need some help with gearing
Posted: 01:10 am Sep 25 2006
is the higher # ratios means lower gearing or vice versa? trying to figure that one out
The term "high" ratio or "low" ratio is relative to a starting point. It referrs to what kind of change one makes to the the primary or secondary that results in a differnt turning ratio. If a 2.73:1 is changed to a 4.11:1 then you could say it has "lower gears" or a higher ratio. Engine RPM will turn the final gear slower for each revolution. A 5.23 was considerably "lower geared" in a muscle car than the factory 4.11 or 3.55 for instance. Low geared or low gearing is the term used to express that the input (counter sproket on a bike) turns more in relation to the the final (rear sprocket) so in other words, the final (rear sprocket) turns lower RPM's.
When you switch from a 13 tooth CS to a 12 tooth you have effectively made a higher ratio or lower geared bike. Same effect would be to leave the CS alone and switch from a 48 tooth rear to a 51 tooth rear sprocket.