Have you ever wondered which BMX hub sounds best and is loud at the same time?
I surveyed 75 BMX riders about their favorite hub sound, and the Profile Elite came out on top.
But loud doesn’t automatically mean good.
Some hubs have a high-pitched buzz, others have a deeper click, and the number of pawls, engagement points, internal design, and lubrication can all change the sound.
I’ve also ridden plenty of cassette hubs myself, so below you can actually listen to some of my favorites and decide which sound you prefer.
This post covers:
- Which BMX hub is the loudest & sounds the best?
- Let’s give BMX hubs with the best sound a listen
- BMX hub sound at fast & low speeds
- What makes a BMX hub loud?
- What about the sound of a freecoaster hub?
- Conclusion: Why do you want a good sounding, loud BMX hub?
- FAQs about BMX hub sound
The quick result after a survey: The Profile Elite hub is the best and most favorite sounding BMX hub.
This comes from extra pawls and additional points of engagement that make this hub stand out from the rest.
The Elite hub has a six-pawl driver with a whopping 204 points of engagement. Yes, not only does this give you a more instant forward motion, but it also creates the unique sound we all like hearing so much.
The inside looks like this:
As an example, the Profile Mini hub has a four-pawl driver and 48 points of engagement – this instantly gives the hub a completely different sound.
One more example – Shadow Definitive cassette hub: It has a three-pawl engagement system and 120 points of engagement.
Honestly, I never really thought about the hub’s sound. Only later in my career, I started getting compliments about how my hub sounds.
I was like, “Does it really sound good? I never thought about it.”
And then I dug deeper, only to realize how many dudes care about the hub’s sound.
I won’t lie – I soon became more aware (and a big fan) of it, too.
Because, HEY, you want a good-sounding hub!
Which BMX Hub Is The Loudest & Sounds The Best?
The Profile Elite is the standout if maximum volume is what you want, but “best sounding” is much more subjective.
I personally prefer a slightly deeper hub sound rather than the highest-pitched buzz possible.
| BMX hub | Riders who liked the sound |
| Profile Elite | 95% |
| Tall Order Drone | 88% |
| Colony Wasp | 86% |
| Shadow Definitive | 84% |
| Fly Bikes Magneto | 82% |
| Animal Javelin | 79% |
Many also said that they really like the Profile Mini hub, but if you want a louder one, the Elite is for you.
It has this distinct sound that you just know is a Profile Elite hub. It has a sweet sound, but in my opinion, it’s a bit too “pitchy.”
I like a hub with a slightly deeper sound more; that’s probably why I’m such a fan of the Animal Javelin hub.
Another hub with a very original sound is the Fly Bikes Magneto hub. That’s because the system is different compared to other cassette hubs.
1. Let’s Listen To The Best-Sounding BMX Cassette Hubs
1.1. Profile Elite Hub Sound
Check out my review of the Profile Racing Elite cassette hub set.
1.2. Tall Order Drone Hub Sound
1.3. Colony Wasp Hub Sound
Learn more about this amazing hub in my full Colony Wasp cassette hub review.
1.4. Fly Bikes Magneto Hub Sound
Need more info about this innovative BMX cassette hub? Then don’t miss reading my Fly Bikes Magneto cassette hub review.
1.5. Animal Javelin Hub Sound
2. BMX Hub Sound At Fast & Low Speeds
I also want to show you how a BMX cassette hub sounds at different speeds.
Here’s an example of my Animal Javelin hub, where you can hear to the hub at high and low speeds.
3. What Makes A BMX Hub Loud?
A BMX hub gets its sound from how the pawls engage the ratchet inside the hub while you’re coasting.
But volume isn’t controlled by just one thing.
A few details can change how loud, sharp, or deep a hub sounds:
- Pawl design: The number, shape, and size of the pawls all affect the sound.
- Engagement points: More engagement points usually mean the clicks happen more frequently, which can create a busier or higher-pitched sound.
- Spring tension: Stronger springs can make the pawls snap into place more aggressively.
- Lubrication: Thick grease can mute the sound, while lighter lubrication can make it sharper and more noticeable.
- Hub shell design: The shape and material of the hub can change how much the sound resonates.
