Can You Put A Gyro On Any BMX? (Answered)
BMX bikes usually come with just a rear brake; however, many riders prefer to install gyros to improve their biking experience, do a lot of tricks, and reduce tangling.
The issue is bikers aren’t always sure if they can put gyros on their BMX.
You can fix a gyro on any BMX, most frames are compatible with gyros, and even if the frame doesn’t make provision for it, you can make holes for removable gyro tabs.
Gyros are becoming very popular among bikers as they help them spin their bikes and detangle.
If you want to install a gyro on your BMX, this article covers everything you need to know.
Do Gyros Fit On All BMX?
Gyros do not fit on all BMX; the original dual cable gyro has been one of the first detanglers since they became popular. But there are still some frames that won’t fit gyro tabs.
Remember that you’ll have to check for the gyro that fits your bike, but in some cases, your bike frame isn’t built to fit a gyro.
However, although riders have used gyros on their bikes for decades, and even mountain bikers have gyros, some modern BMX frames are not drilled for gyros.
The older lower cable hanger/plate BMX only accommodates non-integrated headsets that need to have a bearing cup pressed into the frame.
Since many modern bikes use integrated headsets, they won’t work with a gyro. Also, MTB frames use integrated bearings, almost like modern BMX bikes.
All of these bikes don’t have gyro mount provisions; however, if you want to install gyros on any of these bikes, you’ll have to drill holes in for removable gyro tabs.
Finally, you need to check your BMX steer tube. In some cases, the steer tube of your BMX may not be long enough to run a gyro.
If you run your BMX stem slammed and the steerer isn’t sticking out, there may not be enough room to install a gyro.
What Does a Gyro Do On a BMX?
Most bikers use the gyro for their BMX bikes; with the gyro, the bike can make a complete 360% rotation without tangling up the brake cables.
With a gyro system on your bike, you can twist the frame and the handlebars any way you like, as many times as you want, and the bike won’t get tangled up.
Also, you can control your speed no matter how daring you get. You’ll also be able to bring your bike to a stop on a dime.
You can only use the gyro or detangler, as it is also called on the rear brakes, but you can loop the front brakes in through the hollow stem, also called the Potts mod bolt.
You also put a new accessory between the stem of the bike and the head tube. The accessory serves to divide the single cables into dual cables.
Then, you can thread the dual cables in from both sides of the bike and divide the braking structure into two parts.
With that, the rider can rotate the bike 360° without twisting the cables.
Also, once you install your gyro in the headset area, the cable splits into two parts. The upper cable from the lever on the handlebar also splits into two parts.
Each part goes on either side of the bike, and the rider attaches it to the head tube. The lower cable attaches to the plate on the bottom and merges with the upper cable.
Once you pull the brakes, the plate contracts, which pulls the lower cable and unchains the bike’s sequence.
Before you install a gyro on your BMX, you should know the advantages and disadvantages. Here they are;
| Pros of Gyro on BMX | Cons of Gyro on BMX |
|---|---|
| Cables don’t tangle, which allows bikers to do more tricks. | It is more difficult to set up. |
| With a dual cable setup, you can reduce friction. | There are more cables to lubricate. |
| You can brake at a whim. | It is heavier and costs more. |
| There is less flexing, but dual cables can be more rigid. |
How to Install Gyro On a BMX (A Step-by-Step Guide)?
If you’ve got your gyro and you want to install it, this is a step-by-step guide on the installation process.
#1. Take the Front End of Your Bike Apart
First, you need to take apart the front portion of your bike. To do that, undo the bolt from the stem top of the stem and lose the two bolts at the side.
Once you’ve done that, you can slide off the stem; loosen the bolt at the top and tug if yours is a one-inch stem. Pull out the forks from the bottom if the bolts won’t come off.
If that doesn’t work either, you can tap it out from the top with a mallet. Or you can use a screwdriver to make a gap between the headset and the spacers.
Once you’ve removed the forks, take off the bearings from your headset.
#2. Install the Bottom Plate
First, you’ll need to take off your headset. You can either use a headset remover to do this or insert a screwdriver through the button headset cup and let it rest on the head tube ridge.
Then, you can give the headset cup one sharp hit all around the ridge until it comes out; you have to be even; otherwise, the headset will get jammed.
Once you’ve removed it, place the plate on the head tube and place the headset on it, then push it down with minimal force.
You can use your mallet to tap it in or a hammer and some wood.
#3. Put the Headset Bearings Back in Place
Put your headset bearings and everything else back in place just the way it was, except the stem. Do not put the stem back on yet. Instead, place the gyro on the BMX the right way.
Place the right-angled pieces on the bottom plate loosely and place your tip plate on by sliding it down the fork tube towards the spacers; if this creates a height issue, remove one spacer.
Next, place your stem into the fork tube. Place the top bolt (compression bolt in and make it tight). Line up the stem alongside the front tire and tighten the two bolts on the front.
#4. Fit Your Cables
Before fitting your cables, you can get aerosol grease or thin grease, spray it generously on the cables, and let it soak for a bit. Get some grease on the barrel as well.
#5. Install the Uppers
You want to start by loosely putting the top ones on your BMX, so loosen up the barrel on your lever, place the circular bit of the gyro in the slot on your lever, and adjust the barrel.
Adjust the barrel, so the line goes all the way to the end, then put your cable in and screw it to the end.
Place the barrels on the gyro cable and screw them into the top plate and then carefully place the circular pieces on end into the slots on the gyro.
#6. Install the Lowers
First, screw the lower part of the gyro into the lower plate on your BMX, run them through the lower barrel, and attach the straddle to the hanger accordingly.
Once you’ve bolted your straddle hanger, run it through the straddle cable, and you’ve installed your gyro.
What is the Best Gyro For Your BMX?
The gyro is only used for products manufactured by Odyssey, the same or similar products manufactured by other companies are called detanglers.
Most Odyssey products are good enough for BMX bikes, and they’re the leader in manufacturing BMX bike detanglers.
However, if you have a BMX bike, the best gyro for you is the Odyssey Evo 2 BMX U-brake.
The Evo-2 is the top gyro brake for BMX bikes; you can attach it as a front or back brake on any BMX bike frame, so you don’t have to worry about the gyro being the right fit.
The U-brake is also better than the V-brakes because it has double-lugged cables that straddle the wheel.
In addition, Odyssey forges the arms of the brake during the machining process, which gives the gyro some extra strength and durability.
Since Odyssey forges those parts instead of making them with machines as is normal, the parts have extra strength.
Some of the specs of the Evo U-brake include the following:
- Flat-tipped cable set screws.
- Aluminum front cable adapter.
- It is compatible with both the front and the rear wheels.
- Equipped with Slim-by-four pads.
- Has two spring sets for hard or soft tension.
- Spring tension indicators
- Cable lugs 10mm hex head.
The innovative, modular design is also very impressive for the price Odyssey offers. So if you’ve not decided on the gyro for your BMX, the Evo-2 is perfect.
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