1. What is Gear Ratio?

The gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on the front chainring to the number of teeth on the rear cog. It determines how many times the rear wheel rotates for each pedal stroke.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple gear ratio formula:

Where:

• Front Teeth — Number of teeth on the front chainring
• Rear Teeth — 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 makes pedaling easier but covers less distance per stroke.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio helps cyclists understand their bike's mechanical advantage, choose appropriate gearing for terrain, and compare different gear setups.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your front chainring and rear cog. Both values must be positive integers (typically between 20-55 for front, 10-40 for rear).

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 higher ratios for speed on flat terrain and lower ratios for climbing.

Q2: How does gear ratio relate to gear inches?
A: Gear inches multiply the gear ratio by wheel diameter to account for different wheel sizes.

Q3: What's considered a "hard" gear?
A: Ratios above 3.0 are generally considered hard gears, requiring more effort but providing more speed per pedal stroke.

Q4: How does gear ratio affect cadence?
A: Higher gear ratios require lower cadence (pedal RPM) to maintain the same speed compared to lower ratios.

Q5: Should I use the same ratio for all conditions?
A: No, ideal ratios vary based on terrain, fitness level, and riding conditions. Many bikes have multiple gears to adjust ratios.