gearing question.

[roadmaster]

so here is a simple gearing question reguarding bikes with 26" wheels. most of my bikes have (chainring/cog) either a 46/20, 46/19, 48/20 or 44/20 gearing. i just got a 26" cruiser with a 36t fron chainring and 16tooth rear cog. could i asume that a 36/16 gear ratio would be equivlant to a 46/26 gear ratio, adding ten to each end? my lowest geared cruiser is a 44/20, so i assume my 36/16 is lower. am i right? if not, why? :?

 

[user 135]

46/26 =1.61 36/16 = 2.25 so they are not the same. You would also have a hard time finding a 26t cog for a coaster brake. The largest they make is 22t.

 

[CCR]

i believe 44/20 is fairly close to 36/16, with the 36/16 being a little bit lower than the other.

 

[roadmaster]

i had a feeling cman was gonna be right, as my hunches using gear inches equasions didnt add up. i compared its 36/16 and just add 10 at each end to a 46/26 on my 86' murray monterey cruiser 5speed conversion in 2nd. but the murray in 2nd gear of 46/26 felt lower than the 36/16 on my new cruiser. at leaast i like the bikes 36/16 which seems to be just right for my area. goes up hills fine (but aluminum frame makes it feel easier) and runs nice on flats as well. thanks for the responses so far, as they really do help.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

its pretty simple ...ride it and if its too hard to pedal ...put a bigger one on the back or a smaller one on the front. if your choices dont work stick a 3 speed nexus on it and be done. :wink: