1. What is Gear Ratio?

The gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on the rear sprocket to the number of teeth on the front sprocket. It determines how many times the rear wheel turns for each turn of the pedals.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Rear Sprocket — Number of teeth on the rear sprocket
• Front Sprocket — Number of teeth on the front sprocket

Explanation: A higher ratio means easier pedaling but lower top speed, while a lower ratio means harder pedaling but higher potential speed.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: The gear ratio affects your bike's performance, determining how easy or hard it is to pedal and how fast you can go. Choosing the right ratio depends on your riding style, terrain, and fitness level.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on both sprockets (must be positive integers). The calculator will show the ratio of rear to front sprocket teeth.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical gear ratio for road bikes?
A: Common ratios range from 2.0 to 4.0, with 2.5-3.0 being typical for general riding.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect climbing hills?
A: Higher ratios make climbing easier by requiring less pedal force, but you'll need to pedal faster to maintain speed.

Q3: What's better - higher or lower gear ratio?
A: Neither is universally better. Higher ratios are better for climbing, lower ratios for speed on flat terrain.

Q4: Can I change my bike's gear ratio?
A: Yes, by changing either the front chainring or rear sprocket (or both) to ones with different tooth counts.

Q5: How does gear ratio relate to gear inches?
A: Gear inches is another way to express gearing that also accounts for wheel size (Ratio × Wheel Diameter).