How to: Hub guards

This article has been created to help you with picking the right BMX hub guard. There are tons of different companies making hubs as well as hub guards and that's why it could be a bit overwhelming for newer riders.

REAR BMX HUB GUARD
Hub guard protects the hub's body, spokes or driver againts the damage caused by grinding. All hub guards are divided into a couple of groups depending on the type of use - Front: male, female, Rear: male, female, drive side, non-drive side; and material - Plastic, Metal.

REAR NON-DRIVE SIDE HUB GUARD THAT SLIDES ONTO THE AXLE
Slides onto the axle with no need to remove the hub's cone. It is compatible with most hubs with regular 14mm axle. The only problem with this type of HG is that it increases the hub's width and in most cases you will have to spread the frame's dropouts to fit the wheel in.

Brands offering this type of HG: The Shadow Conspiracy, Michal Smelko signature "The Belly Button", Eclat bmx, Saltplus,
Compatible hubs: All hubs with 14mm regular axle

REAR NON-DRIVE SIDE HUB GUARD THAT IS SCREWED ONTO THE AXLE
Hub guards with inner thread designed to replace the hub's non-drive side cone.

Brands offering this type of HG: Animal bikes, Wethepeople, Eclat, Primo
Compatible hubs: All hubs with 14mm regular axle

REAR NON-DRIVE SIDE HUB GUARD THAT IS PUSHED ONTO THE HUB'S CONE
Hub guard is pushed onto the hub's non-drive side cone. Bigger mid hole. Compatible with various regular and female hubs.

Brands offering this type of HG: Profile, BSD
Compatible hubs: Profile, Madera

REAR DRIVE SIDE HUB GUARD
DSG (drive side guard) is protecting the hub driver againts damage caused by grinding. These hub guards are either simply pushed onto the axle or replace original hub cone with one that comes with the hub guard while hub's width remains the same. One the most used drive side guards is Primo DSG REMIX. Compatible with all hubs with 14mm regular axle and 9t driver.

Brands offering this type of HG: Primo, The Shadow Conspiracy, Saltplus, Cult, Eclat, Profile and more..
Compatible hubs: Most hubs with 14mm regular axle and 9t driver

REAR HUB GUARD - FEMALE AXLE
Compatible with female hubs only. Each brand is usually making it's own female hub guard that is not compatible with any other hub, however there are some universal ones too. Instalation of female hub guard is very simple. All you have to do is take of the hub cone nut and replace it with the one that comes with the hub guard.

Compatible hubs: Each brand is usually making it's own female hub guard that is not compatible with any other hub, however there are some universal ones too

FREESTYLE BMX HUB GUARDS FRONT
Performs the same function as the rear one and that is to protect the hub againts damange caused by grinding. Front hub guard usually replaces the hubs cone nut. It is neccesary to look for hub guard made by the same company as your hub. If the company does not offer any hub guards, then there are some universal options available either for regular or female axles.

FRONT HUB GUARD FOR FEMALE AXLE
Front hub guard is usually replacing the hub cone nut and it is neccesary to look for one made by the same company as your hub.

Here is an example of The Shadow Conspiracy RAPTOR front hub equipped with TSC front female hub guard. All you will have to do is take of the hub cone nut and replace it with the hub guard (fast and easy).

Here is video from The Shadow Conspiracy explaining how easy the installation of their hub guard actually is. There's nothing to worry about.

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