BMX forks for race, cruiser and freestyle

Race or freestyle BMX forks: two designs

A BMX race fork aims for lightness and precision: carbon or aluminium legs, a tapered steerer on high-end models and a 20 mm thru-axle, considered stiffer in corners. A freestyle fork puts strength first: all chromoly steel, a straight 1 1/8-inch steerer, a 10 mm axle and dropouts designed to take pegs. It is tightened by a top bolt screwed into the steerer.

Steerer, axle and offset: the compatibility measurements

The steerer must match the frame's head tube: straight at 1 1/8 inch, or tapered, from 1 1/8 inch at the top to 1.5 inch at the bottom. The axle must match the front hub: 10 mm, the long-standing standard, or a 20 mm thru-axle; some 20 mm forks accept a 10 mm hub with adaptors. The offset, the distance between the wheel axle and the axis of the fork legs, ranges from about 15 to 32 mm: short, it makes the steering lively for street riding; long, it adds stability in park and dirt. Race forks are around 30 to 32 mm.

A fork for every size of BMX

Race forks come in the same sizes as frames: shorter junior models, sometimes with a rider weight limit, expert and pro versions, and cruiser forks for 24-inch wheels, often with a tapered steerer. In freestyle, most forks are designed for a 20-inch wheel; a few models are aimed at 24-inch BMX bikes.

Fitting: steerer, clamping and checks

The steerer is cut to the height of the stack formed by the headset, the spacers and the stem. On a carbon fork or one with an aluminium steerer, use only the clamping system supplied: a conventional star nut is ruled out on some models and may void the warranty. After a crash, inspect the legs and dropouts, and replace a cracked or bent fork.

The parts that go with the fork

The fork is fitted with a BMX stem suited to its steerer, through which it carries the BMX handlebars. For a mountain bike, MTB forks have their own page, and the bike's other parts are gathered in BMX components.

Which BMX fork brands should you choose?

Box equips BMX racing with the carbon One X5 Pro, with a tapered steerer and 20 mm thru-axle, the One X6 Ti Pro, the aluminium One XL Pro Light and cruiser versions.

Ikon designs the Tapered Pro, a carbon race fork with a tapered steerer and 20 mm axle, convertible to 10 mm with adaptors, fitted with a small fin under the crown to cut through the air; it comes in 20 and 24 inches, alongside mini and kids' forks.

Elevn offers its V2 7.0 LT with a straight or tapered steerer, a 10 or 20 mm axle, and in a cruiser version.

Arise organises its Quartz range by level: Junior with a chromoly steerer and aluminium legs, Expert with a straight steerer, Pro with a 20 mm axle and Cruiser with a tapered steerer.

Wethepeople, founded in Cologne by a group of rider friends, makes the Arc fork for Murray Loubser, with 15 or 25 mm offset, and also offers the Utopia, the Patrol or the 24-inch Battleship.

Kink BMX, launched in Rochester, New York, by a teenager who had parts machined that were stronger than the ones he kept breaking, offers the Vogue, Stoic, Foundry and Foundation II forks.

BMX forks on sale

End-of-line forks join our BMX clearance, and new models new arrivals. To prepare a race bike during the off-season, look out for Black Friday and then the winter sales.

Frequently asked questions

What fork offset should you choose for freestyle?

A short offset, around 15 mm, makes the steering lively and helps with tricks in street and flatland. An offset of 25 to 28 mm suits park riding, and a long offset, over 30 mm, stabilises the bike in dirt and bowl. Reference points vary from brand to brand.

Can you fit a 20 mm axle fork with a 10 mm hub?

Only if the fork manufacturer provides adaptors, and with a compatible hub. Otherwise, you need to change the front hub or choose a fork with a 10 mm axle.

Will my frame take a fork with a tapered steerer?

It needs a head tube designed for a 1.5-inch lower bearing. A frame with a straight 1 1/8-inch head tube only takes a fork with a straight steerer. The frame's specifications or the headset fitted will tell you.

Is a carbon fork strong enough for BMX?

Yes for BMX racing, which it is designed for. It is not intended for freestyle, with its pegs and repeated landings. Respect the tightening torques and inspect it after every crash.

Do you need to cut the steerer of a new fork?

Usually, yes: the steerer is supplied long to suit every frame. Offer up the fork with the headset, spacers and stem, mark the cut, then cut with a guide. Measure twice before cutting.