Hey BMX Plus!,
I have a problem, when I pedal, my crank arm bolts come loose every couple of feet, what should I do?
Harrison Yarrow

Hi,
My name is Haresh, I am 12 and a big fan of your awesome magazine. I just got my bunnyhops right, so now I want to go out and learn some feeble grinds. I have found a place that I can bunny hop onto, but I am just scared that when I try to do the trick my rear peg is not going to get enough height and clip the edge of the ledge and make me flip over my bars. Do you have any tips for me to ace this trick?
Haresh Suganthan

Hi there,
My question is about handlebars. A while back tall and wide handlebars became popular among many riders. I bought a pair of Odyssey Lumberjacks, and also most recently have been riding a pair of S and M Grand Slam XLT’s. Both sets of handlebars have an 8.25” rise, which is great, because I am 6’2” tall.  Also, I feel they give me a lot more leverage for pulling up the front end, and doing tricks like turndowns and tabletops. I keep them pretty wide and when I race they are also great power bars!!  I was just wondering if there is a point where the handlebars are too tall? I know now there are at least 3 companies making 9” tall handlebars. Is there anything that this extra 0.75” would hinder?  Do you think this is overboard even for somebody my size? I kind of think it could also be a little easier on my back, not leaning over quite so much. I am very tempted to run a 9” bar and I am running a top load stem.  What do you think?
Jarret Sperling
Dalmeny, SK Canada.

Q: My brake cable always binds up when I do barspins. Its already a mile long and still locks up the brakes when I spin the bars, even if its only once. When I ride the cable actually snags on my front tire when I go over bumps or land. So please explain to me how guys like Chris Doyle and do double trucks with a straight cable?

Q: When I do no-footers my cranks turn and I always biff it on the guys downstairs. Short of wearing a cup, how can I solve this issue?

Q: I have a problem, I am only 5’1” and want to ride but we don’t have a lot of money. I got my brothers old Haro Backtrail but it was too big so my dad turned the stem backwards and mounted the bars backwards in the stem to make them easier to reach. Everyone keeps laughing and telling me its wrong and its gonna break, is it?

Q: My sister is a better rider then I am and my friends make fun of me, what should I do?
Brad

Q: Dear Mailbag,
My name is Ty Rice and I’m 16. I have been reading your mag for a few years now. I have always wondered about the “freestanding bike”. I think I know how you guys do this. If you look on pg. 34 of the June 2010 issue, you’ll see John Lee is sitting on something while holding his bike. For the bike to stand up you lean it against the wall while it is on the bench. You use the bench to make it seem higher for the camera guy so he doesn’t have to crouch down to get a shot if it was on the ground instead. When using the bench and wall you DONT need any strings or Photoshop.

Q: Hey,
I have a 25/9 gear ratio and a half link chain and when I’m pedaling I will see the bottom of the chain start to loosen while the top stays tight. It makes me mad because when I bunnyhop I hear the chain hitting the bottom of the frame. What should I do?
Thanks

Q: Dear BMXperts,
Hi my name is Gabe Larner from Dewitt, Michigan and I need help on bar-spins. I know you have to grip the seat with your legs and bunny hop and spin the bars but I just can’t get it. If you could help me that would be great.
Keep up the good work!

Q: How do you take out sealed bearings?

Q: What’s a better choice for type of front brakes? Caliper, V-brake, or the U-brake. Another question that I have is: What type of brake pads have the best hold for flatland riding? Also I just started flatland about 9 months ago and I can’t figure out why I cant keep the bike centered on the fork glide trick.
Chris Mentzer

Q: Dear Sir, I was hoping for some advice. My 10-year-old son wants a BMX for his birthday, having previously had a mountain bike. He wants it to ride round with his mates trying the simple and basic tricks. I was hoping to spend around £200. I have seen on the internet 3 different bikes: the Subrosa Salvador street 2009,the GT Slammer 2010, and a Mongoose Program 2010 bike, all for around that price. Could you please tell me which one would be most suitable or of another bike which would be better, as I don’t know any thing about BMX bikes?
Thank you,   
Vanessa Andrews

Hi,
I’m Dustin Dunckel, I am 17 years old from Portland, Oregon and I was writing because I want to know what is up with all the parks that don’t allow bikes? There aren’t any near me that do and today the cops kicked me and a few friends out of a skate park when we don’t have anywhere else to ride. No matter where you go, street or park it’s no bikes. I don’t get it and don’t know where to ride without getting into trouble. So what can I do?

Hello BMXperts,
My little guy is getting started BMX racing. I have been out of it for 24 years but thought I would give it a go in the 40-year-old cruiser class. I used to race Expert and Cruiser quite successfully way back when. I am in excellent physical shape but I am very short at 5’4”.  I am concerned about getting a bike that fits.
Can you help me with:
• Frame sizing, or recommend a specific make/model
• Aluminum versus chromoly
• Crank length
• Anything else you may recommend
Thanks for your help!
Bill