Understanding Gear Ratios
Demystify bike gears and learn when to shift for easier, more enjoyable rides.
If you've ever wondered why your bike has so many gears or when you should actually use them, you're not alone. Understanding gear ratios doesn't require a physics degree – it's actually pretty straightforward once you know the basics.
What Are Gear Ratios?
A gear ratio is simply the relationship between the size of your front chainring (the big gear by your pedals) and the rear cog (the gear on your back wheel). It's calculated by dividing the number of teeth on the chainring by the number of teeth on the cog.
Higher ratios (big chainring, small cog) = harder to pedal but you go faster
Lower ratios (small chainring, big cog) = easier to pedal but you go slower
When to Use Different Gears
Knowing which gear to use in different situations will make your rides more efficient and enjoyable.
Low Gears (Easy)
- Climbing hills
- Starting from a stop
- Riding into headwinds
- When you're tired
Middle Gears
- Flat terrain
- Gentle rolling hills
- Most casual riding
- Maintaining steady pace
High Gears (Hard)
- Going downhill
- Riding with tailwinds
- Sprinting
- High-speed riding
Understanding Gear Development
Gear development (also called "gear inches") tells you how far your bike travels with each pedal revolution. It's calculated by multiplying the gear ratio by your wheel diameter.
This is useful because it helps you understand the actual mechanical advantage of different gear combinations, regardless of how many teeth are on each gear.
Practical Shifting Tips
These simple techniques will help you shift more effectively and get the most out of your bike's gearing.
Shift Before You Need To
Anticipate hills and shift to an easier gear before you start climbing. It's much harder to shift under load.
Keep Your Cadence Steady
Aim for a comfortable pedaling rhythm (around 70-90 RPM) and shift gears to maintain it as terrain changes.
Avoid Cross-Chaining
Don't use the big chainring with the biggest rear cog, or the small chainring with the smallest rear cog. This creates inefficient chain angles.