- Coasting speed: The faster the wheel spins, the quicker the clicks come, so the hub naturally sounds more intense.
One thing I wouldn’t do is judge a hub only by how loud it is.
A super-loud hub might sound awesome, but strength, engagement, reliability, and serviceability still matter more in the long run.
4. What About The Sound Of A BMX Freecoaster Hub?
Traditional BMX freecoasters are silent until BSD released the Revolution Hub.
It has a planetary clutch system that makes it feel and sound like a cassette (it’s also lighter than a traditional FC) but with the full functionality of a freecoaster.
Thus, if you’re a fan of a freecoaster but like the sound of a cassette, the Revolution Hub by BSD is probably one of your best options.
This is how the Revolution hub sounds:
Remember, it isn’t the only brand with a planetary clutch system anymore.
Conclusion: Why Do You Want A Good-Sounding, Loud BMX Hub?
If you want the loudest, most unmistakable cassette sound, the Profile Elite is still my first pick.
But louder doesn’t automatically mean better.
I personally prefer a slightly deeper cassette sound, which is why the Animal Javelin has always sounded so good to me.
The Fly Magneto is another standout if you want something different from the usual pawl-and-spring buzz.
The best part is that hub sound doesn’t change how well you ride.
Pick the hub first for strength, engagement, compatibility, and reliability — then treat that crispy cassette sound as the bonus.
FAQs About BMX Hub Sound
How do you make a BMX bike hub louder?
If you want to make your cassette (or freewheel) even louder, you open it and clean out the mechanism of any grease. At this stage, some even leave it dry (but this reduces the hub’s lifespan because it damages a lot quicker – I don’t recommend it). To make it safer, use a very thin layer of thin oil for example – you can even mix grease with WD40.
How do you make a BMX hub more silent?
To make any cassette hub more silent, you open it and add extra grease to the mechanism. But here’s a catch – you should NOT overdo it. Why? Because the pawls might slip under the load, and you don’t want that to happen.
How to maintain a BMX hub?
You must do some “spring cleaning” to your hub. After you take it apart, you can clean it with a (not damp!) cloth and re-lube it.
Remember, the pawls and springs may fly around when you take the cassette apart, so be ready to catch them.
Are the extra points of engagement in a BMX hub necessary?
Simply said, the more points of engagement a hub has, the less slack it will have. A hub with zero slack would be almost impossible to ride, at least when it comes to street and park riding (maybe for flatland?).
Why’s that? Because the very moment you’d land a 180 or a 540 or even just learning fakies on a mellow bank, you’ll need to start pedaling backward.
That might work when you’re learning fakies (on that mellow bank), but for anything else, it’d throw you off your bike before you notice it.
Your hub’s little slack gives you the time to land and pedal back safely.
Why are some BMX hubs so loud?
Some BMX hubs are louder because of their pawl design, spring tension, ratchet shape, engagement system, and lubrication. A hub with sharp engagement and less sound-dampening grease can produce a much louder click or buzz while coasting.
What makes a BMX hub louder?
A BMX hub can sound louder with stronger pawl engagement, lighter lubrication, and a hub shell that resonates more.
Does more engagement make a hub louder?
Not necessarily. More engagement points usually mean more frequent clicks, but the actual volume depends on the pawls, springs, ratchet design, lubrication, and hub construction too.
Are loud BMX hubs better?
No. A loud hub can sound awesome, but volume doesn’t automatically mean better performance.
Do BMX freecoasters make noise?
Some do, but traditional freecoasters are usually pretty much silent compared to cassette hubs when coasting. Planetary freecoasters can sound more cassette-like because of the way their internal engagement systems work.
Does grease make a BMX hub quieter?
Yes, especially if you use a thicker grease. More grease around the pawls and ratchet can dampen the clicking sound, while lighter lubrication usually lets the hub sound sharper.
Is it bad to run a BMX hub dry?
Yes. Running the engagement system completely dry just to make the hub louder can increase wear and damage the internals.
Further reading:
- BMX Hub Types (What Are The Different Hub Styles?)
- 11 Best BMX Front Hubs
- 12 Best BMX Rear Hubs
