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Gear Selection Calculator

PinaPina
in General Training Discussions

Found this great website that helps to better understand gear selection:

 

http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/bikegears/CompareBicycleGearing

Comments

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    That's a great calculator. Those charts are in the WIKI gearing article but it's nice to play with different combinations. I wish you could do 11 speed. I am switching to a compact crank and 11 speed. I have been using a 12-25 10 spd and I've been debating about whether to add the extra gear on the end or in the middle of the new 11 spd cassette.
  • IanPowellIanPowell
    Wow. That is pretty cool. I'm clueless when it comes to hearing so this will be a great learning tool.
  • Mark CardinaleMark Cardinale

    Thanks for posting, Sukhi.  I'm running a 11/25 on a standard crank and will be switching to a compact and a new cassette.  This calculator makes it easy to see the range and spacing of different cassette options.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Yup. I've recommended that for a couple years.

    The things people forget are:

    1) Gearing is proportional (front divided by back) so the difference between 25 and 26 at the top is ~4%, whereas the difference between 11 and 12 is more than double that! This is why changing to a compact up front is a much better way to get to low gear. 34 vs 39 a 13% lower gear. Similarly 50/12 is a bigger gear combo than 53/11

    2) It reminds people graphically about the gear gapping that comes about with wide gear spacing in the back.
  • Ian KurthIan Kurth
    The visual is a big help, especially when riding. I can now look down at what gear I am in, and better anticipate when to go big ring/small ring. Thanks for the post!
  • Jenniferlyn KryvickyJenniferlyn Kryvicky

    Thank you for posting this, I was actually wondering what the overlaps in gear ratios were between different set ups.



    I do have a question though... my bike came stock with a compact crank (50/34) and then an 11-28 cassette (SRAM PG-1050 10 speed).



    I am still learning about gearing, but considering that I am looking at doing more hill rides including HHH and IMoo in 2014, what would a good suggestion for a cassette be for hills?

  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    You've got a good set up for the HHH and IMOO.  I've done both events with this exact same gearing, compact crank 50/34 and 11/28 cassette.  The 28 in back will come in very handy on the climbs as you will be able to spin up the hills and the 11 will keep you from spinning out on the descents.  I think you are all set. 

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