A BMX hub can be one of the more complicated yet important parts of a BMX. That’s because they are a key part of the drivetrain.
The best BMX hub is the Odyssey Clutch V2, since it has an impressive set of features which allows it to have a high level of build quality with its T6 aluminum shell construction.
In the guide we are reviewing some of the best BMX hubs. Be sure to check out their weight, axle size and amount of teeth on the hub as these can influence your style of riding.
Table of Contents
Freecoaster And Cassette BMX Hubs Comparison
| BMX Hubs | Hub Type | Weight (Grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Odyssey Clutch V2 | Freecoaster | 621 |
| Black Ops MX-1100 | Freecoaster | 217 |
| Profile Racing Elite | Cassette | 554 |
| Black Ops MX2000 | Cassette | 317 |
| Black Ops MX-1100co | Freecoaster | 221 |
| Cult Crew Freecoaster | Freecoaster | 680 |
| Eastern Ezra Hub | Freecoaster | 453 |
| KHE Greyhound Hub | Cassette | 317 |
It’s important that you analyze a hub’s teeth, to ensure its compatible with your chosen sprocket and chain. Not having compatible parts through attributes such as the hubs teeth can have a negative effect on your performance.
Additionally, check the axle size of the hub, as a 14MM axle is the main size you should look out for as the most compatible.
The Best Freecoaster And Cassette BMX Hubs
1. Odyssey Clutch V2 BMX Hub
The Odyssey Clutch V2 is one of the more upper market freecoaster BMX hubs on the market with amazing build quality standards from Odyssey. It has features such as an external slack adjustment, which can be done with a 2.5mm hex key through a hub shell access hole this allows it to be adjusted without even removing the wheel!
In terms of features of the Odyssey Clutch V2 Hub, they include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 621 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
The Odyssey Clutch is a traditional clutch-based coaster hub design that removes all of the problematic areas on regular hubs and only keeps the parts that work. For instance it has a super-strong full 14MM axle, bearing configuration, and drag mechanism design stops the need for constant repairs and an improved plastic hub guard spec.
Additional points to make about the Odssey Clutch V2 hub are that it has left or right hand drive availability, impressive hub engagement and T6 aluminum shell which has 36 spoke holes available.
Check it Out2. Black Ops MX-1100 BMX Hub
The best budget replacement hub for BMX riders who are looking for an easy to install replacement, then the Black Ops MX-1100 hub is the best choice. This can be due to its user-friendly installation and Aluminum construction for durability.
Other features of the Black Ops MX-1100 include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 217 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
Overall if you’re looking for a decent quality replacement that will out do your previous hub, then the Black Ops MX-1100 is the suitable choice for you.
3. Profile Racing Elite BMX Cassette Rear Hub
If you’re on the other end of the scale and are searching for one of the best quality hubs in the market, then the Profile Racing BMX hub is for you! This can be due to its design which has been created for BMX racing and light park use!
Other features of the Profile Racing Rear Hub include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Cassette
- Weight: 554 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
Ultimately if you’re searching for a reliable and high-preforming BMX hub for park and race track riding, then this is the best choice for you. Factors such as its 204 points of engagement means instant forward motion at the first application of pedal pressure.
Check it Out4. Black Ops MX2000
The Black Ops MX2000 is an astounding BMX hub for those BMX riders who just ride casually or even are beginners as it’s a cassette hub which allows you to practice your basic tricks such as fakie’s whilst having a reliable, yet affordable BMX hub.
Other features of the Black Ops MX2000 Hub include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Cassette
- Weight: 317 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
The Black Ops MX2000 has a pretty simple to understand design which makes it very user friendly with features such as a simple 4-Pawl Cassette body construction with 9 tooth driver which makes it a great starter hub to work on for those who are starting their first BMX bike build.
Final points to make about the Black Ops BMX hub is that it is overall it is a well designed BMX hub for any beginner or casual rider with their first BMX setup as it has practical features such as angled flanges for lateral stability in wheel building and heat treated axle for improved strength making it an all round hard-wearing BMX hub.
Check it Out5. Black Ops MX-1100co Hub
An awesome BMX hub for street and park riders is the Black Ops MX-1100co Hub. This can be due to its bolt Aluminum design, along with a sealed bearing for improved longevity and effective performance.
In terms of features of the Black Ops MX-1100co Hub, they include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 221 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
Overall the Black Ops MX-1100co is the best street BMX hub out there for casual riders, who are looking for a dependable part. Factors such as its aesthetic and weight savings, set a new standard when compared to its rivals.
Check it Out6. Cult Crew Freecoaster
The Cult Crew Freecoaster is a very durable, but high market BMX hub due to its outstanding features such as a CNC machined alloy hub shell and a heat treated hollow 14MM chromoly axle which ensures the longevity of the BMX hub.
Other features of the Cult Crew Freecoaster Hub include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 680 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
Additionally the Cult Crew Freecoaster has astonishing build quality as it encompasses a custom tapered roller bearing behind the driver for maximum side load support, whilst the thrust bearing behind the clutch ensuring for a much more smoother backpedal.
Final points to make about this impressive BMX hub are that it features sealed bearings, 36 spokeholes and a 1-piece 9T chromoly driver with custom needle bearing further proving the extremely high build quality that Cult bikes has provided you with as a reputable BMX brand.
7. Eastern Ezra
The Eastern Ezra freecoaster BMX hub boasts a simplistic design which enables it to become the most advanced and durable freecoaster hubs on sales today.
