Originally Posted by
rawly old
Yes, the ratio is about the same. That's the point! The difference is the amount of leverage
one can apply to the smaller chainring is considerably greater.
Try it if you don't believe me.
Think of the crank arm as a lever & the outside edge of the chainring as the fulcrum. The larger
the chainring, the less leverage the crank has against it. It's basic physics.
.
It still won`t alter the force from your propelling legs but might well shorten the life o` the chain . . . but extend the life of your chainwheel (large one)