Why Easier Gears Turn Less

Transcription

Why does an easier bicycle gear turn the wheel less uphill?

The chain links the front chainring to a rear sprocket, carrying crank motion to the wheel.

Divide front teeth by rear teeth: the ratio gives wheel turns per crank revolution.

Fifty front teeth and eleven rear give 4.55 wheel turns, but only 0.22 times crank torque ideally.

With twenty-five rear teeth, that becomes two turns and 0.50 times crank torque ideally.

Lower gearing gives more wheel force, so resistance feels easier, but the wheel moves less per stroke.

Cadence, wheel size, drivetrain losses and terrain also shape real riding.