Quantcast

BMX BB differences?

Jul 1, 2006
106
0
Chicago
If it's a Reaper, it's Spanish. Spanish has bearings smaller than a mid bb, but bigger than a euro bb. A mid uses the same size bearings as an American bb, but they press directly into the frame without the cups.

Hope that helps,

Chip
 

cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
American bottom bracket is the biggest. It is the size that has been on bmx bikes since the 70s. It is also the size for your typical Walmart beach cruiser or mtb.

Mid is the next size down. It is essentially the size that fits a Profile 3 piece crank bearing with no cup. You just press the bearing directly into the frame.

Spanish is the next size down from there. You have to buy a Spanish bearing bottom bracket set - regular Profile bearings are not going to work.

Euro is the smallest. Higher end mtb and road bikes have used them for a long time. The bearing cartridge threads in to the bottom bracket rather than being pressed in. Euro is no longer very popular in bmx because people had problems with damaged threads from grinds or something.

Tom from Empirebmx.com did a good explanation of all of this in a Ride UK magazine a while back. Maybe you can google it and find it.