The Eastern Ezra is a very compatible BMX hub as it comes with 3 different slack options available so that you can tune the tension to your preferred riding style, which can very easily be changed as the Eastern Ezra is a very user friendly BMX hub.
Features of the Eastern Ezra Hub include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 453 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
Additionally the Eastern Ezra is a right side drive rear BMX hub with a durable, hardened chromoly 14MM axle which ensures it’s durability prolonging its life cycle.
Check it Out8. KHE Greyhound
The KHE Greyhound is one of the best cassette BMX hubs available for purchase online right now, it’s extremely user friendly as it comes with 3/8, 24 tpi chromoly steel bolt with 17mm wrench and 8mm allen key which makes it an easy task to install for any rider.
Additionally the KHE Greyhound has a 18mm inner chrome steel axle which enables it to have its long-lasting durable life cycle that it withholds.
Other features of the KHE Greyhound Hub include:
- Axle Size: 14 MM
- Hub Type: Freecoaster
- Weight: 317 Grams
- Hub Teeth: 9T
- Spoke Holes: 36h
One large edge it has over it’s competitors is that the KHE Greyhound has a massively reduced weight of only 0.7LBS, which benefits the riders performance whilst riding, furthermore another reason to the KHE Greyhound is a great hub is because it is extremely compatible as its bolt cassette hub fits in a 14mm dropout.
BMX Hub Buying Guide
The hub is a vital part of a BMX build as it is the central connection point of the wheel structure where all of the dynamic loads transfer generated from the riders transfers from the tire/wheel, through the spokes of the BMX into the frame.
What this results in is a enormous amount of pressure being put onto the hub as it handles the dynamic loads from the rider, road and tension from the spokes intertwined within it.
The results of not having a suitable BMX hub can be that you’re going to have a high probability of breaking your spokes or even bending your rims, so it is definitely advisable not to seek out the cheapest option for a BMX hub, but the more durable and highly recommended.
Overall you should clearly think what your preferences and needs are whilst riding before making a purchase decision on a BMX hub as certain factors can really benefit your riding style and aid you in being comfortable and have a better achievement rate of preforming your tricks.
Difference Between A Cassette And A Freecoaster BMX Hub
A key way to differentiate between a cassette and freecoaster hub is that a free coaster enables the rider to free wheel while the BMX bike is propelling backwards.
Whereas, on a cassette hub if you’re propelling backwards you’ll notice that the pedals will also rotate anti-clockwise along with the wheels rotating(this will not happen on a freecoaster hub).
An additional key distinguishing feature between a cassette and a freecoaster hub is the noise, as cassette hubs make a large amount of clicking noise, where as a freecoaster will be almost silent.
The reason to why free coaster BMX hubs don’t make any noise is because the pawls on the free wheel touch the splines as the wheel is turning and then they pass over any engagement surfaces.
Cassette Hubs
Cassette hubs are the most common and mass produced type of hub you’re likely to find on a BMX bike, they tend to be the cheaper type of BMX hub as they’re so much more mass produced than their counterpart.
Cassette hubs can be a more preferred type of hub for riders who have a riding style orientated around dirt jump riding as it allows them to put more pressure on the BMX drivetrain as a whole and the cassette hub itself is more durable.
Freecoaster Hubs
A freecoaster hub is more commonly used by BMX riders who style is more aligned to street and flatland. This is because these types of BMX riding styles encompass tricks that involve riding backwards such as a fakie, which can involve pedaling backwards as described in the Basic BMX Tricks Guide.
Having a freecoaster hub means that when you’re doing a fakie, you need not to pedal backwards as you just freewheel while going backwards which aids the BMX rider with their control and balance.
Cassette .Vs. Freecoaster Hubs
The type of BMX hub you choose to ride with can be dependent on your riding style. For example, if you’re a flatland or street rider, a freecoaster hub may be a more suitable choice for you. Where as, a dirt jump rider could not ride effectively with a freecoaster hub.
Cassette hubs have been around for a longer time, which has resulted in them being much more developed and in sequence have become very durable. This means that if you’re a rider that gives their BMX a lot of abuse or has a harsh riding style, it’s definitely advisable to get a cassette hub.
Freecoaster hubs sound very ideal for BMX beginners as they aid the riders control and balance whilst riding however, freecoaster hubs are no where near as reliable as regular hubs as they’re a newer development and the technology inside is not as advanced and refined as the more structurally sound cassette hubs which have been redesigned and developed for years.
Furthermore, this means that the cost of freecoasters out way the cost of cassette hubs as they’re more costly to produce than their more common counterpart.
The main drawback to use a freecoaster hub on your BMX is that it has the issue of the engagement lag. The best way to explain this is that with a normal bike, when you begin to pedal you will notice that after an inch or so of movement the wheel will also begin to turn, the drive-train will become engaged and you will propel forwards.
On a freecoaster hub, you will need to move the cranks forward by 45/90 degrees before you engage the drive-train and propel forwards, this can very easily cause accidents if you’re not used to the freecoaster hubs so ensure that you’re aware of the issue!
Servicing Your BMX Hub
It is vital to keep servicing your BMX hub as it keeps it running smoothly which is important as its the most kinetic part of your BMX which can get very dirty and dusty. It’s vital that you replace the bearings inside of the hub and to add extra grease when you hear a difference in sounds from the hub as you’re riding.
