best way to change gear ratio on Onyx?

[El Jefe]

I bought an Onyx 29er last february. And i was wondering what would be the best way to change the ratio? its great for riding on the flat and by myself. But I live in a hilly neighborhood and usually am pulling my 2 year old son in his trailer. Is it as simple as changing the sprockets or is it more involed? Im new to the bike world, but am mechanically inclined. . . ish. Thanks

 

[CCR]

easiest thing to do is replace the hub sprocket, swap it out for a bigger tooth count to make hills easier. Remove rear wheel, usually a snap ring holding the sprocket/dust cover on, may have to play with the chain if you go much bigger but it's usually not a big deal.

 

[El Jefe]

Ok. Thank you. I was thinking that was it. Just needed an expert to cconfirm.

 

[Hogaboom]

If you do a bigger sprocket... you may need to add a link or two in your chain...all depends on the rear dropout on the Onyx

 

[El Jefe]

Ok. Monday I'll go to the bike shop and see what they got for sprockets.

 

[wheelhorseman]

I am no fan of putting on a bigger rear sprocket. I get much better results swapping to a small er front. If you take off a front 44t and replace with a 36t you will see a world of difference. I have tried the larger rear trick and never made enough difference to say so.

 

[El Jefe]

I think I'd prefer changing the front too. I stopped at two bike shops and they both said to swap the rear.

 

[deorman]

On the average setup, the difference per tooth is greater at the rear, but the range of readily available sizes is much greater at the front. :|