TINY GEARSETS DESTROYED BMX!

In today's video EPIC BMX's ( / _epicbmx ) Phu Vu gives us all the information about one of the most radical changes in BMX in the last 20 years! The changing of the sprocket from 44 tooth, to 39T, 36T , 33T, 30T, 28T, 25T and even as small as 22 Tooth chainrings! This change in the gearset was one of the most impactful technological changes in recent memory!
#BMX #sprockets #gearsets
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[@yfitzmorris]

I run 28/9 and love it

[@sandy_knight]

Great video 👍 I'd add, as a general rule a smaller sprocket/chainring and shorter chain will wear more quickly than a bigger drivetrain but for freestyle BMX the clearance and weight advantages far out-weigh slightly accelerated wear.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

That’s a real good point Sandy!

[@otavioraupp]

I looove my odyssey 13t F/W, i still have it, I rode 36/13 on my #2 bike until recently. But to me, riding 25x9 or even 30x10 is way too small (23x8 is just ridiculous). I ride 32x11 on my #1 bike, and I would ride something like a 33x12 too, I think it's the perfect weight/size/wear balance. As for hitting the coping... just hop and dive in! 🤘🤘

[@bigbird7838]

I’m 44 and just got back into bmx and I was like what the hell is with these tiny sprockets lol 😂

[@danielanderson8502]

Same here. I’m 49!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Hahaha it’s a noticeable difference for sure

[@JeffyJæmes]

Bro, we are all getting back into it at 40. Pretty sure 78% of bmx youtube videos have a guy commenting "hey im 40 and getting back into it" I've been that guy and replied to those guys a few times.

[@JeffyJæmes]

Also, I only say bro because my kids say that 3367383743838283 times a day, so it is part of my vocabulary now. I normally don't say bro to other adults, unless I/We are mocking how stupid our children talk. Ok thanks, bye for now.

[@jonsharman6853]

I’m 46 and got back in to it a year ago, dusted down my mid school bike and thought if 25/9 is the norm now I guess I have to try it but I’m not happy about it, it was of course so much better and wouldn’t go back, still riding my mid school mongoose tho, it’s indestructible

[@roberttaylor8952]

Remember having the GT "Compact Disc" chainwheel, with the GT logo on it, maybe a 43? Also remember hanging up on disasters terribly as well.😮😂

[@s_wggns]

Maybe around 2004ish I got the Standard Bash chainwheel it was 36t, that was small as hell for the time.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

That was a dream sprocket 🤩

[@ericisabadbadman3978]

One of the first sprockets I bought was a 36t profile black jack

[@634233284]

I use a 44 - 13 & I love it

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Godly setup

[@OMGtheEbolaVirus]

I run 22-9 and I love it.

[@lconthebeat]

25-9 for me but ive ran 30-9 and gotta say i liked the extra speed

[@gregwilliamsono9360]

I totally didn't understand this! Thank you for making this video! Just came across your today channel today..im stoked I found it!

[@iStayKrafty]

I just hated get my jeans caught mid sessions and having a rip all the way up my leg.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

That was traumatizing for sure!

[@iStayKrafty]

@@AlfredoMancuso terrible on the whitey tightey days lol

[@csj9619]

25/10 for freestyle bikes 39/17 for racing (type) bikes are common and both happy medium gearings. Easy start, fairly easy pop and still have some sprinting ability.

[@danielthespringerspaniel2047]

Was wondering if anyone knows why my stem is making a crack noise when I push or pull on them forks are tight so nothing is moving that shouldn't thanks

[@Chuckster1963]

When I raced BMX in the late 70’s, I ran a 40 / 14, a Roger Decoster frame and Redline fork.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

40T must have been hard to find

[@Chuckster1963]

@@AlfredoMancuso I don’t remember it being difficult, but that was a long time ago! I used a Takagi spider with a Ashtabula crank.

