Originally Posted by
sgtdirt
is there a difference in gearing ratio between a 29er and 26" wheel. a friend has a SS 29 with a 32 chainring and a 22 freewheel. my 26" is geared with 36 chainring and 17 freewheel. he says they are about the same ratio (taking in wheel size difference).
can this be true?
No.
For the 29 (700C: 56-622), one crank rotation results in 1.45 wheel rotations (32/22). Each wheel rotation results in about 230 cm travel so each crank rotation gives 1.45 * 230 = 335 cm.
For the 26 (50-559), one crank rotation results in 2.12 wheel rotations(36/17). Each wheel rotation results in about 205 cm travel so each crank rotation gives 2.12 * 205 = 434 cm.
434/335 = about 1.3 so they are not almost the same ratio.