Best BMX Parts to Upgrade First: A Beginner's Guide

Bought a BMX and wondering what you should upgrade first?

You don't need to replace half of your bike to make it better. In fact, upgrading a few key BMX parts can make a noticeable difference in comfort, performance and style without spending a fortune.

Whether you ride street, park, trails or just cruise around town, the best upgrades are the ones that solve a problem or make your bike better suited to the way you ride.

At Harvester Bikes, we carry a wide selection of BMX parts and accessories, so we've put together this guide to help you figure out where to spend your money first.

1. BMX Grips

If your bike still has its original grips, grips are one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

You're constantly holding onto them, so a comfortable set of grips can make a surprisingly big difference.

Aftermarket grips are available in different lengths, patterns, thicknesses and compounds, giving you plenty of options to find a feel you like.

Why upgrade your grips?

  • Improve comfort

  • Replace worn-out grips

  • Get better control

  • Change the colour or appearance of your bike

  • Find a grip that suits your hands and riding style

Grips are relatively inexpensive, making them one of our favourite first upgrades for a new BMX.

2. BMX Pedals

Your pedals are another important contact point between you and your bike.

If you're riding an entry-level BMX, upgrading the pedals can give you better foot grip and a more secure feeling when riding.

There are plenty of BMX pedals available in both plastic and metal designs. Plastic pedals are lightweight and affordable, while metal pedals can provide a different feel and are popular with riders who want a more robust platform.

When buying replacement pedals, make sure you get the correct spindle size for your cranks.

A good set of pedals can be one of the best upgrades for the money because you notice them every time you ride.

3. BMX Tires

Your tires are the only part of your BMX that actually contacts the ground, so they can have a major effect on how your bike feels.

Changing tires can alter your grip, rolling feel, weight and even the appearance of your bike.

For example, a street rider may want a smooth or semi-slick tire, while someone riding dirt may prefer a tread pattern designed for loose surfaces.

Tire width is another consideration. Wider BMX tires can provide more air volume and a different feel, while narrower tires can feel quicker and lighter.

If your tires are worn out, cracked or damaged, replacing them should obviously move near the top of your upgrade list.

4. BMX Handlebars

Your handlebars have a major influence on your riding position.

If your current bars feel too short, too narrow or simply don't feel right, upgrading them can make your BMX much more comfortable.

Bar height and width should be considered based on your height, riding style and personal preference. Taller riders often prefer taller bars, while riders looking for a more compact setup may prefer something shorter.

You can also choose between different bar styles and materials, including popular two-piece and four-piece designs.

Why upgrade your bars?

  • Change your riding position

  • Get the height you prefer

  • Change the width

  • Reduce weight

  • Add strength

  • Customize the appearance of your BMX

If you're changing your bars, make sure they're compatible with your stem before ordering.

5. BMX Seat and Seat Post

Your seat might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to performance upgrades, but it's an easy way to change the comfort and appearance of your BMX.

Different BMX seats use different mounting systems, so it's important to make sure your replacement seat works with your existing seat post or choose a compatible seat-and-post combination.

A new seat can also be a great way to add a colour or style that matches the rest of your bike.

6. BMX Cranks

Once you've taken care of the smaller upgrades, you can start looking at more significant components.

Your cranks are an important part of the drivetrain because they transfer your pedal input to the rear wheel.

If you're upgrading an older or entry-level BMX, moving to a quality three-piece chromoly crankset can be a significant upgrade.

Crank length is another consideration. While many adult BMX bikes use similar crank lengths, different riders may prefer different lengths depending on their bike and riding style.

When replacing cranks, you also need to make sure the bottom bracket and spindle specifications are compatible.

7. BMX Sprocket

A new sprocket is another way to change the appearance of your BMX while upgrading the drivetrain.

Sprockets are available in different tooth counts and materials, so make sure you understand your current gearing before changing sizes.

A different sprocket size can change your gear ratio and therefore affect how the bike feels when accelerating and pedaling.

For most riders, however, a sprocket upgrade is more about fine-tuning the drivetrain and customizing the bike than being the first upgrade they need to make.

8. BMX Chain

Your chain is easy to overlook until it starts causing problems.

A worn or damaged chain can affect the reliability of your drivetrain, so replacing it when necessary is important.

If you're customizing your BMX, a new chain can also add a bit of colour and style to the build.

