Do BMX Bikes Have Gears? (Comprehensive Answer!)
There was a heated debate and controversy following announcements that UCI BMX champion Twan van Gendt would be riding a two-speed bike during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics racing BMX. You read that right – a two-speed BMX bike. “Do BMX bikes have gears?” you may ask.
BMX bikes typically come with single-speed gears, meaning they have only one gear. The difference lies in the ratios of the gears for older-generation BMX bikes and some more modern ones with a gear ratio of 44/16. But, the latest BMX bikes use gear ratios as high as 30/9 or 28/9, 25, 25/9, 24/9, or even 22/8.
Do BMX Bikes have Gears? The Info
Constant changes and innovations are expected within the cycling world, and BMX biking is not exempt. However, the fundamentals stay the same.
Higher gears, like the 44/16, enable you to pedal faster and with a more efficient cadence. The term “cadence” in terms of the form of RPM (revolutions per minute) is the number of processes the pedal produces within a minute.
A rider will experience more smooth acceleration using higher gear ratios but with a slower top speed. Conversely, lower percentages of gears allow riders to ride with ease and at a steady speed.
With all the advancements in the cycling world, it is possible to ask why BMX bikes still have single-speed gears.
The reason why BMX Bikes are Single-speed Gears
BMX bikes have single gears, mainly due to these reasons:
Mechanical Simplicity
Oscar Wilde stated, “Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.” The same statement is also applicable in the case of BMX biking. It is an extreme sport that involves complex gravity-defying and decisive actions; shifting gears can be an additional task that the rider does not need.
There’s no need to debate the gear you should shift to when using single-speed gears. All you have to do is apply the power to the pedal, and you’re ready to perform your next feat. In addition, the absence of cables and levers that shift gears allows for more straightforward tricks and stunts.
Incredibly, some riders with multispeed gears are not able to change gears. They constantly worry that something could happen. A single-speed system makes things simpler and removes the driver’s worry.
1. Easier Maintenance
There are fewer moving parts in a single-speed gearing system. A BMX rider’s main concerns are the tension of the chain, the pressure of the tire, and the brake system. When it comes to the multispeed bike, on top of these issues, consideration has been given to shifting and derailleur lever systems as well.
2. Reduced Weight
Bike BMX has a simple structure that helps minimize their weight. Particular BMX bikes, like Park riding, need minimum weight. A single-speed gear plays a vital role in reducing weight.
3. Durability
Multispeed gear systems have the lever and derailleur mechanisms fail, causing most of the issues. Single-speed gear systems in BMX have a longer life as they don’t contain these systems.
4. More Affordable
A bike’s upfront cost largely depends on hubs, levers, cables, derailleur systems, cranksets, etcetera. Most of these components aren’t included in the single-speed gear system. So, the price and not the value are typically less.
Additionally, because some of the mentioned components are not available for single-speed gears, there’s no expense for their replacement. They are not available.
You’ve learned that BMX bikes come with single-speed gears, and the reason for that being the scenario, wouldn’t it be helpful to know what gear ratio is currently in use? We’ll give you the best way to determine your gear ratio and what ratio is best for every BMX segment.
How Do I Know My BMX Gearing Ratio?
Find how many teeth are inside the sprocket. Divide by the number on the rear cog to calculate the ratio of your gear. Multiply the result by the size of your wheel. If you have older BMX bikes, The front sprocket teeth are numbered 44, and the cog teeth on the rear are numbered 16.
The gear ratio for a 20-inch diameter wheel will be 44/16 divided by 20 for 55. Modern BMX bikes have a higher or equal balance with smaller sprockets.
To determine the rollout, which is the amount of distance covered in a single pedal turn, increase the gear inch ratio with pi (3.14). Thus, a 20-inch bike can travel 172.7 inches in the pedal (3.14 + 55).
What Gear Ratio Works for Each BMX Discipline?
Ensure the ideal gearing ratio is on the bike’s original components. Currently, all BMX bikes have a gearing ratio of 25t/9t, like this Odyssey La Guardia Grip (Check the item on Amazon).
If you plan to alter the ratio of your gear, it is essential to know your motive behind choosing an exact gear ratio. Why? A tooth going up or down can impact the ride or performance of your bicycle.
It’s essential to remember that the more significant the number of teeth on your front sprockets, the greater your top speed. Fewer teeth on your front sprocket will result in more substantial acceleration.
Thus, knowing the exact reason for shifting gears will help you understand the best way to go about it and adjust accordingly.
