Gear Ratios - Again

[maxxis26]

hopefully got some tensiles coming and its 18 tooth on the cranks ive currently got a 16 tooth on the rear

question is would i be better going smaller on the back to like 15/14 tooth

any help appreciated

maxxis

[Luke Rainbird]

If you want a higher gear, yes.

Ratios are hugely down to personal preference, so without more info we can't really advise you

[Ali C]

my code is:

18-16 with 170mm cranks

18-15 with 175mm cranks (what I run)

The first option is good for ground clearence and is a slightly lighter gear, the 2nd option is good for more power but at the loss of clearence.

[Reinis.]

I think 14 teeth would be too hard and I haven't seen that someone using this ratio. 15, as I know, is the most popular maybe because it might be the most universal, although 16 could give more power. I really don't know, because I have tried only 18:15. I'd really like to try 16, too, but I don't know when it's going to happen

Edited January 18, 2009 by Reinis.

[N.Wood]

Can't really go wrong with 175mm cranks and 18:15 as Ali said, only time I feel its a tad hard is on uphill half pedal taps on natural or whatever.

[Henrik Y]

I have 18:15 with 170mm cranks(26" bike) and that feels good. I've tried 18:16 on my 24" and that got way to light, feels good to hold and get up on the rear wheel but got no power for gaping and pedal-up. 18:14 was a little heavy, the whole bike felt heavier and I could get the power out in the wheel.

I think 18:15 would be best for normal trials.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Henrik Y