There are different BMX chain constructions available, including standard full-link and half-link chains. Half-link chains can provide more precise chain length adjustment and are popular on many freestyle BMX setups.

9. BMX Stem

Your stem connects the handlebars to the fork and plays an important role in the feel of your cockpit.

Changing the stem can allow you to alter the position of your bars and customize your setup.

If you're replacing your handlebars at the same time, make sure the stem and bars use compatible clamp diameters.

A new stem can also be a great way to add some colour to a custom BMX build.

10. BMX Wheels

Wheels are one of the bigger upgrades, but they can make a significant difference.

A quality wheelset can improve the overall feel of your BMX and may provide a combination of strength, durability and weight savings depending on the components you choose.

If your existing wheels are damaged or constantly need to be trued, replacing them may be a better investment than continuing to repair an older wheelset.

For riders building a custom BMX, wheels are definitely a component worth spending some time researching.

What BMX Parts Should I Upgrade First?

If you're working with a limited budget, you don't need to upgrade everything at once.

We'd recommend starting with the parts that you interact with the most:

Budget-Friendly Upgrades

1. Grips

Improve comfort and give your bike a new look.

2. Pedals

Improve foot grip and personalize your setup.

3. Tires

Change the feel and performance of your BMX.

4. Seat

An easy way to improve comfort and style.

Bigger Upgrades

Once you're ready to spend more, consider:

5. Handlebars

Change your riding position and cockpit feel.

6. Cranks

A significant drivetrain upgrade.

7. Wheels

A larger investment that can make a major difference to the bike.

8. Fork or frame

These are generally better considered when you're ready for a much more substantial build.

Street vs Park: Does It Change What You Should Upgrade?

Absolutely.

Your riding style should influence your upgrades.

Street BMX

Street riders may prioritize:

  • Durable tires

  • Wider handlebars

  • Larger decks on their BMX setup

  • Strong cranks

  • Pegs

  • Hub guards

  • Durable wheels

Street riding can put a lot of stress on your components, so durability is often an important consideration.

Park BMX

Park riders may prioritize:

  • Lower weight

  • Responsive tires

  • Comfortable bars

  • Lightweight wheels

  • A compact setup

The goal isn't necessarily to make the bike as strong and heavy as possible. Instead, park riders often look for a balance between strength and weight.

Do I Need to Upgrade a Brand-New BMX?

Not necessarily.

If you've just bought a new BMX, ride it first.

This is one of the best pieces of advice we can give.

You may think you need taller bars or different tires before you've even ridden the bike, but spending some time on your current setup will tell you much more.

After a few rides, you'll start noticing things like:

"I want taller bars."

"I need more grip from my pedals."

"I'd prefer a wider tire."

"I want a longer top tube."

That's when upgrading makes sense.

Instead of replacing parts because someone online told you they're better, you'll be replacing them because you know what you want to change.

Don't Forget Compatibility

One of the most important things to remember when buying BMX parts is that not every part works with every BMX.

Before ordering an upgrade, check things like:

  • Handlebar and stem compatibility

  • Crank and bottom bracket compatibility

  • Pedal spindle size

  • Tire and frame clearance

  • Wheel axle size

  • Fork compatibility

  • Seat and seat post compatibility

  • Brake compatibility

If you're unsure, check the manufacturer's specifications or talk to a BMX shop before purchasing.

The Best BMX Upgrade Is the One You Actually Need

There's no single upgrade that's perfect for every rider.

A beginner might get the biggest benefit from new grips and pedals.

A rider who has been riding for years might be looking for a new wheelset or crankset.

Someone building a custom BMX may have completely different priorities.

The key is to upgrade based on your bike, your riding style and what you want to improve.

You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars immediately.

Start small, ride your bike and upgrade as you progress.

Shop BMX Parts at Harvester Bikes

At Harvester Bikes, we carry a wide selection of BMX parts and accessories, including grips, pedals, tires, handlebars, cranks, sprockets, chains, stems, wheels, forks and more.

Whether you're replacing a worn-out part, upgrading your first BMX or building a completely custom setup, we've got parts for riders at every level.

Start with the upgrade that makes the most sense for your riding, and build your BMX from there.

Your bike doesn't have to be perfect on day one.

Ride it. Figure out what you like. Upgrade it. Make it yours.

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