The Best BMX gear ratio for BMX Racing
In BMX racing, the first 30 yards are vital. This is where the race is usually decided by the first 30 feet. Therefore, a racer must have the speed to get on top of the pack at the start of the turn. Then being the winner is nearly a guarantee.
Race BMX bikes feature a higher gearing ratio, giving an extra speed boost. Riders can achieve more incredible speeds by using larger front sprockets or small rear gears.
BMX racers are using 46t/16t or classic 44t/16t sprockets, such as Haro Team Vintage (View on Amazon)
BMX Gear Ratios for Street Riding
The ratio of 25/9 is ideal for riding on streets. This gear ratio is excellent for quick run-ups that require some cranking. It is also a great option for street-riding techniques like ledge-riding easily with this ratio.
BMX Gear Ratio. Park Riding
The 25/9 ratio is also well for Park riding tricks and tricks. The sprocket cannot strike the coping edges while riding because of its smaller dimensions. If your riding involves jumping that requires shifting between them, you should choose the bigger sprocket with 28 teeth. Most BMXers have changed to the 28-tooth sprocket, such as this black Ops (View here on Amazon), to increase their versatility and greater control.
BMX Gear Ratios for Dirt Riding
Most Trail or Dirt BMX riders prefer larger front sprockets with 30, 31, 32, or 30 teeth. They are more extensive because fewer obstacles could harm them during dirt riding. With the larger sprockets, the power transmission of the pedal is more efficient. The bike is also comfortable and has excellent stability.
BMX Gear Ratio to Flatland Riding
Flatland riders usually use a less popular range of gearing rates, such as 22, 23, and 24 teeth on the rear sprocket. With this pocket, the bike stays small and can be used for spins and other tricks. There are some tricks to be found in Flatland. Perhaps that’s the reason Flatland is described in the form of “artistic cycling with a blend of breakdancing”!
Maintenance of BMX Drivechains and Gear Components
Check your bike’s condition before you go out to ride.
Here are some things to look up:
Look for worn patterns in the chain link and rust within the chain. Use lubricants like Purple Extreme or Muc-Off Dry Lube to clean corroded or rusty chains.
Be alert for worn-out or leaning teeth in the sprocket. If you notice teeth that are slanting, then take the sprocket out and put it on a large piece of cloth or wood.
Get another piece of wood and gently hit it with a hammer to straighten the teeth that are leaning. If you observe the teeth are leaning cycling and do not have the tools, put the bicycle lying on its side, and then utilize a stone or wooden for straightening the teeth.
People Also ask
How many gears do BMX Bikes Come With?
Single-speed bikes like BMX are equipped with one cog on the rear wheel. To determine how many speeds a bike is fitted with to offer, take note of the number of front sprockets, then multiply that number by the total number of cogs in the rear.
What are the gears that work on A Bike for BMX?
BMX bikes with two-gear speeds are operated by many cogs, mainly two. One cog uses the traditional BMX race gearing. The second cog has smaller dimensions to make the pedal more difficult. A lever placed on the handlebars allows you to switch between speeds.
Are BMX Bikes fixed gear?
BMX bikes aren’t fixed-gear bicycles. Fixed-gear bikes, also referred to as fixes, including the wheel and hub at the rear connected. Thus, the pedal turns as the wheel in the rear turns. It is impossible to stop pedaling on a fixed-gear bicycle and, therefore, cannot ride.
BMX bikes aren’t fixed-gear bikes since riders can cruise.
Can You Put Gears On A BMX Bike?
You can install gears on the BMX bike. However, you will need to make some adjustments before making the switch. In the beginning, BMX bikes do not come with hangers for derailleur. It is necessary to use adaptors.
Alternatively, you can use an ultra-short cage model like the Shimano Zee Shadow Plus attached to the axle. The drawback is that your derailleur would be further away from the ground and, therefore, more susceptible to damage.
It is also possible to use internal gear hubs. The gears and lubricants inside the internal driven hub are enclosed in the shell and are not exposed to elements. They’re typically durable and maintenance-free.
Unfortunately, hubs that are internally geared aren’t able to handle extreme stress. If you choose the internally-geared hubs option, be sure the riding styles and BMX segment are more inside the “calm” side.
In other words, the hub’s complexity can make roadside repairs difficult in the event of failure.
In conclusion, Do BMX Bikes Come With Gears?
Typically, BMX bikes come with single-speed gears, which have various gear ratios. This article has discussed the different gear ratios. Many riders have attempted to promote multiple-speed BMX bikes. Some BMX enthusiasts are not pleased with this. If the trend is booming or not is something to be seen in the future.