If you’ve ever wondered what side should you grind on a BMX bike, I’ll keep it all very clear for you through this article.
I’ve received a lot of questions from you dudes about what side BMX pegs go on, so here’s everything you need to know.
The most general approach to deciding on which side you’ll grind is looking at which foot you have forward.
For most, if you are right foot forward, that’ll be your DOMINANT grind side. And if you’re left foot forward, you’ll likely want to grind on the left.
An exception are goofy footed BMX riders, whose dominant grind side is the opposite of their front foot. But they also tend to spin the “wrong” way.
For most riders, if you’re right foot is forward (like mine), you’ll spin counterclockwise, but a goofy footed rider will spin clockwise.
Yes, it’s a little confusing.
What’s also worth mentioning is that with time, you’ll easily notice who’s goofy footed and who’s not.
Anyway, back to pegs.
How Do You Decide Which Side BMX Pegs Go On?
| Foot placement | Grind side |
| Right foot forward | Right |
| Left foot forward | Left |
If you’re just starting out and rotate towards your back foot, I recommend putting pegs on the side of your forward foot. Also, use this side as your dominant grind side.
Of course, you can put all four pegs on your bike, grind on both sides and then decide which you like more (this is more for those who aren’t sure if they’re goofy footed).
However, if you are into grinding and eventually plan to grind on both sides, I recommend you start playing with the OPPOSITE site as soon as possible.
The sooner you become comfortable with opposite grinds (but learn regular ones first), the better.
Trust me; you’ll thank yourself later.
What Is The Best Side For BMX Pegs For Newbies?
As a newbie, you might want to start with just two pegs. Put them on the side of your forward standing foot.
- So if you are right foot forward, you’ll have your pegs on the right side.
- And if you are left foot forward, you’ll have your pegs on the left side.
This also makes it easier for you to pull peg stalls on quarters because you’re spinning toward the back foot.
Can Pegs Go On The Same Side As Your Chain?
Yes, you can put pegs on the same side as your BMX chain.
I’ve been riding it like this for many years because back in the day, there were no left side drive hubs, just right side, and my dominant grind side is on the right.
While the chain gets in the way and there’s a higher chance of breaking it, that’s not the case anymore.
Why?
Because you can put a hub/chain guard (a must!) on and use a guarded sprocket. Both of these parts are useful if you are using all four pegs.
But if you’re using just two pegs, get a rear BMX hub with the drive side on the opposite side.
Do BMX Pegs Fit All BMX Types?
Yes, all pegs fit all modern freestyle BMX bikes. You only need to be cautious about the front and rear axle sizes.
Most bikes today have a 10mm axle in the front and a 14mm axle in the back. Thus, you need pegs that fit the axles.
But generally speaking, all BMX pegs are universal – available only in the two mentioned axle hole sizes.
More and more BMX brands sell only pegs with a 14mm hole but with adapters for 10mm for front hubs. VERY convenient.
For more on this topic, check a guide on BMX peg size, and make no mistake. (I also talk about BMX peg length.)
What BMX Peg Types Are There?
There are three main BMX peg types you can get: Chromoly, Alloy and plastic.
But if you want to learn more about these, you don’t want to miss my article on BMX peg types.
I prefer plastic.
Also, you’ll find my lists of the best BMX plastic pegs (I prefer these) and best BMX metal pegs useful if you’re buying new ones.
Conclusion: Find Your Grind Side Easily
As mentioned earlier, if you’re unsure which side of your BMX bike to put pegs on and grind on, use the “foot-forward” technique.
It’s a little trickier for goofy footed riders, but it’s generally just the opposite of what you would consider “normal.”
However, I ENCOURAGE everyone to play with opposite grinds as soon as possible, especially if you are planning to progress to using all four of your pegs.
It’s the same for spinning tricks, master spinning in one direction, but don’t forget about the opposite.
Master. The. Basics.
