike racers aren’t permitted to equip their bikes with pegs for safety reasons: the tight turns and the shoulder-to-shoulder nature of racing circuits and racing action, pegs would be too dangerous in the case of crashes.

Dirt Jump riders also don’t run their BMX bikes with pegs for safety either: the high speeds and high jumps are far greater than experienced in street/park and Flatlands BMX riding, and pegs would cause injury to riders.

What are the Types of BMX Bike Pegs?

As with BMX bike seats and grips, riders have a variety of designs, colors and styles of BMX bike pegs to choose from. BMX bike pegs are commonly constructed from chromoly steel or aluminum alloy, in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit just about every type of rider’s needs.

There are three basics to BMX bike pegs to consider: length; axle size; diameter.

  • Length: The standard length of BMX bike pegs is 100 mm. Extra Long pegs are 110 mm, while some riders prefer to run with Micro Pegs which are only 30 mm in length.
  • Axle size: Modern BMX bikes make us of a standard axle size of 14 mm. Previously, BMX bikes were all fitted with 10 mm axles, but there were replaced by the larger 14 mm axles for their added strength and rigidity.
  • Diameter: The standard diameter size for BMX bike pegs is 38.5 mm, while advanced BMX riders might prefer “Skinny” pegs which are 35 mm or less in diameter, purely for lighter weight goals.

How Do You Install BMX Bike Pegs?

These cylinders are easily attached to the front and rear axles of BMX bikes with a bolt or two each. Check the size of the nuts on the axle bolts: entry-level BMX bikes are equipped with 19 mm nuts while most BMX bikes feature 17 mm nuts. A socket wrench or a ratchet with an extension pole with a 17 mm or 19 mm socket is all you’ll need.

Remove the axle’s nut and bolt. Place the pegs on the axle and the nuts on the inside of the socket to easily locate and tighten them. For the bolts, also place them in the socket with the peg over them. You’ll now be able to easily thread them through the hub and tighten them. For the rear nut and bolts, don’t loosen both nuts and bolts at the same time or you’ll have a headache fiddling with your BMX bike’s chain tension and the rear wheel’s placement.

BMX bike pegs need replacing often due to the grinding of the steel against concrete and other metal surfaces. You can also loosen the nuts and bolts, rotate the pegs and then tighten again if one area is worn.