1. What is Bike Gear Comparison?

The bike gear comparison calculates the relative difference between two gear ratios. It helps cyclists understand how much easier or harder one gear combination is compared to another.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( ratio1 \) — First gear ratio (front teeth ÷ rear teeth)
• \( ratio2 \) — Second gear ratio to compare against

Explanation: A value greater than 1 means ratio1 is harder (higher gear), while less than 1 means it's easier (lower gear).

3. Importance of Gear Comparison

Details: Comparing gear ratios helps cyclists choose appropriate gears for different terrain, maintain cadence, and optimize pedaling efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both gear ratios (calculated as chainring teeth ÷ cog teeth). Values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical gear ratio range?
A: Road bikes typically range from 0.7 (easy) to 4.0 (hard), while mountain bikes have wider ranges.

Q2: How does comparison relate to cadence?
A: A comparison of 1.2 means you'd need to pedal 20% slower in ratio1 to maintain the same speed as ratio2.

Q3: Should I consider wheel size?
A: For complete comparison including speed, yes. But this calculator focuses purely on gear ratios.

Q4: What's a good comparison value for hills?
A: Values below 1 (easier gears) are better for climbing, typically 0.6-0.8 for steep hills.

Q5: How precise do ratios need to be?
A: Two decimal places is usually sufficient for practical comparisons.