How to Figure Gear Ratio to Tire Size

How to Figure Gear Ratio to Tire Size
Figuring your gear ratio and applying it to your tire size will give you your development. Development is the distance your bike travels through one 360 degree rotation of the crank.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Finding your Gear Ratio to Tire Size

Things You’ll Need:
  • A calculator (or a pencil and paper if you're old school) Your bike
  • A calculator (or a pencil and paper if you're old school)
  • Your bike
Step 1
Find the measurement of your back tire. It will be listed in inches and centimeters on the sidewall of the tire.
Step 2
Count the number of teeth on your front sprocket and rear cogs.
Step 3
Divide the number of teeth on the front sprocket by the number of teeth on the rear sprocket and multiply by your tire size.

Front Sprocket/Rear Sprocket X Tire Size = Gear Size

Tips & Warnings

 
Development is usually measured in meters. Finding a bike with the right gearing is crucial if you are climbing steep hills or mountains.
 
Development is usually measured in meters.
 
Finding a bike with the right gearing is crucial if you are climbing steep hills or mountains.
 
Changing the gearing on your bike can be as expensive as it is potentially rewarding

Article Written By Mati Bishop

Mati Bishop has been a freelance writer since 1999. He has been published in "Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine," the "Hawaii Wellness Directory," "Kailua-Kaneohe Sunpress" and a collection of Web sites. Bishop studied journalism at Windward Community College on Oahu, Hawaii.

Write for Trails.com
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