Although mountain bikes and road bikes make up for the popular types of bikes globally, BMX is not that far behind.
These bikes incorporate simple designs and operations to handle certain loads and tackle some demanding terrains that road bikes and mountain bikes cannot dare. BMX design has made it famous among children and individuals who love to perform stunts.
Despite having top-notch designs, can BMX bikes have gears? The gearing system of a BMX bike is unique and different from the one you would find in a mountain bike or road bike.
In this article, we shall be answering the question, can BMX bikes have gears? We shall give you an in-depth analysis of the gearing system of a BMX bike. With that said, let’s get started.
Can BMX Bikes Have Gears?
Usually, BMX bikes do not feature gears; however, the thing to consider when it comes to BMX gearing is the number of teeth on the chainring and the sprocket. The ideal pairing of the two is often referred to as the gear ratio. You will only require basic mathematics to determine a gear ratio.
You will have to divide the number of teeth on your chainring by the number of teeth on the sprocket, and the number you get explains the number of times your rear wheel rotates in every rotation of the chainring.
If the number is low, then the easier your pedal, and if the number is high, the harder the pedal (meaning you will need to apply more force).
BMX race bikes are designed to allow bikers to generate massive power and, as a result, incorporate large chainring.
The more progressive a ride becomes, a BMX race bike gearing option becomes more in-depth; due to some discrepancies between tire widths and wheel sizes, it goes beyond gear ratio.
In most cases, BMX racers choose and change the gear ratio to match their rhythm as well as the demand of different racing tracks or to suit their physiological level.
If you are planning on purchasing a BMX bike, you should consider going for one with approximately 55 gear inches since this design often fits the majority of bikers.
The old BMX bike models had bigger gearing in a ratio of 44/16. However, the new models come fitted with small gearings such as 23/8, 22/8, 28/10, 25/9, 30/11, 36/13 and 33/12.
The small gearing ratio makes grinding clear and the cycling process relatively easy and smooth.
What Gear Does A BMX Bike Have?
As stated earlier, nowadays, BMX bikes are equipped with a relatively small gearing system compared to the older models.
Usually, the gear ratio is calculated within 2.8/1 for each gear out there. Therefore, various gearing systems depend on gear inches, gain ratios, roll-outs as well as sprockets.
23/8, 22/8, 28/9, 25/9, 30/9, 27/9, 28/10, 36/16, 36/13, 33/12 and 30/11 are some of the commonly available gear ratios in today’s market.
Therefore, when purchasing a BMX bike, it will fall in one of the gear ratios aforementioned. 28/9 and 27/9 are considered a preferable gear ratio for youngsters.
What Is The Number Of Gears In A BMX Bike?
Usually, BMX bikes are equipped with cassettes and a set of cogs in rear wheels and sprockets in front wheels. The two operate as gears in BMX bikes once they are connected via the chain. The whole set-up helps the wheels rotate and impact the strength of the pedals.
Which BMX Bike Gear Ratio Is The Best?
First and foremost, you will have to calculate the gear ratio of your bike. To do this, you will need to use the method discussed above in the article. The result you will get is the gear ratio of your bike. However, which is the best gear ratio? Or which gear ratio will best suit your needs?
The answer to these questions depends on wheel size and, most importantly, your comfortability. If your BMX bike features significantly large wheels, you will require more teeth and vice versa. Therefore, always go for the BMX bike gear ratio that will best suit your needs.
According to some review statistics, here are the best BMX bike gear ratios to use and why they are considered the best;
1. 25/9 BMX Bike Gear Ratio
This is by far the most popular BMX bike gear ratio out there. It features an approximately 2.78/1 gear ratio. You should note that the less the ratio for your BMX bike is, the better it is for you. Smaller gears tend to make pedaling easy, allowing to propel the bike forward with less effort.
2. 44/16 BMX Bike Gear Ratio
This gear ratio is considered overall the best, and it incorporates 55-gear inches. It is among the oldest BMX models fitted with relatively big wheels, and they are still available in the market and are used by lots of BMX bikers out there.
3. 30/11 BMX Bike Gear Ratio
This is another incredible ratio for the BMX bike. It features a ratio of approximately 2.73/1, making it an excellent ratio to consider. The ratio is pretty much easy and makes pedaling an easy task.
Since there is an array of BMX bike gear ratios available in the market, it is highly recommended to choose one that will best suit your needs. The 2.8/1 or less is the most recommended gear ratio.
Why Are BMX Bikes Equipped With Small Sprockets?
Unlike road bikes and mountain bikes, BMX bikes are designed for performing stunts. As a result, they are often ideal for dirt jumping, off-road as well as performing some sleek tricks. These are traits that cannot be achieved with other types of bikes.
Regular bikes and stunt bikes feature constructive differences that make them stand out from each other. The prime difference is often the sprocket size.
When it comes to BMX bikes, they are equipped with relatively small sprockets; however, what is the reason behind this?
This is because big sprockets reduce the speed of BMX bikes, whereas small versions allow riders to reach incredible speeds.
The best way to achieve incredible speed with your BMX bike is by ensuring that the front sprocket is bigger than the rear sprocket. A well-balanced size makes a BMX bike faster and comfortable when pedaling.
What Are Fixed Gear Bikes?
Also referred to as fixies, fixed gear bikes are types of bikes equipped with one gear drivetrain present on their rear wheels. Therefore, riders using BMX fixies cannot coast and that they have to pedal their bike when it is on the move.
Fixies are one of the easiest bikes to ride since they are not equipped with cranksets, derailleurs or shifters. Some models even do not have brakes. However, you should note that riding a fixed gear bike without a brake is considered illegal in the U.K.
In fixies, the cog is fixed to the bike’s hub; therefore, whenever the rear wheel rotates, it also rotates. This makes the bike’s pedal turn, and this is how a fixie bike operates.
In simple terms, a fixie is a bike with a drivetrain that does not incorporate a freewheel mechanism.
These types of bikes are very common among urban bikers due to their simplicity. Most riders believe that fixie bikes allow them to feel one with their bike along with the road as a unit with full control. However, are BMX bikes fixed gear? Well, let’s find out.
Are BMX Bikes Fixed Gears?
Yes, BMX bikes are fixed gears; however, not all models. These models of BMX bikes have no freewheel mechanism. Nowadays, most BMX bikes come equipped with hubs that allow riders to either freewheel or coast. In this mechanism, a rider can move a bike backwards or forward without pedaling the bike backwards or forward.
Fixed gears feature a simplistic design which has made them grow in popularity. Furthermore, they are relatively light in weight, making them relatively easy to transport.
You will realize how vital this design is if you have proper cycling knowledge, thanks to its simplicity.
The bike is not equipped with brakes; thus, they stop when you stop cycling or pedaling. Riding a fixed-gear BMX bike is undoubtedly fun.
Final Words
BMX bikes feature a gearing system that cannot be found on a mountain bike or a road bike. These bikes incorporate a single gear which makes an actual configuration the most important when it comes to types of riding and the rider’s needs.
A BMX bike equipped with taller gear will find a large ratio between the teeth between the rear cog and the front sprocket. This is the opposite for short gearing.
Since tall gearings are harder to pedal, they require fewer cranks to get to immense speed, making it easier to reach maximum speed within no time.
On the other hand, short gearing is easy to pedal and requires more cranks to attain the top speed; as a result, it takes more time to achieve top speed compared to the tall gearing.
Usually, flatland BMX bikers prefer using short gearings, while the options for other styles tend to vary. BMX racers often prefer using tall gearings.
As we conclude, we hope that you have found this article beneficial and that the question on can BMX bikes have gears? hasbeen answered.
