Ok , I have a Black Market three 57.....My question is on those particular frames, can you upgrade cranks ( Saints,Rhythem ,DXR) and find a 4 hole 30 tooth sprocket to fit???

Yes. I have a black market and have gotten a 34 on the front.

I think 32 is low as you can go with a 104 bolt pattern. Get a different rear cog and ditch the 30-15 that comes on the black market .357 complete.

keep the rear cog(15t) and get the 32t chainring and run the recommended gear ratio, the stock 30-15 is too spinny, when i got mine carter said 2:1-1 in the rear, so 32-15 is perrrfect.

Sweet....I like the bike and wanna cut weight and the stock cranks will need to go....they add alot of weight....

Why not go with profiles? Then you can run as small a sprocket as you want up front. Profiles are comparable in weight to DXR, Rhythm and Saint cranks as well as cheaper by far.

and don't worry, I'm not a chromo or profile nazi. I have saints on my bike, but for what you're looking for profiles seem like the best option.

I have a BLKT MRKT as well love it!! I Just ordered a 33 Rennen last night to go with my saints . Also bought a sx cro mo front fork and took off the DJ1 tank today. It did lower the front end alot I may have to get a light suspension fork with a lock out but I'm gonna give it a try saturday on some dirt jumps..

Funny thing, and probably not enough to really make a difference, but constant tire size between them all, they will not all roll out the same. Close though:

26/12 = 2.17:1

28/13 = 2.154:1

30/14 = 2.143:1

32/15 = 2.133;1

34/16 = 2.125:1


I use 30/14, but am looking into going bigger - 32/15 or 34/16. These low 2.1:1 ratios, when combined w/ reduced diameter gearing wear out pretty quickly. Definitely faster than a 20" wheel, which most people run @ 2.75:1.

If you love the gear ratio that the bike came with then try 36/18 -DXR compatable and is the same as what you had to start with.

I run the 34/16 on mine and think you'll find that is about as big as you can get on a black market. I also run profiles so you get the longer spindle. The dxr is made for the 68mm bb and likelu won't work. I tries super cross sinners with no luck.

I have the black market contraband fork which is same as the sm pitchfor. It does lower the front end. But keep in mind the bm has a 69 ht angle. The lower forks bring it to 70ish according to my magnetic angle finder. For racing, you'll probably like it better.

Chris, I got 35/17 on my black market and 99% sure I could run 36 up front if I wanted. With a little frame modification 37 is easily possible and possibly 38 also.

How did those primo springs work out for you?

Thanks for all the info guys...I do plan to take it to the track to get back into the sport for just the fun of being out there....thats why I want to lighten it up some ....so Im thinking the cranks and eventually the forks should do the trick...

Oh yea...any body got any links to websites that sell forks that fit the frame's?? the 26 inch is a new thing to me

Well, do you just want a lighter fork or a rigid fork? As for another set of cranks, profile with the 6 or 6.25 width spindle do the trick. The .357 comes with 170mm cranks stock which is really too short. Also, it's not the crank arms that weigh alot, it's the spindle that comes with the cranks which is the main weight culprit.

Well I wouldnt mind a rigid fork.....I see Black market has a rigid fork supposedly coming out in 2010...post pics of your .357 also......

i love my Blackmarket MOB. i run bmx Profiles and 30-14. if you like racing or jumping cruisers, this is about as close to that feeling as you can have but with the awesome benefit of just a little suspension to take impacts and smooth things out. a lot of older bmx'ers seem to hold back and stop doing stair gaps, hitting big dubs for the first time etc etc.--these bikes give you that confidence back because they just feel so smooth to ride. it's like having BMX back all over again.

getting the right suspension fork makes a massive difference. the key difference is that xc mtb forks are designed to take out small bumps and smooth out the ride. for that reason they have a built-in mush. . . .

dirt jump forks are completely different. they are designed to absorb big impacts, yet still be responsive off lips or bunnyhopping. Marzocchi DJ 1, DJ2 and DJ3 are good. Rock Shox Argyle 318 coil is also good. RST Space is not-so-great because of mushy rebound--but they do hold up.

another approach riders are taking is running lighter xc-style forks but pumping up higher psi and rebound adjusted up. better for smoother riders and not huckers. X-Fusion Velvet R fork is the team fork for Blackmarket. they are only 3.8 lbs. compared to 6.2 for typical Marzocchi DJ 3 or RST Space.

i'm running a Manitou Gold Label Series 2 from 2008 (but they stopped making them). it's a dual coil stiff spring fork, 80mm travel, and awesome for jumping and bmx track. not that great as an xc fork because it doesn't have that floaty mush at all.

my manual on campus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAoPDt94BdY...player_embedded