How Would This Work???

[wheelhorseman]

OK been experimenting with sprocket changes on my Sears muscle bike. In the picture you see the factory setup 34/16 sprockets with short crank arms. The trouble with that is that it pedals easy but alot of pedal revolutions are required and i give out after a 1/2 mile.

Changed to a longer crank but same 34t front so i can keep my chainguard. Tried a 20t rear sprocket and seemed to decrease the pedal revs some.

What if i put a 22t in back? A friend of mine has a 22 that i can get.

 

[wheelhorseman]

Sorry forgot the pic.

 

[Wildcat]

The more teeth on the rear sprocket will make you pedal even faster to go the same distance.

 

[wheelhorseman]

Thats what i needed to know. All this ratio stuff is confusing.

On my new Eliminator bike it is geared 46/18. Is a 44/16 higher or a lower gearing?

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Thats what i needed to know. All this ratio stuff is confusing.

On my new Eliminator bike it is geared 46/18. Is a 44/16 higher or a lower gearing?

To simplify it, A smaller sprocket on the back takes less chain to turn the wheel one rotation. A bigger front sprocket moves more chain per revolution.

 

[wheelhorseman]

I think i understand now. But on the 46/18 and 44/16 which is a higher gear?

The 46t sprocket is bigger than the 44t but the 16t is smaller than the 18t.

 

[Tychevelle]

yes, your 16 tooth will be a higher gear then your 18 with the same front sprocket but it will be harder to get the bike moving (acceleration) if you want the most top speed from the sprockets you have go 46/16 but like I said it will be harder to pedal
46/18 and 44/16 are essentially the same thing but not quiet there is some difference. for the bike pictured if its a 36/16 i dont think youll find a smaller sprocket then 16 for a coaster your going to have to go bigger on the front if you want to top speed/cover more ground faster

if you want it easier to pedal but less top speed go smaller on the front or bigger on the rear
if you want it harder to pedal but more top speed go bigger on the front or smaller on the rear

hope this helps
Ty

 

[deorman]

44 x 16 is marginally taller than 46 x 18, a few inches per crank rotation. :|

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I think i understand now. But on the 46/18 and 44/16 which is a higher gear?

The 46t sprocket is bigger than the 44t but the 16t is smaller than the 18t.

Easiest way is to reduce the fraction. 46/18 converts to 23/9, (2 5/9)

44/16 converts to 22/8 then 11/4 (2 3/4)

2 3/4 is slightly more than 2 5/9 so 44/16 is the slightly higher ratio.

 

[snarehead123]

do yourself a favor, put 5 1/2 inch crankarms on it with 46 front 18 rear you will like it.