1. What is Gear Ratio?

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

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

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio affects pedaling efficiency, speed, and climbing ability. Choosing the right gear ratio helps match your pedaling cadence to terrain and riding style.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your chainring and cog (both must be at least 1). Common chainring sizes are 28-36 teeth for mountain bikes, with cogs typically ranging from 10-52 teeth.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good gear ratio for climbing?
A: Lower ratios (like 1:1 or less) are better for steep climbs. For example, 32 chainring with 32 cog gives a 1:1 ratio.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher ratios allow higher speeds at the same cadence but require more pedal force. Racers often use higher ratios.

Q3: What's a typical gear ratio range for mountain bikes?
A: Modern mountain bikes often have ratios from about 0.6 (easy climbing) to 4.0 (high speed on flats).

Q4: Should I consider gear inches as well?
A: Gear inches (ratio × wheel diameter) gives complete picture of gearing when comparing different wheel sizes.

Q5: How many gears do I need?
A: Modern 1x drivetrains with 10-52t cassettes often provide enough range with simpler mechanics than 2x or 3x systems.