Trolley_dude Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I've recently bought a bmx and I've found that the bike can be difficult to pull up at the front and hard to push off from a standing start. Im running a 44t chainwheel, is this too large for street? Once ive got some momentum its all good, i can keep the speed coming which i thought would be good for dirt jump... Any comments on which size is best for what sort of riding would be great. Comment comment comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josephine Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 No-one's gonna know anything about your ratio until you post what size freewheel you're running on the back Assuming; however, that you're running 44-16 (which you probably are) then you're probably in exactly the right gearing (By general consent 2.75 is the ideal BMX ratio). Sure, it's hard compared to a trials gears, but your legs'll get stronger, if you lower the ratio much (or at all) you'll probably find it holds you back in parks and stuff 'cause you'll start spinning out Joe x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trolley_dude Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 No-one's gonna know anything about your ratio until you post what size freewheel you're running on the back Assuming; however, that you're running 44-16 (which you probably are) then you're probably in exactly the right gearing (By general consent 2.75 is the ideal BMX ratio). Sure, it's hard compared to a trials gears, but your legs'll get stronger, if you lower the ratio much (or at all) you'll probably find it holds you back in parks and stuff 'cause you'll start spinning out Joe xCheers for that, as you can tell im only new to this... so cut me some slack... Yeah is it the 44-16 so its about right is what ur saying, cheers for your reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopipe Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Cheers for that, as you can tell im only new to this... so cut me some slack... Yeah is it the 44-16 so its about right is what ur saying, cheers for your reply.I'm with her ()I asked exactly the same question when i returned to the darkside a few months back2.75:1 is bang on - it'll just take you a while to get used to after a trials bike but you really do need the speed to get anything done on a bmx. on gerarings....I used to run 42-16 many many years ago (when bikes were short and chrome plated) and quite liked that - although I lacked a bit of top end speed for dirty jumping. I ran 39-14 (2.785:1) for a while and got on quite well with that but I recently dropped to 30-11 (2.72:1) and it's feeling quite a bit nicer - the extra low end acceleration is noticeable on the street but makes buggerall difference in parks. in conclusion...I wouldn't change it until you've got a decent reason - like bending a sprocket (easily done), you're on the standard gearing as it stands so you're in a good place to base your decisions on in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I cant get on with heavy gears on bmxs at all!! I am running 26-16 and that seems pretty nice, if a little hard at times. (I have 24" wheels so an easier gear is also needed compared with 20") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopipe Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I cant get on with heavy gears on bmxs at all!! I am running 26-16 and that seems pretty nice, if a little hard at times. (I have 24" wheels so an easier gear is also needed compared with 20")weak legs it does depend what you do with it though - hucking yourself over dirtyjumps requires a lot of speed whereas techy street stuff doesn't . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskimo Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 (edited) You can do anything with most gears just makes it easier or harder.Fakies are easier with a harder gear. Like poopipe said tech is easier with a lower gear. But it your running a brake then that can help you instead of using pedal power. That may seem weird but tech is I'm running a Odyssey cassette with a 13t cog and 36t sprocket up from. Little more engagement than a freewheel so it helps.[edit] oh yeah i fogot to say..BMX QUESTIONS Edited October 4, 2006 by eskimo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Please use the BMX thread in the FAQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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