1. What is Gear Ratio?

Gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on the driven gear to the number of teeth on the driver gear. It determines how many times the driven gear rotates for each rotation of the driver gear.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gear ratio formula:

Where:

• \( teeth_{driven} \) — Number of teeth on the driven gear
• \( teeth_{driver} \) — Number of teeth on the driver gear

Explanation: A higher gear ratio means the driven gear rotates more slowly but with greater torque compared to the driver gear.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Gear ratio is crucial in bicycle design as it affects pedaling efficiency, speed, and torque. It helps cyclists choose the right gearing for different terrains.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count the teeth on both gears (usually marked on the gear) and enter the numbers. Both values must be positive integers.

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, depending on the terrain and rider preference.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Higher ratios allow higher speeds but require more pedaling effort, while lower ratios make pedaling easier but limit top speed.

Q3: What's the difference between gear ratio and gear inches?
A: Gear inches incorporates wheel diameter, giving a more complete picture of the bike's gearing.

Q4: Can I use this for multi-gear systems?
A: This calculates single gear pairs. For multiple gears, you'll need to calculate each stage separately.

Q5: What's a good climbing gear ratio?
A: For steep hills, ratios below 1.5 are common to make pedaling easier.