1. What is a Bike 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 simple gear ratio formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: A higher ratio means more distance per pedal stroke (harder to pedal), while a lower ratio means less distance per pedal stroke (easier to pedal).

3. Importance of Gear Ratios

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

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 for chainrings and 10-50 for cogs).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical gear ratio for road bikes?
A: Common ratios range from about 2.0 (easy climbing) to 4.0 (fast flat riding).

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher ratios allow higher speeds per pedal revolution but require more effort. Lower ratios make pedaling easier but limit top speed.

Q3: What's gear inches?
A: An alternative measurement that factors in wheel size: (Chainring/Cog) × Wheel Diameter.

Q4: What's a good climbing gear ratio?
A: For steep hills, ratios below 1.0 (like 34/34 = 1.0) are common on modern gravel and mountain bikes.

Q5: How do I choose gears for my bike?
A: Consider your fitness, terrain, and riding style. Wider range cassettes offer more versatility for varied terrain.