Originally Posted by
keihoop
Why do riders in various realms of cycling call out their chain rings in front and rear as xx/yy and xx/yy but then say, they "should probably ride xx?" and indicate a one or two number difference in the front or the rear?? I mean honestly, SO many people talk about a one or two tooth difference?? Are that many people SO totally finely tuned that they command the maximum tolerances +/- a tooth?
Just curious.
Thanks.
Erik.
More highly trained riders are more sensitive to small changes, and as cogs get smaller, the percentage change in the gear rises. The difference between a 12 and 13 tooth cogs at the back feels the same as a jump from a 48 to a 52 at the front.