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 rotates for each pedal stroke.

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 gear ratio means more distance covered per pedal stroke but requires more effort, while a lower ratio provides easier pedaling but less distance per stroke.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio helps cyclists choose the right combination of chainring and cog for optimal pedaling efficiency based on terrain, fitness level, and riding style.

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 road bike gear ratio?
A: Common ratios range from 2.0 (e.g., 50/25) to 4.0 (e.g., 52/13), with most riders using ratios between 2.5-3.5 for flat terrain.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher ratios allow higher speeds at the same cadence but require more power. Lower ratios make climbing easier but limit top speed.

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. Gear inches gives a more complete picture of mechanical advantage.

Q4: Should I use the same ratio for all conditions?
A: No, ideal ratios vary by terrain. Lower ratios for climbing, higher ratios for descents and flat terrain.

Q5: How many teeth difference equals one gear ratio change?
A: It depends on your current setup. Changing either chainring or cog by 2-4 teeth typically makes a noticeable difference in ratio.