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jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
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so i found out yesterday that there's a track about 20 minutes from me (trilogy bmx in pottstown). 2 questions on setup... i'll need a new sprocket (currently running 25x9) so i don't spin out before the first turn, and some tires (current ones are some old near bald street/park tires that need replaced anyways. what's a good sprocket size to jump up to? not sure what a good ratio is for a bmx track. and what are some good dirt/track tires?
 

Jim Mac

MAKE ENDURO GREAT AGAIN
May 21, 2004
6,352
282
the middle east of NY
My old school answer: 44/16! (Actually, I have no idea...run a 38/16 on my cruiser with 175 mm cranks).

Tires partially depend on the track - how much blacktop they use, concretized dirt, etc. My catchall has been Maxxis Holy Rollers:



More concretized, paved tracks? Tioga Powerblocks were recommended to me, though they felt squirmy on my track:
 

jonKranked

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Nov 10, 2005
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yea, i'm looking for something like a decent all around dirt tire. i was looking at the odyssee aitkens. i've used holy rollers on my mtb before and liked those.
 

Jim Mac

MAKE ENDURO GREAT AGAIN
May 21, 2004
6,352
282
the middle east of NY
Don't take my word for it....I am running a little bigger up front, but overall size is lower..probably a weight weenie thing...yes, it happens here...looking at dads building up 24 spoke ti mini wheels to lose rotational weight for their kids bikes, etc....
 
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jonKranked

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44/16 is 2.75, which is actually slightly lower than the 25x9 i'm running now (2.78). 32 up front would put me at 3.56. I was thinking maybe just a 26t sprocket which would put me a bit higher (2.89).
 

jonKranked

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derp. rollers are only available in 1.85" for 24" wheels. for 20" (what i have) its 1.75 or 1.95. i'm thinking 1.9 front 1.7 rear....
 

Jim Mac

MAKE ENDURO GREAT AGAIN
May 21, 2004
6,352
282
the middle east of NY
One new 2013 racing rule that you may or may not care about: novices can no longer use clipless pedals. You have to turn 'Intermediate' before you can move off of flats. Matter not to me, and I doubt it'll affect you...more of an FYI.
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
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Im over here now
if you plan on riding the Pottstown track a lot, think of a slick(ish) tire. from what i hear, its smooth as glass and super hard packed. the turns are also paved as well
 

sealclubber

Monkey
Nov 21, 2007
543
10
Ive got alot of friends riding 20s on trails and street with 28/9 or even 30/9. its taller than the 44/16 standard of bmx racing but if the track has a good starting ramp, the taller the better.

to an extent
 

TortugaTonta

Monkey
Aug 27, 2008
539
0
I use specialized rhythm tires at trilogy. They soiltac the straights and pave the berms, it is smooth and fast. I wanna say I was running 34/14 on my 24 but I might not be remembering right. I know I would spin out in all the berms but if I went to a taller gear I couldn't get off the gate.

Trilogy is real fun and the people up there are real nice.
 

jonKranked

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Nov 10, 2005
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I use specialized rhythm tires at trilogy. They soiltac the straights and pave the berms, it is smooth and fast. I wanna say I was running 34/14 on my 24 but I might not be remembering right. I know I would spin out in all the berms but if I went to a taller gear I couldn't get off the gate.

Trilogy is real fun and the people up there are real nice.
good to know. i can't make the practice session today, i'm gonna shoot to get there next week.
 

TortugaTonta

Monkey
Aug 27, 2008
539
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They actually cancelled today because of rain.

Best to "like" them on facebizzle to keep up on changes to the schedule.
 

TortugaTonta

Monkey
Aug 27, 2008
539
0
Yeah, I am in Downingtown. Just so you know heading up 100 to pottstown gets really bad traffic after 4:30/5:00, it can take an hour+ but 4:00 it will take 20 25 minutes. Sometimes thats what keeps me from headin up.
 

jonKranked

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Nov 10, 2005
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my office hours are pretty flexible, and i typically head out around 4pm anyways. leaving early would be a non-issue, just gotta get in earlier.