[@M4c223c]

Mid 90’s I was racing ABA with 46/16 with 187.6 mm cranks. I’m 6’1 so I was cranking for speed

[@benedicttan-re2cx]

5:06 - "I don't have a crack scale" - LOL

[@nightshadefern162]

My redline came with 41/14 (2.92), I went to 39/14(2.78) to try to get close to that magical 44/16 (2.75). The mini gears might add a bit of extra stress on the chain over time, but mostly they are just ugly. One thing, with the larger gears, fine tuning is easier. going from a 44 to a 43 or 45 just tunes it slightly to you and your preferred setup. With the smaller gears, a one tooth change is an amplified change, or about equivalent to a two tooth change on the larger gear set. Maybe its a fair trade for weight, but its not for me, Ill take the big gears.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

The rule of thumb when downsizing or upsizing is 3 teeth in the from and 1 tooth in the back so you’d go 22:8 then 25:9

[@doctajuice]

That's why they still use them in racing

[@swiftxrapid919]

We have half link chains now for fine tuning way better then before. Especially since modern bmx frames have built in chain tensioner.

[@HowdThatHappen__]

Can you run an old school free-wheel with a 28 t chainring?

[@chrisboston5416]

This video was absolutely amazing. As someone who rode BMX back in 2001-2005 I grew up on the 44T/16T. I actually ran that FBM and S&M sprocket you have on the table haha. So when I came back around BMX (I stopped riding in 2005 but still like to look at the bikes today), noticing the smaller sprockets and cogs blew my mind. It made no sense to me haha. So the video was funny, brought back memories, and was informative for us older gen guys. Just imagine having that technology back in the day with those beefy ass Haro and Standard frames haha. I've watched your other videos on the new chains and cogs/flywheels those were interesting as well. I don't remember cassettes really being a thing back in 05? I'd say probably 95% of us all used flywheels. It's honestly good to see some of these older company's still around such as S&M, Kink, and Fit. Keep these videos up please not ust to inform but for us older guys who miss the old days of riding and just enjoy the trips down memory lane. Thank you for what you're doing. I should add do riders still not do sprocket grinds anymore? Hell back in the day we even had sprocket guards on those monstrous things haha. With them being so small is it even still possible to do?

[@MadMetalShop]

Im still running an original haro grind disc on my 01 mira 540 air 🤣

[@riskydeth1216]

I'm 13 and I run 16:44 I like it because I prefer to go fast and its better to catch up with everyone and go faster than them. and i ride a 2008 HARO Backtrail

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Nice! Whatever works for you!

[@RobUKleencom]

Thanks for the reEducation of BMX broski. Useful info and chill vibes with your crew always. 😎

[@MZRFaith]

I had a newer Haro 300.1 and it was like a hamster on a wheel... Still a fan of midschool bmx the most, heavy sturdy and fast.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Haha feels unreal to pedal so much

[@toddh281]

44 just got my GT so much has changed from my days

[@ericesquivel1287]

You got the best videos. Thanks man!

[@Taino-Photos]

I started on 44-16, then went to 36-13 and been at 25-9 on a freecoaster for long time now. It's great not to have to worry about the driver getting messed up in grinds being it's small and having a hub guard for it, but when I had the 44-16 and 36-13 I had the HTP(HOME TOWN PRODUCTS) dropout protector to help especially being I had the aluminum 2hip pork at the time

[@fredoindakut]

anyways im dealing witha pop on my bike im guessing the worn out sprockets havent brokew in with teh new chain

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Or improper drive train alignment

[@pauljames4510]

I remember one of my friends running 23/8 gearing his chain where'd out quicker and went to 25/9 gearing, back in the day the gearing I went through 44/16 45/16 36/13 33/10 26/9 25/9 still on now 👍🚲💨

[@leonhhernandezfelici741]

Hey was up where you guys located I need parts for my restoration bike

[@michelletapiz6462]

Great info. Love the explanation. I am building a pit bike for my son to add to his collection. This helps me a lot when I am ready to purchase the cog,chain and chainring. Thanks.

