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Bicycle Gear Ratio Formula:
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The bicycle gear ratio represents the relationship between the number of teeth on the chainring (front gear) and the cog (rear gear). It determines how many times the rear wheel rotates for each pedal revolution, affecting pedaling effort and speed.
The calculator uses the gear ratio formula:
Where:
Explanation: A higher gear ratio means more distance covered per pedal revolution but requires more effort. Lower ratios provide easier pedaling but less distance per revolution.
Details: Understanding gear ratios helps cyclists choose appropriate gearing for different terrains, optimize pedaling efficiency, and select components when building or modifying bicycles.
Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your chainring and cog. Both values must be positive integers (typically between 20-55 for chainrings and 10-50 for cogs).
Q1: What is a good gear ratio for climbing hills?
A: Lower ratios (below 2.0) are better for climbing as they require less pedaling effort per revolution.
Q2: How does gear ratio relate to speed?
A: Higher gear ratios allow for higher speeds with the same pedaling cadence, but require more force to pedal.
Q3: Should I consider wheel size when calculating gear ratio?
A: For actual distance traveled, yes. Gear ratio alone doesn't account for wheel size. For complete gearing analysis, consider "gear inches" or "meters of development."
Q4: What's the difference between gear ratio and gain ratio?
A: Gear ratio is purely mechanical, while gain ratio also considers crank length and provides a more complete picture of mechanical advantage.
Q5: How many gear ratios does a typical bicycle have?
A: Modern bicycles typically have multiple chainrings and cogs, creating many possible gear ratios (e.g., 2x10 = 20 speeds, 3x9 = 27 speeds).