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is switching from a 18t to a 17t really going to do much?

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is switching from a 18t to a 17t really going to do much?

Old 09-28-06, 10:14 PM
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is switching from a 18t to a 17t really going to do much?

hey, I am setting up for this long pancake flat ride and I dont feel like spinning my legs of with a 49-18. Would changing to a 17t cog not change the gearing enough to notice or should I switch to a 16t instead
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Old 09-28-06, 10:15 PM
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1 tooth change is generally a lot more significant of a change than one would think.

I ride 49x17 and love it, for whatever that's worth.
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Old 09-28-06, 10:19 PM
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1 tooth in the back equals 3 in the front
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Old 09-28-06, 10:21 PM
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Its a 5.6% difference.
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Old 09-28-06, 10:31 PM
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That's the most correct answer that could be given. Thank you. Toast.
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Old 09-28-06, 11:20 PM
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Go here:

https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Enter your correct tire size and crank length, and choose Gear Inches.

Put in a couple of different chainring sizes and a bunch of cog sizes (cassette) and click on calculate.

Study the results.
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Old 09-28-06, 11:22 PM
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It's like shifting one gear on your road bike. More or less.
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Old 09-28-06, 11:37 PM
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From 46x17 to 46x18 I felt a really big difference. You'd be surprised.
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Old 09-29-06, 06:37 AM
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I just recently switched from 46x18 (which was horrible for me, riding in the city I wasn't even able to keep up with the cars) to 46x16 which is pretty perrfect. It was a bit of a difference though.
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Old 09-29-06, 07:35 AM
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put on the 14t i've offered you before. its only 100 miles! jeez.

and while you're at it, bump up that chanring to a 67. 67x14 will rock hard.

(no really though, i have a 14t and a 15t if you wanna take them for a ride around the city, just PM me, that way you can feel the difference a little)
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Old 09-29-06, 08:09 AM
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It's a definite difference, remember that smaller adjustments are made by changing chainring size, larger ones by changing cogs.
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Old 09-29-06, 10:26 AM
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The smaller your chainring the more difference you'll notice when you go up or down a tooth on the cog. 42x18 vs. 42x17 = big difference. 49x18 vs. 49x17 = not as much difference.

49x18 sounds pretty good for the street. 49x16 seems a little tall unless it's dead flat.
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Old 09-29-06, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Ken Cox
Go here:

https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Enter your correct tire size and crank length, and choose Gear Inches.

Put in a couple of different chainring sizes and a bunch of cog sizes (cassette) and click on calculate.

Study the results.

crank length dosnt make a difference in gear inches, you only need to calculate crank length with your for your gain ratio. I mean DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
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Old 09-29-06, 12:41 PM
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The bigger the chainring, the more noticable the difference.......so yes, you will definitely feel the diff.
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Old 09-29-06, 12:45 PM
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I made the exact switch about a week ago, and I definately notice the bigger gear. I don't have a speedometer, so I don't know if my speed has changed, but with a 49X18 I had a nice easy spin most of the time, and now I feel like I'm pushing the gear more as opposed to spinning. For a flat route 49X17 could be fine.
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