Crank Sprocket Size.

[wheelhorseman]

My 20in. muscle bike has a 34 tooth sprocket which make you pedal like crazy to get anywhere. I got a brand new 44 t crankset today and want to put it in. Will i notice a big difference by doing that or should i go with an even higher tooth crank sprocket.

I found an elderly guy here who has TONS of NOS parts stored away he sells dirt cheap.

I got a complete 44t crankset and new NOs rat trap pedals plus a sprocket guard for 4.00

 

[roadmaster]

You will get your biggest gear ratio changes by changing out the REAR cog/sprocket/freewheel on the rear wheel. I have done alot of tinkering with gear ratios, living in a hilly area, and most of my 26" cruisers have 44 or 48tooth chainrings and 19 or 20tooth rear cogs. I will get the same ratio change by going from a 20 tooth rear cog to a 18 tooth rear cog than I would if I had replaced the 44tooth chainring with a 52tooth, roughly. I geared up (made faster) my 20" mini trike with a 36 tooth chainring up front by simplely going from a 20tooth rear cog to a 18 tooth cog. And this can be done if you have coaster brakes, a single freewheel or fixed track cog and is usually easier to do as it does not require dismantling the bottom bracket.

So if your pedeling like crazy and want the bike to be faster, drop two teeth out back. Good luck and hope that helps.

 

[CCR]

I agree with RM, plus you dont have to worry about clearance at the chainstays for a larger sprocket or your chainguard not fitting anymore. You should have higher gearing like said above though if you swap them out and do nothing to the rear cog. You'll have a higher top speed pedaling at the same rate you did before on your smaller front original sprocket.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Or the best thing to do get a Sturmey Archer 3 speed rear hub and have the best of both worlds.

 

[Carbon]

I've always felt like a 44/16 is the perfect gearing on a 20" bike, thats what I have on all my BMX bikes. I also really like a 44/18 or 44/19 on my 26" bikes, 40/16 is also good for that 26" bmx build. At least thats for flat areas like where I live.