1. What is Gear Ratio?

Gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on the chainring to the number of teeth on the cog. It determines how many times the rear wheel turns for each pedal revolution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gear ratio formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Chainring} \) — Number of teeth on the front chainring
• \( \text{Cog} \) — Number of teeth on the rear cog

Explanation: A higher gear ratio means more distance covered per pedal revolution but requires more effort.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio helps cyclists choose appropriate gearing for different terrains and riding conditions. Higher ratios are better for speed on flat terrain, while lower ratios help with climbing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your chainring and cog. Both values must be positive integers (typically between 20-60 teeth).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical gear ratio for road bikes?
A: Common ratios range from 2.0 to 4.0, with 3.0 being a good all-around ratio.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher gear ratios allow higher speeds per pedal revolution but require more force.

Q3: What's the difference between gear ratio and gear inches?
A: Gear inches incorporates wheel diameter while gear ratio is purely based on teeth count.

Q4: Should I use the same gear ratio for climbing and descending?
A: No, lower ratios are better for climbing while higher ratios are better for descending or flat terrain.

Q5: How many gear ratios does my bike have?
A: It's the product of your front chainrings times your rear cogs (e.g., 2 chainrings × 11 cogs = 22 gear ratios).