Are you trying to figure out what BMX sprocket size is best for your riding style?
You came to the right place!
There are only really two ways of approaching the right sprocket size.
(Which makes picking the perfect gear ratio a lot easier.)
You want to ask yourself these simple questions:
- Do I want to go fast?
- Do I need more initial engagement (for technical tricks)?
This brings us to:
What Is The Best Gearing For BMX?
You would want to opt for a higher gear ratio when answering the first question.
This means increasing the teeth on the front BMX sprocket. The BMX standard rear hub tooth number is 9, so you cannot do anything about it.
But you can put a larger front sprocket to increase the gear ratio.
What sprocket is best for speed?
You’d at least want a 28T sprocket in the front.
However, I recommend jumping straight to 30T.
A 30/9 gear ratio is what Corey Walsh rides – and he goes EXTREMELY fast.
Anything higher than that may make the bike too hard to pedal. But there are dudes out there with 33/9 gear ratios (but I think it’s unnecessary).
What does a smaller BMX sprocket do?
A smaller front sprocket or a lower gear ratio makes pedaling a lot easier.
This is especially handy if you’re into technical street riding.
Still, you can go fast with a 25/9 ratio, but you will need to pedal more.
In short, if you don’t do too much high-speed stuff (and are into street stuff, especially technical jibbing), I recommend picking a smaller front sprocket to lower the gear ratio.
Conclusion: Which BMX Sprocket Size Is Better, Larger Or Smaller?
It depends on the riding style you’re into.
We’re getting back to the initial two questions you need to ask yourself, and here are the answers:
- If you want to go fast, opt for a 30/9 gear ratio.
- If you need more initial engagement and are into technical riding, then you’re safe with a 25/9 ratio.
Aaand that’s all the science behind choosing the right sprocket size to enjoy your sessions more.
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Since we’re on the topic of sprockets, you may also be interested in my collections of the best BMX chains and the strongest half-link BMX chains.
