Are you interested in BMX sprocket maintenance tips?
I know there’s rarely anyone talking about this, but if you want to keep your sprocket (and chain) for a long time, doing a bit of work on it is necessary.
While you can, you don’t have to clean it, lube it, check for war and tear and other whatnot after every session.
You can do it every other week, heck, even if you do it monthly, you’ll be way ahead of everyone else.
But this isn’t a competition.
I want to encourage you to take care of your sprocket and bike overall.
Trust me, that bit of regular maintenance saves a ton of headaches down the road.
Give your BMX love and it will love you back and help you land tricks and progress faster.
Best BMX Sprocket Maintenance Tips
1. Clean Your Sprocket
Dirt, grime, etc. – that stuff clogs up the sprocket and messes with your chain, making everything work harder and wear out faster.
A clean sprocket means smoother rides and less wear on your chain.
You need the following to do the job: a brush (an old toothbrush works), a rag or cloth, and a degreaser (the good stuff you use on bike parts).
No need to take the sprocket off the bike unless it’s really bad.
Quick Steps:
- First, grab the brush and scrub off any dirt stuck on the sprocket teeth. Get in between those teeth and all around.
- Then, hit it with a bit of degreaser (you can even use WD-40). Spray or dab it on and let it sit for a minute to break down the grime.
- Wipe everything down with your cloth to remove the grease and dirt. Make sure you get all the edges and between the teeth.
- Give it another pass with the brush to get any leftover spots if needed.
- Finally, wipe it down one last time, and you’re good to go.
2. Lubricate The Sprocket & Chain
Without proper lubrication, the metal-on-metal contact between your chain and sprocket starts wearing down faster.
You don’t want that.
Plus, it helps prevent rust, which is always a win.
What kind of lube should you use?
For BMX sprockets, you’ve got two main options: light oil or wax-based lubricants.
Light oil is great if you want something quick and easy. But, it can attract dirt faster.
Wax-based lube is cleaner — it forms a dry layer that doesn’t pick up as much grime, so you’ll spend less time cleaning.
Either works; it just depends on what you prefer.
However, even if you use some cheap grease, it’s better than nothing. However, the cheap grease might need to be re-greased more frequently.
How to lube your sprocket:
- Ensure the sprocket and chain are clean (remember that grime removal we discussed earlier?).
- Apply a small amount of lube to the chain while slowly rotating the pedals backward, spreading it evenly across the chain and sprocket.
- Give the lube a minute to sink in, then wipe off any excess with a cloth. You don’t want too much sitting on the surface – it’ll just attract dirt.
How do you know when it’s time to lube?
Easy.
If your chain starts making that annoying creaky noise or feels sticky when you pedal, it’s time.
Also, if your bike feels like it’s dragging or not running as smoothly as usual, that’s another sign your sprocket and chain need some love.
Keep it lubed, and your bike will thank you with smoother rides!
3. Check For Sprocket Wear & Tear
You’ll first want to check out the teeth.
They should have a nice, even shape. If you start seeing them look sharp or pointy or uneven, that’s a red flag.
Worn teeth can mess with your chain, making it skip or slip.
Now, a bent sprocket is another issue you might not notice right away.
Here’s a quick test: Spin your pedals and watch the sprocket closely. If it wobbles or seems off-center, or the chain has tight spots, that’s a sign it’s bent.
Sometimes, a hard landing or crash can throw it out of shape, so if you’ve had a rough session lately, keep an eye on it.
When should you replace your sprocket?
If you’re noticing any performance issues, like your chain slipping, or you’re just not getting that smooth, connected feel when pedaling, it might be time.
Also, if the teeth look too worn down or you’ve tried straightening a bent sprocket, but it’s still not riding right, don’t wait — just replace it.
4. Align Your Sprocket Properly
If your sprocket is out of line, you’ll notice it pretty quickly — your chain will hop or skip, and the ride just won’t feel right.
Plus, bad alignment can wear down both your sprocket and chain faster.
Nobody wants that!
How do you check for misalignment?
First, just look at it.
Get down eye-level with the sprocket and the chain, and see if everything lines up straight.
If your chain looks like it’s pulling to one side or you notice it hopping when you pedal, you have some misalignment.
Here’s how to realign the sprocket yourself:
When it comes to sprocket alignment, you can use the crank spindle spacers that you get when you buy new cranks.
Add or remove the spacers to realign the sprocket.
You should also check if the rear wheel is off. Sometimes, centering the rear wheel can fix things.
Also, don’t forget to use the spacer that inserts into the sprocket itself for 19mm and 22mm crank spindles.
If you insert the sprocket without this spacer, it only fits the 24mm crank spindles, but these are still pretty rare.
5. Avoid Over-Tightening The Sprocket Bolts
It’s easy to get carried away and crank down on those bolts, thinking tighter is always better (that’s me!) — but that’s not the case here.
Overtightening can actually mess things up. You can strip the bolts, damage your sprocket, or even mess up your crank.
Not cool.
You want those bolts tight but not so tight that you’re putting too much pressure on the metal.
The goal is to secure the sprocket so it doesn’t move or wiggle but not to overdo it.
Just tighten those bolts snugly with an Allen key, but stop when you feel resistance.
And if you worry about them bolts untightening, just use some nail polish on the thread.
6. Sprocket Compatibility With Chain & Crankset
You want to check if the sprocket fits the cranks’ spindle size.
Most modern sprockets come with spacers, but not all.
Also, sprockets come in bolt drive (most common) or spline drive versions. While bolt drive sprockets are compatible with pretty much any crank set, spline drive aren’t.
You can read more on the topic here.
Also, you might want to check for the chain size if you aren’t buying it from a reputable BMX brand. Most BMX chains are either 1/8” (most popular) or 3/32”.
Always read the description so you’re sure you’re getting the right stuff.
Conclusion: Enjoy A Long-Lasting Sprocket!
Keeping your sprocket in top shape doesn’t have to be a hassle.
You also don’t have to pay someone to do it for you – you can easily do it yourself.
Just remember to clean it regularly, lube it up when needed, and check for any wear or alignment issues.
Oh, and don’t forget – tighten those bolts just right and ensure everything is compatible with your chain and crankset.
Trust me, a well-cared-for sprocket = a way more enjoyable session every time.
Further reading:
- How-to: BMX bike maintenance
- Why do BMX bikes have small sprockets?
- BMX sprocket thickness (does it matter?)
- Best BMX Sprockets
- What BMX sprocket size is best?
