BMX race wheels and freestyle
This page dedicated to BMX wheels helps to replace or upgrade the wheels of a race, street, or park bike: rim sizes of four hundred and six or four hundred and fifty-one millimetres for twenty inches, twenty-four inches for cruisers, single, double or triple wall profile, cassette or freecoaster hub, and axle diameter, to choose a wheel that can absorb landings without losing responsiveness.
Absorb every landing.
The two wheel diameters of twenty inches
Under the name twenty inches lie two wheel diameters that cannot be replaced by one another. The standard format, marked 406 in the ISO standard, is used on BMX freestyle bikes and most race bikes, with widths ranging from one and a half to over two inches. The 451 format, which is slightly larger, accommodates narrow widths of one and one-eighth inch or one and three-eighths inch, chosen in races by some young riders and by those who prefer lightweight.
Before ordering, check the ISO marking on the rim or the fitted tire, like 28-451 or 54-406. Cruisers, intended for larger riders, run on twenty-four inch rims, with a diameter of five hundred and seven millimeters.
The other wheels and parts
The wheels are also available in:
All the wheels are gathered on the wheels page.
Single, double or triple wall: the strength of the rim
The wall refers to the number of partitions that make up the profile of the rim. A single wall rim, lightweight and inexpensive, quickly warps under landings. The double wall, with a hollow section, offers the best compromise between weight and stiffness for most race and park riders. The triple wall, heavier, is reserved for street and dirt, where the wheel endures repeated jumps and flat landings.
The number of holes also matters: thirty-six is the norm in freestyle, to distribute stress around the entire circumference, while some lightweight race wheels have fewer. Rim and hub must have exactly the same drilling.
Freewheel hub, freecoaster and axle diameter
At the back, the freewheel hub integrates the freewheel into a body onto which a small sprocket, often with nine teeth, fits: the engagement is direct, ideal for racing and park. The freecoaster allows the wheel to spin backwards while the drivetrain remains stationary, enabling backwards riding and street tricks, at the cost of a slight delay before engagement.
Regarding axles, freestyle wheels at the back use a fourteen millimeter axle, sturdy enough to hold pegs, and at the front a ten millimeter axle, often female with screws. It's also important to check the drivetrain side, right or left, as many freewheel hubs allow for inversion.
The good deals
Good deals can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearance sales, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if a BMX wheel is out of true?
Place the bike on a stand or upside down, then spin the wheel in front of a fixed point fixed, like a collar attached to the frame. A lateral wobble indicates a warp, a vertical hop indicates a roundness issue: both can be corrected with a truing stand by retensioning the wheel.
Should I replace the whole wheel or just the rim?
A bent rim after a landing can be replaced while keeping the hub, if it's in good condition and the drilling matches. However, reassembly takes time and skill: on an entry-level wheel, a complete wheel often turns out to be simpler.
How to switch the drivetrain of a BMX rear wheel to the left?
Many freewheel and freecoaster hubs can be reversed by turning the freehub body and repositioning the spacers, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then ensure that the chain remains aligned with the front sprocket before riding.
How to maintain the bearings of a BMX hub?
BMX hubs typically use sealed industrial bearings, which are replaced rather than greased. A creaking noise or lateral play in the axle indicates a worn bearing, which should be replaced using a suitable extractor and press for its reference.
Can a cruiser wheel be mounted on a classic BMX?
No, the frame and fork of a twenty-inch BMX do not have the necessary clearance for a twenty-four inch wheel. The cruiser has its own geometry, longer and higher, designed for larger riders and adults returning to racing.
