Can you fit any type of brakes to a BMX or are they specific to the frame?

Question

I currently have U-brakes on my BMX but they are broken! Am I able to fit linear-pull or side-pull brakes to it? From studying Diagrams it seems that side pull has the pads above the fittings and U-brakes have them below - Am I wrong in thinking this?

Answer 1

No. The main issue will be frame size. But if the brakes are from the same size frame, they should fit.

Answer 2

Ummmm.... it is POSSIBLE to fit linear pulls where U brakes once were but it isn't a good idea.

Although the extra braking power might be attractive the noodling around with cable routing and brake levers, V brakes are not engineered to work upside down or backwards... heck, they even have arms that are front wheel and rear wheel specific.

Sidepulls might be an option if you remove the brake pivots from the frame, but again it is not an optimum situation.

Answer 3

linear brakes are generally found on bmx frames desingend for racing.  they have the brake bosses above the seat stays.

u brakes, will have the bosses either below the seat stays or on the chain stays.  yours are most likely in one of these two spots so stick with u-brakes.

linear- above-http://www.aventcycles.com/images/TR7Sid...

u-brake- seat stay http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11675110/Dk...

or chain stay http://www.mirrabikeco.com/bikeblog/wp-c...

Answer 4

it ultimately depends on your frame

of it has the right tabs then yes