Gear ratio quandary..

[user 35233]

I switched my 3 speed for a single @ 42T x 17T while my 39T x 18T is laid up but the 42/17 is harder than the 39/18. Shouldn't this be the opposite?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Higher the number, harder the gear

The closer together your front and rear rings are in tooth count makes for a spinnier gear

 

[user 35233]

Higher the number, harder the gear

The closer together your front and rear rings are in tooth count makes for a spinnier gear

Thank you. I don't have numbers on the shifter for my internal gear, only multi speed bike I've owned in 30 years. I thought 1st gear was the hardest.