[@michaelbuddy]

The clearance is a huge factor.

[@michaelwhite9288]

I’m 46yrs old and been buying and building the bmx’s from my time but it makes since. I did notice the new age have the smaller sprockets but if the gear ratio is the same and lighter then it’s a win.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Exactly 🫡

[@WLS_Churchill]

I'm still using a one piece crank and a 36/12 gear set... I'm this old ?! Daaaaaamn...

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Haha yes

[@andrewway3404]

Will a 44/10 work on an old school bmx with 24" wheels?

[@kipdrippers]

What is a good gear ratio if I use a 33 tooth sprocket? On a 26 inch bike I am saying that because the wheels make a difference also

[@ryancarlson5644]

Is that the chain ring from pink and white gt episode that needs to be completed in a update video?

[@SAMDARKify]

That' FBM sprocket is beautiful

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Yes!!

[@Itskylewalker]

When I was a kid I couldn’t afford a cassette hub. So I rode a 25t to 16. 😂😂😂

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Oh me and my brother @mancobra did the same 😂

[@ronchavez5193]

What current frames have clearance for a bigger gear ratio?

[@kirkoglesby6175]

Got a ticket for running too fast in a school zone. 44/15 B.S.O. had no sense of humor. I was just going slightly over 35mph. Damn I miss the 80's. 😂

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Hahahahahaha

[@clarkesuperman]

My first bmx had a 48 tooth front sprocket and a coaster brake. Early 1990s were wild

[@AlfredoMancuso]

I’ve never seen one this big

[@mumbols]

Growing up these where like pogs and slammers. We would trade,swap, buy new or used I had everything on that table. Pretty sure I still have 4 combos in a box somewhere. I always slammed into febs or bouble peg on a ledge. I slammed hard because higher then Iv done and wanted to stick it to 360 out. I broke a lot of chains and sprockets. Doing street with a dirt set up bike. We worked with what we have and had fun. Later realized a park bike was my all around bike. Just doing xups or a bar was hard with wide bars. Back then chopped bars was the answer 😂. Shorter the better until you get broke off.

[@American_Made]

had velccro straps I put around my pants when I wore pants to ride. Usually shorts. I ran a 43 16 actually.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Oh snaps

[@AbrahamKufuna-n6x]

Please I need an mtb cassette louder hub sound.how much sir?

[@JeffyJæmes]

I used to bend 44t sprockets constantly, which would then snap my chain. This is an amazing innovation. I just wish I had a 28 or 30t fbm sprocket

[@jiml9856]

I'm 50 and still ride my old 80s redline but today I bought an early 2000s diamondback to fix up. Can I convert it to the smaller gearsets? Can I put a 9 tooth on a tuff wheels freewheel? 10:21

[@gakbrenti]

44-16 is the best for long trip

[@ourlastmurder]

Back a long time ago, the best buy i made on my first bmx was the Macneil full guard 44T 😅

[@dethgripco]

I remember back then, my riding buddies rode 16x22 while i was on 16x32 gearing, . We were pedaling so fast but not getting far. The richest kid in our crew has a Haro cassette hub. Curious micro drive never caught on. Chain snapping was solved by half link chains. Was there more strength issues on the driver that i dont know of? With the trend of frames getting shorter, i cant even go up 28t (26 and 27t sprockets are rare) without sacrificing a straight chainline. 8x25 sounds good.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Yea the tiny bearing in the driver and the stress on the half link chain still made it undesirable

[@franciscogomeziii]

I had My Eyes on that FBM sprocket!😁😁

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Can anyone tell me info about 33/15 gear ratio? That’s what’s on my SE big ripper

[@zenkirsaaronlim3976]

What about 36t sprocket? What freewheel can we go with?

[@BarnsB_23]

I was born in 2000 and as a kid in a small town never heard of Bmx before and the first time I seen a Bmx bike with a tiny sprocket it tripped me out like “Wtf is that shit “😂!

