BB TypeUpdated a month ago
Getting the right BB (Bottom Bracket) for your bike can be a little tricky. Heres an easy rundown of how to work it out.
1- Freestyle BB Types
2- Race BB Types
Freestyle BB Types:
1st Step:
Work out what BB Type you have. Your frame specifications will list what BB Type it is. Have a quick Google or shoot us a message if you are unsure.
In Freestyle BMX there are a few different BB Types.
MID- The most common type of Bottom Bracket in modern BMX frames. MID BB's are always Sealed Bearings.
SPANISH- Less common, but more prevalent in smaller bikes due to its smaller size. SPANISH BB's are always Sealed Bearings.
USA- Typically found on older/cheaper bikes. These can be either Sealed or Un-Sealed.
You can't swap BB Types for a frame.
2nd Step:
Work out what size your crank spindle is. This will be listed on the Cranks Specifications online. Alternatively, measure the spindle yourself or shoot us a message if you are unsure.
There are 3 main Spindle Sizes- 19mm, 22mm & 24mm
3rd Step:
Match up your spindle Size with your BB Type and you are good to go!
Example- My frame uses a MID BB, my cranks are 22mm, so I will need a MID 22mm BB.
Any dramas just shoot us an email at [email protected]!
Race BB Types:
Measure twice, cut once! That's our advice when it comes to selecting a BMX race bottom bracket for your frame because there are two compatibility considerations when it come to choosing a bottom bracket, the type of bottom bracket shell that the frame has, and the cranks that you plan to bolt into the frame. There are 3 or 4 predominant types of bottom bracket shells that BMX race frames are manufactured with, with the smaller, youth frames of Expert XL and smaller mainly using a threaded European BB (Euro). In the Pro sized frames we see the BB86 type used by a lot of the major brands, with others utilising the BB30 type, or PF30.
If this all a bit confusing, you aren't alone, and while tried to be as detailed as possible on the BB specifications of the frames and bikes we sell here at LUXBMX, just to throw another spanner in the works, the type of cranks that you are running can influence the bottom bracket you need to select as BMX racing cranks don't have a standard spindle diameter. Again we try to provide as much information about the compatibility as possible, but if you need to check that the bottom bracket that's in your cart is the right one, then send a message to our bottom bracket support line and our BMX experts will make sure that everything fits.