1. What is Gear Ratio?

The 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:

• Chainring — Number of teeth on the front chainring
• Cog — Number of teeth on the rear cog

Explanation: A higher ratio means more distance per pedal stroke but requires more effort. Lower ratios make pedaling easier but cover less distance per stroke.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio helps cyclists choose appropriate gearing for terrain and riding style. Higher ratios are better for flat/speed, 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 20-55 for chainrings and 10-36 for cogs).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical road bike gear ratio?
A: Common is 53/39 chainrings with 11-28 cassette, giving ratios from 1.39 to 4.82.

Q2: What's better for climbing hills?
A: Lower gear ratios (smaller chainring or larger cog) make climbing easier.

Q3: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher ratios allow greater speed per pedal revolution but require more power.

Q4: What's gear inches?
A: Another measurement system that also factors in wheel diameter.

Q5: Should I use the same ratio for all riding?
A: No, choose ratios based on terrain - lower for hills, higher for flats/downhills.