What they do: Grips are the rubber sleeves on your handlebars. They’re the main point of contact between you and the bike.

Why to upgrade: Stock grips can feel hard or slippery, or wear out fast. A better set will:

• Give you more comfort on longer sessions

• Absorb more impact when you land

• Help your hands stay put even when they’re sweaty

• More expensive rubber mixes are more durable, coping better with sweat & scuffs so they last longer

• Loads of styles & colours are available, making it an easy way to add personality to your bike
  
  

Bang vs buck: 5/5. This is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make and the difference is instant.

Things to know:

• Grips are universally sized and will fit any BMX bars.

• Some riders prefer a flanged grip (where each grip has a big rubber disc on the inside edge) while others prefer flangeless. It’s mostly a matter of trying them out and seeing what looks & feels best to you.

• Some grips will include bar ends (caps that protect your bars), but we also have plenty of bar ends available separately in a bunch of styles, colours & materials.

• You can use grip glue to help the grips slide on and keep them secure, although household lubricants like WD40 (or even hairspray) work just as well and are easier to remove when it’s time to swap out your grips.
  
  

👉 Check our BMX grips buyer’s guide and how-to install guide.

What they do: Push pedal make bike go.

Why to upgrade: Stock pedals are often heavy and can feel slippery. Upgraded pedals usually mean:

• Better grip to keep your feet in place

• Stronger, more durable materials

• A lighter overall feel

• Lots of colours available, making it another easy way to personalise your bike

Bang vs buck: 4/5. A small cost for a big boost in confidence and safety.

Things to know:

• BMX pedals generally have a 9/16" or (less often) 1/2" thread. Check your bike’s specs, but two- or three-piece cranks usually mean a 9/16" thread, while cheaper one-piece threads use 1/2" (all of our bikes will have the crank type in their Product Specs section of their product page).

• Nylon pedals are light and affordable. Alloy pedals are stronger and grippier, but can be harsher on your shins.

• Use a fixed 15mm spanner or pedal wrench - adjustable spanners can often be too fat to fit between the pedal and the crank, preventing you from fully tightening the pedal.

• Pedals come in pairs with a left and right - they’ll be labelled with which is which. The threads on the right pedal will screw in normally, while the left pedal will have reversed threads so you’ll need to turn them ‘the wrong way’ to get them off and on.
  
  

What they do: Seats give you somewhere to rest when you’re cruising and help with control when you pinch the bike for tricks.

Why to upgrade: Stock seats are often bulky or uncomfortable. An upgrade can:

• Save a bit of weight
• Improve comfort
• Let you pick a style or colour that suits you

Bang vs buck: 4/5. Not a performance game changer, but great for comfort and personal style.

Things to know:

• There are different seat/post systems (pivotal, tripod, railed and stealth).

• Most modern freestyle BMXs use pivotal seats, which are the most adjustable.

• Tripod seats are light yet strong, making them popular for racers.

• Pivotal seats are the most adjustable.

• Stealth seats are less common - they work the same as pivotal seats, but are adjusted from underneath. They’re usually a bit more expensive but give a cleaner look.

• Seat height is personal. Most street and park riders run them low.

• Swapping seats is really easy - usually a single bolt job

👉 See our BMX seat buyers guide and how to install a pivotal seat & post

What they do: Tyres affect grip, speed, and cushioning.

Why to upgrade: Stock tyres can be heavy or not ideal for your riding surface. Upgrading can give you:

• Treads that are specifically designed for street, park, or dirt riding
• A lighter bike that’s easier to throw around
• Better puncture protection

Bang vs buck: 4/5. You’ll notice a real change in how your bike feels.

Things to know:

• Standard freestyle BMX tyres are usually between 2.2" and 2.4" wide.

• Wider tyres give more grip and cushioning, narrower ones are lighter and faster.

• Make sure your frame and fork have clearance for wider tyres

• Adjust pressure to suit your riding. Generally, higher for ramps and park, lower for street.
  
  

What they do: Bars affect your riding position and give you leverage for steering and tricks.

Why to upgrade: Stock bars can be heavy or the wrong size for you. Better bars can mean:

• A more comfortable position
• Stronger, lighter materials
• A style that suits you

Bang vs buck: 3/5. A medium-sized investment, but can make a big difference to comfort if your current bars don’t quite feel right.

Things to know:

• Bar height (rise) should suit your size. Taller riders usually prefer taller bars.

• Width should roughly match your shoulders.

• Two-piece bars are usually a bit lighter, four-piece is usually a big stronger. It's as much a style choice as anything else.

👉 See our BMX handlebar buyers guide and installation instructions

What they do: The chain links your pedals to your back wheel. Without it you’re not going anywhere.

Why to upgrade: Stock chains can stretch over time or even snap under high stress. A stronger chain means:

• Better reliability & longevity
• Smoother pedalling
• The option to add colour or style with half-link chains

Bang vs buck: 3/5. Maybe not the most exciting upgrade, but it’s one you’ll be glad you made.

Things to know:

• Most freestyle BMX bikes use a single-speed 1/8" chain.

• Full-link chains are available in 410 or 510 construction. 410 is lighter and cheaper, but more susceptible to damage, while 510 is more able to take the punishment of hard landings.

• Half-link chains give finer length adjustment and are stronger than even 510 full-link chains, but are also heavier.

• Keep your chain clean and lubricated to avoid premature wear.

👉 See our BMX chain installation guide

You don’t need to replace half your bike to make it better. Start with the small, affordable changes like grips and pedals, then move on to tyres, bars, and chains as you get more confident. Each change makes your bike feel more like your own and helps you ride in more comfort and control.

For more, check out our BMX buyer’s guides and maintenance videos for step-by-step advice or get in touch with our team if you have any questions at all!