Fixing Uneven Chain Tension on a BMX Bike with a Sprocket

Learn how to quickly fix Uneven Chain Tension on a BMX Bike with a Sprocket.

[@Nick_Gurr80]

I was told by countless people and bike “pros” that this issue is unfixable and happens with all single speed bikes. This video just made my day.

[@stazz4130]

got like bmxers eh lol

[@codystudliness4547]

Well I’ll be damned. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my bike and lately I’ve been locked into a battle with getting my crank to spin EXTRA freely. Couldn’t quite get it dialed in until I came across this video. Thank you, good sir. Cheers!

[@GIGATT808]

Be blessed

[@tuckerspiker6702]

This was helpful!!!! Not exactly your method but it made me give it 10 more minutes to mess with and I got it right where it needs to be and it’s spinning fine now! Thanks for the tips!!!

[@Tacticalups]

Smh, some guy tried to tell me it was the back sprocket. Saying we have to replace the entire back rim. Fuck that guy

[@tommy_317]

Great video! I never knew about that adjustment. I was searching for a new sprocket and found your video. I’ll have to try this out for myself.

[@kaceykelly6192]

Did this work for you?

[@tommy_317]

@@kaceykelly6192 nope. I think the sprocket is bent unfortunately. I appreciate you checking up on me!

[@kaceykelly6192]

@@tommy_317 damn. I’m taking mine to a shop soon. Just replaced the rear cog and bottom bracket and it’s still messed up.

[@tommy_317]

@@kaceykelly6192 did you replace the chain?

[@kaceykelly6192]

@@tommy_317 no. I just got the chain put on within the past few times of me riding the bike so I don’t think that that’s the issue. But you never know.

[@evergreenmusic9853]

Thanks man! Kept realigning the rear wheel 😅

[@kirkwickham3336]

Any time you apply a new chain or tighten your current one, I suggest checking for even tension and if there is a tight spot, use this video to better your drivetrain.

[@ABunnyVTuber]

Awesome! I had the tight/looseness on my new fixed gear (with the frame geometry, it's basically a 700c BMX) with the same type of sprocket and I was able to even it out thanks to this video! This will help a lot until I get a BB and crankset upgrade. Cheers!!

[@mrvapor4791]

Dude I have Hope cranks with a direct mount chainring on my 26 and it still does this to some degree. It's a good thing to address though because that kind of tension will kill your bearings..

[@jofrenbriones1200]

I just try it to my dirt jumper, and its work. Big thanks.

[@briangallo588]

In my experience this is a good way to even out the chain, but unfortunately it's very temporary. The first time you get a really hard pedal in or torque out of the gate, the crank usually resets itself to the front of the chainring slot no matter how tight you made the chainring bolt.

[@Phreshioso]

What’s the permanent solution then

[@Az-elite]

​@@Phreshiosomaybe loctite, I might try it

[@joebyrne6211]

Killer video for those who know. Very cool and thanks 😎👍🏻

[@jeeporegon9817]

Why did you need to loosen the crank first?

[@justgo4033]

Wish i knew this back in the day when i rode bmx , i had this problem all the time .

[@DaveVargas90012]

My SE Big Flyer is acting up and this kinda helped..bike life !

[@BobbyPhoenix]

I think I have to try this on mine. I have a tight spot just like you had when you started the video, but as far as I can tell my sprocket is fine, and I think it's the freewheel itself. I say that because if I put the bike upside down, and hold the back wheel, and then spin the cranks backwards, I could see a little high and low spot at the freewheel. Like if you watch the chain when you're spinning the cranks you can actually see the chain wobble up and down, and it matches if you stare at the free wheel while it's spinning backwards. But again it could all just be throwing off because the sprockets just off that little bit.

[@smbmx6581]

You could also have a bent rear axle.

[@BobbyPhoenix]

@@smbmx6581 I don't think it's the axle. I took the wheel off, and spun the axle eyeballing it very closely. No movement at all. I tried this method, and after literally two hours trying it over and over, I have it pretty even. Most drivetrains will always have a little tiny bit of a tight/loose spot, so I'm happy with the results. Before I could move the chain almost two inches at the loose spot while the tight spot maybe moved 1/2 inch, and now the loose spot moves just about an inch, and the tight spot moves about 3/4 of an inch, so pretty even all around.

[@andreiconfident]

cant i just change the sprocket?

[@RobiRollt1990]

Thank you THANK YOU for this video haha, i finally got the solution 🤝

[@danielhammock8197]

Nailed that like button

[@AmazingChinaToday]

Does this stay adjusted? I would have written this off to "chain stretch" and bought a new chain 😄

[@thejoyoftaping8205]

Great job bud, I recently got an old school bmx, but it has a one piece crank and there is no bolt connecting the chain ring to the crank arm, do you know if it possible to fix an uneven chain on this type of crank?

[@smbmx6581]

A trick that can be done is to remove the sprocket and flip it 180 degrees (or just replace it) . Old sprockets will wear and cause uneven chain tension. If you flip the sprocket, you are basically using the other side of the sprocket's teeth and it is like using a new sprocket again. I did this on an old bike the other day and it worked perfectly. Just remember - sometimes you can't get it perfect!

[@thejoyoftaping8205]

@@smbmx6581 Cheers, I'll flip it around and see how that goes. I will be replacing it at some stage with a spider and thanks to your other video I know how to adjust it. Great info bud, thanks very much.

[@BikelifejoeyOfficial]

Won’t your sprocket get loose?

[@SonnyGTA]

How about on one piece cranks?

[@amandaburger3312]

Good vid.

[@RobertLeMay848]

Are you using a centering ring for the sprocket on the spindle?

[@smbmx6581]

This style sprocket does not use one. However, some sprockets require them.

[@kipdrippers]

What sprocket is that?

[@smbmx6581]

44t Rennen sprocket

[@arclashroyale8243]

P

[@jessarellanes6648]

I had that problem before, 😕

[@krakeee]

If this works I'm going to be the happiest person alive

[@daynniteism]

Wow! I thought the only solution was to buy a better sprocket!

[@adrianTNT]

40 years and nobody told me this :)))

[@robertpresti7775]

So I've bought 2 different chains and 3 different sprokets and it's the same. some times it's worse or a bit better no matter what I do. I don't fucking get it I've built dozens of bikes I own almost 30 bikes all are fine but my one bike I use for street riding.

[@tonypeters7504]

You could take the sprocket off to see if it needs a hat washer on it

[@gasparmagdaleno6383]

Cassette gang