1. What is a Bike Gear Ratio Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the gear ratio of a bicycle based on the number of teeth on the chainring and cog.

Purpose: It helps cyclists understand their gearing setup and compare different gear combinations for optimal performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( GR \) — Gear ratio (unitless)
• \( CR \) — Chainring teeth count
• \( CS \) — Cog teeth count

Explanation: The gear ratio represents how many times the rear wheel turns for each pedal revolution.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Proper gear ratio selection affects pedaling efficiency, speed potential, and climbing ability. Higher ratios provide more speed but require more effort.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your chainring and cog (both must be at least 1). The calculator will show the resulting gear ratio.

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 numbers for flatter terrain and lower for hilly areas.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect riding?
A: Higher ratios mean more distance per pedal stroke (faster but harder), lower ratios mean easier pedaling but slower speed.

Q3: What's considered a "low" gear ratio?
A: Ratios below 2.0 are generally considered low gears, good for climbing steep hills.

Q4: Can I compare gear ratios between bikes?
A: Yes, this standardized ratio allows comparison regardless of wheel size or crank length.

Q5: How does this relate to gear inches?
A: Gear inches incorporates wheel size; multiply gear ratio by wheel diameter in inches to get gear inches.