Gear ratio for a kid?

[CRASH]

The bike I bought to be his (8 years old) is a 36/20. That's about the same as his 16 inch. A bike I got as a parts bike is 46/19. Harder to pedal, but he'll be able to book on it with slicks for sneakers. Plus, I think he'll be able to enjoy it longer with that gear ratio.

Or am I off-track on this one? Is 46/19 too hard for an 8+ year old?

 

[Sinner4]

2.42, id say ya. He hits a slight incline and he's pushing the bike up hill. Keep it the 1.8. Or better yet have him ride it and then you can see how much leg power he has.

 

[CRASH]

We basically have no hills around here. Flat as can be until you drive up to the mountains.

 

[Carbon]

44/19 would be a funner gear for him, he'd still be able to get up on it and take off but just the cruising around part will be easier and more enjoyable. Thats what I run on a couple of my cruisers.

 

[Wildcat]

If it's a 20" bike, that may be ok, unless it has short cranks. An inch extra length helps a whole lot.

 

[yoothgeye]

I recently was concerned about this for my son when I was going to a 16" bike for him. I talked to my brother-in-law (grew up in a bike shop and racing BMX) but before racing his dad was putting together a bike for him, he asked him if he wanted speed or power. Too young to know the difference he said power thinking that with power he would have speed. So his dad geared his bike low. He recalled that when riding with friends and playing bike tag that his friends were faster than him and he just thought that he was slow. But after riding the low gear for a long time when he went to a taller gear and started racing he had a lot more endurance and could really keep the crank spinning for a long time.

My son has a really low ratio right now on his bike and I'm hoping it gets him use to spinning.

 

[CRASH]

Well, today I decided I didn't like the look of the 46 chainring I've got, and the 36 sounds too small. So... I'm looking for something cool, probably in the 44t range.

 

[Wildcat]

I've got a few 44 sprockets, but maybe a 40 will work too. Pm me if you're interested. I have a pile of sprockets I'm going to put in the sale section when I get them cleaned up.