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Gear Inches Formula:
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Gear inches is a measurement used in cycling to quantify the gear ratio of a bicycle. It represents the equivalent diameter of the drive wheel if it were directly driven by the pedals, without any gearing.
The calculator uses the gear inches formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how far the bicycle travels with one complete revolution of the pedals, taking into account the gear ratio and wheel size.
Details: Gear inches helps cyclists compare gear ratios across different bicycles and setups. It's particularly important for single speed and fixed gear riders to find the optimal gear ratio for their riding style and terrain.
Tips: Enter the number of teeth on your chainring and cog. Both values must be positive integers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is a typical gear inches range for single speed bikes?
A: Most single speed riders use gear inches between 65-75 for urban riding, with higher values for faster riding and lower values for hilly terrain.
Q2: How does gear inches relate to difficulty of pedaling?
A: Higher gear inches means more distance per pedal revolution but requires more effort to pedal, especially uphill. Lower gear inches provides easier pedaling but less distance per revolution.
Q3: Why is 27 used in the formula?
A: The number 27 represents the standard diameter of a bicycle wheel with a 27-inch tire, which was common when this measurement system was developed.
Q4: Can I use this calculator for multi-speed bikes?
A: Yes, you can calculate gear inches for any specific gear combination on a multi-speed bike by using the corresponding chainring and cog values.
Q5: What's the difference between gear inches and gain ratio?
A: Gear inches focuses on the mechanical advantage of the gearing system, while gain ratio also considers the rider's position and crank length for a more comprehensive measurement of pedaling efficiency.