[@mikepettengill1766]

What gear ratio is best for Big BMX bikes? I like 33/16, then 36/17

[@lane2376]

I'm only 30 and it was weird to me when I got back into it also, even though I always had Walmart bikes before. The clearance gave me the confidence to learn how to drop in, but I'm definitely gonna step up to a 28:9. I just cannot get enough speed it seems like.

[@JHOFF111]

I never had a problem with 44, and 180 mm cranks, good leverage

[@AlfredoMancuso]

For the time they were great!

[@ThePreacher1995]

30T FTW!

[@VAustin89]

30 x 9 on my "commuter" rig, for my normal rig still on a 25x9 but contemplating on going 28x9

[@booyascone4003]

Lol soon as you said grab your pants leg lol oh the memories Bahahahahaha

[@keam210tx]

Phu the bmx gear head 🍻

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Gearguys

[@rlo_YT]

On a 26" bike can I run 33/16?

[@cfmechanic]

I got my daughter on a 45 x 15. She can pull away on me without breaking a sweat. I run 41x16 on my 24in cruiser. Looking to get a 42 or 43 or 44 for my cruiser. I hit 25mph now wanna break speed limit on the sidewalk but we just cruise no trick stuff or clearance needed. Would love to go 25x9 but dont wanna get hub im stuck with flip flop hubs so i can run disc brake adapter.

[@hootiemike3091]

I was on a DK 40t for quite a while.

[@louiscerrato4049]

Looking for a smooth and reliable hub set that does t break the bank. Thanks in advance for any recommendations?

[@csj9619]

BlackOps, ACS or Odyssey would fit the bill methinks

[@dougdroen7519]

I got a 39t sprocket n 16t freewheel set up n it works alright lol

[@Cra1g1380y]

Mid 40's to understand? The faq? Im in my mid 30's and remember Edwin ran a 22-8 gearing. Lol

[@papermoonmarc]

Did you guys ever score an 1986 GT Pro World Tour? I see performers and stuff on your channel but did you get the Pro World Tour? It's kinda rare because they got sued over the name and had to change to Pro Freestyle Tour halfway through 1986. Please find and do a video on the Pro World Tour. Thanks!

[@SharkAttackSkinder]

I miss my 22-8. The boys and i were talking about this just the other day.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Good video my dude where is your shop located??

[@christiangonzalez5215]

dope videos 🤙🏽

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Thank you!

[@michaelrizzi6448]

Fu looks fucken hammered haha,,cheers guys from nyc

[@KenPapara]

The more teeth the chain is engaged on the safer but you have to find the right size to where it's not too big that it hits everything. I personally prefer a slightly harder gear ratio so I run a 28/9 atm, I'd prefer a 30/10 though so there are more teeth engaged at both ends, I'm also running a slightly stronger than normal 510 chain because of the harder gearing.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

I like this theory

[@M4c223c]

That was our theory racing in the mid 90’s. Guys were toying with smaller gear but equivalent ratios for weight but the rear freewheels were the weak point. Racing is a whole different mindset to design where your drive train is the link to your holeshot off gate drop. You need your parts strong AF

[@xSF5150x]

Good video. 👊🏼

[@tonyvaccarelli7950]

give me 27 -9 , then ratio would be 3.00, 😂

[@riskydeth1216]

eventually i do want to switch to a smaller setup but until i get the money im happy where im at with the bike

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Sounds like a plan

[@is_it_true_2023]

use the fish scale

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Touché

[@Goat706mopar]

I always rode a 45 16. With no issues 🤣😂🤣😂

[@SavageAudits]

Use a scale for these vids, please.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

You heard PHU, send the scale and we’ll use it haha

[@richpoul3198]

If your bike is a 1990 and older, keep it stock and rock it!

