Why Is Your BMX Bike Hard to Pedal?

BMX bikes are designed for racing and stunt riding, and as such, they are generally much lighter than other types of bicycles. However, this can also make them more difficult to pedal, especially when starting from a stop. There are a few things that you can do to make pedaling your BMX bike easier, though.

One reason why your BMX bike might be hard to pedal is that the tires are too low. This makes it more difficult for the pedals to grip the ground, and also makes it more likely that the bike will tip over if you’re not careful. You can solve this problem by simply pumping up your tires to the recommended pressure.

In this article, we’ll discuss some other potential reasons why your BMX bike is hard to pedal and what you can do about it.

Why Is Your BMX Bike Hard to Pedal?

There are a few reasons that your BMX bike might be hard to pedal. Here is a list of the most common reasons:

The chain is too tight:

The chain on your BMX bike needs to be tight in order to work properly, but if it’s too tight it will make pedaling very difficult. You can adjust the tension of the chain by loosening or tightening the bolts that hold the rear wheel in place.

Brake pads are rubbing against the wheel:

If your brake pads are rubbing against the wheel, it will make it difficult to pedal. The best way to fix this is to adjust the brakes so that they are not rubbing.

Tire pressure is too low: 

The ideal tire pressure for BMX bikes is between 40 and 60 PSI. If your tire pressure is too low, it will be hard to pedal because the tires will be squishy and won’t grip the ground well.

The cranks are too long:

This is the most common reason why BMX bikes are hard to pedal. The cranks on BMX bikes are usually longer than the cranks on mountain bikes or road bikes, which makes it more difficult to apply power to the pedals. If you’re having trouble pedaling your BMX bike, try shortening the cranks.

Something is wrong with the drivetrain:

The chain could be too tight, the derailleurs could be out of adjustment, or the cassette (rear gears) could be damaged. Check all of these things before taking your bike to a shop.

Out-of-true wheels:

If your wheels are out-of-true, it will make pedaling very difficult because the bike will wobble and shake. You can fix this by truing the wheels yourself or taking them to a bike shop.

Bad bearings:

If the bearings in your pedals, bottom bracket, or headset are damaged or worn out, it will make pedaling very difficult. You can replace the bearings yourself or take the bike to a shop.

Misaligned brakes:

If your brakes are misaligned, it will make it difficult to pedal because the brake pads will rub against the wheel. You can fix this by aligning the brakes yourself or taking the bike to a shop.

Damaged chain: 

A damaged or bent chain will not fit snugly around the sprockets, causing it to slip and resulting in a loss of power. This can make your bike feel “heavy” to pedal. Inspect your chain regularly for damage and replace it if necessary.

Incorrect tire pressure: 

If your tires are too soft, they will flex more and cause more rolling resistance, making it harder to pedal. Conversely, if your tires are too hard, they will provide less traction and may cause you to slip. Check your tire pressure regularly and adjust as needed.

If you’re still having trouble pedaling your BMX bike after checking all of these things, it’s time to take it to a bike shop. They will be able to help you figure out what is wrong and fix it.

How to Fix Your Hard Pedal BMX Bike Easy to Pedal:

Here are some easy tips to make your hard pedal BMX bike easy to pedal:

1. Check your tires to see if they’re properly inflated. If not, inflate them to the proper pressure.

2. Make sure your chain is properly lubricated. If it’s dry, lube it up.

3. Adjust your saddle height so that when you’re pedaling, your leg is almost straight at the bottom of the stroke.

4. If your bike has a front brake, make sure it’s not rubbing on the rim. Adjust it if necessary.

5. Check your pedals to see if they’re tight. Loosen them if they are.

6. Inspect your cranks to see if they’re bent. If they are, get them fixed or replaced.

7. Make sure the bearings in your wheels are properly adjusted.

8. If your bike has a coaster brake, make sure it’s not engaged.

9. Check to see if your bike is in the proper gear. If it’s not, shift into the correct gear.

10. Have someone else check your bike to see if there’s something you missed

If your BMX bike is still hard to pedal after trying all of these things, it’s time to take it to a bike shop. They can help you figure out what’s wrong and get your bike running smoothly. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, your BMX bike is hard to pedal because of the gearing. The smaller the chainring, the harder it is to pedal. If you want an easier time pedaling your BMX bike, you can either swap out your sprocket for a larger one or get a bike with a bigger chainring.