Originally Posted by think5577
Well, what about me going down to a 15 or 14 tooth in the back?
Yeah Veni, Im in the city and going short distances. For some reason, I just cant go slow on my bike. Im just used to hauling a$$ wherever I go. My road bike is out of commision right now, and its been some time since I rode it to even remember it.
Like I said, Im not so knowledgeable about the whole gear math stuff. Veni, what exactly am I looking for with that gear calc?
42/16=2.625x27=70.875 gear inches
42/15=2.8x27=75.6 gear inches
42/14=3x27=81 gear inches
If you go w/a 14 cog you better be ready to roll, I mean cruise speed will be about 27 to 30 mph
and if you can top that gear out you'll be doing well over 40 mph!
I run a 48/18=2.666x27=71.99 gear inches on one ride and 49/18=2.722x27=73.49 gear inches on
the other and I cruise between 20 and 24 mph. Flat out on level roads I do just over 36 mph (48/18). Here where I live there are lots of small rolling hills. I have run 48/21 and 49/20, w/this low gearing
you will learn to spin real nice circles which helps out when you try to go as fast as you can on
the flats or on downhills, you'll be spinning without your butt jumping on the saddle and btw I can
still cruise at 20 to 22 w/no problem. The low gearing is great for learning to spin but you really need
to push big gears to get stronger
52/18=2.888x27=77.99 gear inches
52/16=3.25x27=87.75 gear inches
You may want to try 42/15 or if your feeling strong go w/52/18 since you already have this combo.
If your legs are not pumped now they will be.
The gear calc gives you gear ratios in gear inches. You just plug in your chainrings and cogs you
want to try and it will give you the ratios