[@jsbmx2039]

Good stuff. Racers still run those big gear ratios though

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Good point

[@johneeeemarry34]

Smoother, ie less link movement so less friction and subtler, ie 44/16 , 45/16…

[@kink86booth76]

I run a 33 9

[@chrisparker7815]

For street/park it's great but you won't find that set up on a race track. Also, if you bent the steel one, you could probably straighten it. If you bring that aluminum to that point, it's snapping.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Solid point

[@M4c223c]

We always ran aluminum on the track. Ounces equals pounds, pounds equals pain. For a while we started changing all our cromoly parts to titanium

[@zbignoz.tunnlerwitz_109]

Phu told me he runs 30:8 gear ratio.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

He lied

[@zbignoz.tunnlerwitz_109]

@@AlfredoMancuso Phu knows who did run that set up though.

[@jaewardtattoo]

Remember when the trick disaster had a meaning to it?

[@twentytolife4401]

Thank Profile for bringing the cassette to bmx.

[@johneeeemarry34]

It was Shimano that introduced the cassette to BMX in 1979, but profile stuck to the concept and everyone else followed suit so your point is on point…

[@weatheranddarkness]

@@johneeeemarry34 Profile brought the one piece driver wwhich enabled 10, 9, and then 8t. Shimano always had a swapable cog, so you could never get down below 12t..

[@Carl_JohnsonOGF]

I’m still using 30-11

[@bakdogg]

my GT is 33/12 and my custom mirraco build is 25/9 to me i don't feel the difference lol

[@mpoveroni]

Alot of people evan my age dont know about these newer sprockets

[@Milokicks]

28/9 is the place to be. Bikes are nearly perfect these days. It all comes down to price point, geometry, and materials. My 26” hardtail will always be lighter than my bmx and that’s just fine.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

It’s a little hard for the streets but if you ride trails or parks then it’s some awesome pedal power

[@JeremyPoythress]

upgraded my 2023 redline recon to a odyssey la guardia 28t gear. plan on using it as my dirt /trail bike. also added some weighted bars ends and all metal parts to make it feel like a speedy tank.

[@davidstecher1171]

Hehehe...😎 I'm a almost 50 year farth, I get that!👍 thanks for the video!😎👍

[@shadydamaja187]

30t t1 sprocket with a 9t The teeth don't deform as much on the sprocket especially the driver though when I rode 28 9 the driver teeth would deform faster and look jagged and caved in.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Good point! But if you hit one sprocket stall on the bigger sprockets they would fold like origami

[@515klrkillahoobie6]

Sprocket Taco 🌮 now I have 35 to 9

[@willielee94]

You are the Best 💕

[@mmmmmmmfancy]

I’m still running a 52t front 22t rear, let’s just say it loves parking lots

[@DS-oi4wl]

30/9 makes me as fast as a car...and Tom Dugan.

[@keithduncan7483]

I'm 38 I remember the bigger better cranks I feel like the smaller ones was a fad in my teenage years

[@jflip9871]

Still ride my profile 44t on my custom 125r with 990 mounts. Can't take the mid school out of me. When I do a disaster at the park I hop out of it. All Gucci

[@ABunnyVTuber]

I remember those big-ass sprockets (not to be confused with big ass-sprockets)

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Hahahaha

[@leonhhernandezfelici741]

I RUN 44 GT WINGS SPROCKET ON MY DYNO DETOUR WITH 16 ON THE WHEEL

[@alanr4263]

Ha ha ha ha yes I remember that gear it was tough when racing to get the jump on the Gate. True many broke chains off,I remember hitting the dirt coming off a double. Do u remember the Spider sprocket those short Alan key nuts never held to gether always loosen up & I had the that wouldn't tighten just would spinning had to try to hold the other side with a screwdriver.

[@pawnone]

I'm sure you can find people riding both style gears but I always thought the bigger gears come on race bikes, park/trail bikes get the smaller gears because you don't need a lot of speed in a skate park... on trails you pump to get speed where as in a race cranking may be the difference between first and second place

[@XxLastWinterxX]

Currently running 23/9

[@nathanzobell3496]

28x9 is the best