Thread: Gear inches
View Single Post
Old 02-14-23 | 11:24 PM
  #18  
79pmooney's Avatar
79pmooney
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,191
Likes: 5,326
From: Portland, OR

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Originally Posted by Eric F
Inches of development (travel along the ground for each pedal revolution) is meaningful and easily understood. However, “gear inches” is the equivalent diameter (not circumference) of the front wheel on a penny-farthing bike. It’s archaic and meaningless, except for this one specific context. I’m sticking with my previous characterization - it’s stupid.
But pi makes the in your head math harder than the simple 27" (or 26 or 24; all numbers that often simplify with the cog teeth nicely).+

Originally Posted by jdogg111
thanks for all the great replies, great info, I should have mentioned that I'm not at all concerned with the small cogs, the only time I've used the smallest is taking the tire off. The 10 speed cassette has much better increments, by the tools you good lad s have supplied 36 seems to be what I'll need, so I'll have 60ish top I'm guessing. What that maxes out speed wise I have no clue but it's safe to say I only see 15mph when going downhill anyway. 10 mph on the 20 inch wheels is a good pace for this old geezer. Thanks
Thank you for coming back and saying this. You're welcome! (And yes, tightly spaced cog jumps rule!)
79pmooney is offline  
Reply