Push bike gears (maths type question)

[Alasdair]

Having more gears does not make you go faster (although those grannies with their triples may disagree )

I beg to differ. Having 9 sprockets on the back instead of 7 means that I can maintain the optimum cadence irrespective of the gradient or current speed. The shifts in ratio are closer together so there's less additional effort when you're moving into a higher gear.

 

[PhilthyPhil]

I beg to differ. Having 9 sprockets on the back instead of 7 means that I can maintain the optimum cadence irrespective of the gradient or current speed. The shifts in ratio are closer together so there's less additional effort when you're moving into a higher gear.

True, but I would say it's more a case of saving energy/maintaining rhythm than actually going significantly faster.

Push bikes = pushing the pedals with your feet, no? That's what I thought anyway.

You don't push the pedals, you pedal them, hence the name. There is a difference.

 

[Wryel]

I don't have that problem - Singlespeed!

JEEEEEYYYBOOOOYYYY!!!!!!

 

[SiriusB]

True, but I would say it's more a case of saving energy/maintaining rhythm than actually going significantly faster.



You don't push the pedals, you pedal them, hence the name. There is a difference.

I've never tried to sell my pedals while riding my bike

As for the 18 vs 21 vs 24 etc... basically you have that many gear combinations available to you. And as already said you probably wont use some of those combos due to repetition and the fact you *should* keep your chain straight as possible to avoid stretching and other possible damage.

The only advantage a 21 geared bike has over an 18 is 3 more ratios, which in theory means it is more flexible.

Gears aren't there for getting faster as such, it is more to do with maintaining a constant rhythm and effort. So if you go from a level surface and hit an incline, you dont drop it straight into granny gear... you slowly change through the ratios until it feels like youre pedalling on a level surface again.

Same idea applies to driving. If you want to speed up you dont instanty just put your toe down and hit 6 thousand revs You change gear if possible and try to keep the engine at constant revs.

SiriusB

 

[JonC]

No the gear ratio associated with the gear number is not universal across bikes.

The best way to calculate the ratio is by counting sprocket teeth.

Don't forget to include the size of the wheel in the calculation....



jonc