Gear ratio question.
ben@31
Posts: 2,327
For years I always thought that the gear ratios were linear... All the cassette with the 34t chainring were easier than all of the cassette in the bigger 50t chainring.
However, yesterday I was in the middle of the cassette and shifted from the smaller 34t chainring into the 50t chain ring. Then when I shifted the rear derailleur to a bigger toothed sprocket, it felt just as easy as the 34t.
My question is, is there any overlap between the 34t and 50t gears?
For example, in order of gear inches...
34x13
50x18
34x12
34x11
However, yesterday I was in the middle of the cassette and shifted from the smaller 34t chainring into the 50t chain ring. Then when I shifted the rear derailleur to a bigger toothed sprocket, it felt just as easy as the 34t.
My question is, is there any overlap between the 34t and 50t gears?
For example, in order of gear inches...
34x13
50x18
34x12
34x11
"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
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Well I never. Its only taken me years to realise.
I always thought it would be easier to make my way through the entire cassette in the 34t chainring before shifting onto the 50t chainring. It never occurred to me that some of the 50t sat in-between the 34t gears"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
Yep - plenty of overlap and, whilst you might think you had 20 (or 22 or whatever) gears, you're likely to have 3 or 4 near identical gears across the rings leaving you with 16 or 17 gears to choose from.0
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you might think you had 20 (or 22 or whatever) gears...
Yep I suppose 2 are not used due to cross-chaining. So "22 speed" isn't practically correct."The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
You should read Richards Bicycle Book. I'd recommend it to every cyclist.0
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I remember reading this article a few months ago, it not only looks at the overlaps you get but also which is most efficient due to less friction - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/friction-facts-free-speed-from-proper-shifting-44016/
It's pretty interesting, but you might waste more watts just thinking about which is a more efficient gear to be in when you are out on the road.0 -
You should read Richards Bicycle Book. I'd recommend it to every cyclist.
Great advice on how to deal with dogs IIRC0 -
you might think you had 20 (or 22 or whatever) gears...
Yep I suppose 2 are not used due to cross-chaining. So "22 speed" isn't practically correct.
Indeed which is why you'll see bikes referred to as eg 10 speed and 11 speed not 20 or 22.0 -
I remember reading this article a few months ago, it not only looks at the overlaps you get but also which is most efficient due to less friction - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/friction-facts-free-speed-from-proper-shifting-44016/
It's pretty interesting, but you might waste more watts just thinking about which is a more efficient gear to be in when you are out on the road.
We could save ourselves a whole 0.75 Watts. Woohoo !"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0
