The bicycle gear ratio is the most important aspect of a bicycle drivetrain that determines the relation between the cadence and the drive wheel returns rate. Some bicycles have only one gear. Therefore, they have a fixed bicycle gear ratio. But most modern bicycles have multiple gears with different gear ratios. Moreover, the shifting mechanism allows choosing an appropriate gear ratio as per the road conditions. Also, the bicycle gear ratio depends on different people and styles of cycling.
Buck Up With The Bicycle Gear
Therefore gearing can be optimized to use the narrow pedaling speed range as efficiently as possible. The bicycle gear ratio has a close relationship with the mechanical advantage of the drivetrain. Moreover, this may vary according to the various types of bicycles. So, the bicycle gear ratio depends on the ratio of the number of teeth on the rear sprocket. Moreover, if you want to travel at the same speed by using a lower gear, it must pedal at a faster cadence with low force.
Measuring Bicycle Gear Ratio
At least four different methods for measuring bicycle gear ratio are available such as gear inches, meters of development, gain ratio, and quoting the number of teeth on the front and rear sprockets. Therefore, the result of the first three methods in each possible gear ratio represents a single number. So, the numbers from different methods are not comparable to each other. Moreover, the fourth method uses two numbers and is useful in comparing bicycles with the same drive wheel diameter of other vehicles. The difference between the bottom and top gear indicates the range of gear.
Therefore, gear inches and meters of development closely related to the conversion of gear inches to meters of development, multiply by 0.08.
Important Formulae For Bicycle Gearing Ratio
Some important formulas are discussed here,
Gear inches = (drive wheel diameter) × (number of front chainring teeth ÷ number of front-rear sprocket teeth)
Meters of development =
(drive wheel circumference) × (number of front chainring teeth ÷ number rear crochet teeth)
Gain ratio = (drive wheel radius ÷ pedal crank length) × (number of front chainring teeth ÷ number of rear sprocket teeth)
Therefore, there are various types of modern single speed cycles you can find in the market. So, the numbers of bicycle gear ratios have three types- possible gear ratio, usable gear ratio, and distinct gear ratio.
1. Number of possible gear ratio is 24
2.Number of usable gear ratio is 22 and;
3. the number of distinct gear ratio is typically 16 to 18
Conclusion
The bicycle gear ratio is important, especially for the young riders. The majority of people find useful gear supplied by manufacturers. Some cyclists also choose some gear to suit their strength, level of fitness, and so on. So, the relative difference between the two gears is more important than the absolute difference while changing the gear. Also, the racing cycles have gears with a small relative difference, around 7%-10%.
