1. What is Bicycle Gearing Ratio?

The bicycle gearing ratio (measured in gear inches) represents how far the bicycle travels with one complete pedal revolution. It's calculated using the front chainring teeth, rear cog teeth, and wheel diameter.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gearing ratio formula:

Where:

• Front Chainring — Number of teeth on front chainring
• Rear Cog — Number of teeth on rear cog
• Wheel Size — Diameter of the wheel in inches

Explanation: The ratio shows how many inches the bike moves forward with one full pedal rotation. Higher numbers mean harder pedaling but more distance per rotation.

3. Importance of Gearing Ratio

Details: Gearing ratio helps cyclists choose appropriate gear combinations for different terrains and riding styles. Lower ratios are better for climbing hills while higher ratios are better for flat terrain and speed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your front chainring and rear cog, plus your wheel diameter in inches. Typical road bikes have 700c wheels (about 27 inches) while mountain bikes often have 26-inch wheels.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good gearing ratio for climbing hills?
A: For hill climbing, ratios between 20-40 gear inches are recommended, allowing easier pedaling at lower speeds.

Q2: How does gearing affect speed?
A: Higher gear ratios allow greater speed per pedal revolution but require more effort. Racers often use ratios above 100 gear inches.

Q3: What's a typical road bike gearing?
A: A standard road setup might be 53/39 chainrings with 11-28 cassette, giving ratios from about 39 to 130 gear inches.

Q4: How does wheel size affect gearing?
A: Larger wheels effectively create higher gearing (more distance per revolution) compared to smaller wheels with the same chainring/cog combination.

Q5: What's gear development vs. gear ratio?
A: Gear development (in meters) is similar but accounts for wheel circumference rather than diameter (gear inches × π).