Compare gear ratios and check the range a drivetrain provides.
Gear range determines the span of gradients and speeds a bike handles. A range around 400 per cent covers steep climbs and fast descents, while narrower ranges give closer spacing between gears. Range and spacing trade against each other with a fixed number of gears, which is the central design compromise in any drivetrain.
Bike Gear
Gear range = highest ratio ÷ lowest ratio, expressed as a percentage
These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
Gear range = highest ratio ÷ lowest ratio, expressed as a percentage Gear range determines the span of gradients and speeds a bike handles. A range around 400 per cent covers steep climbs and fast descents, while narrower ranges give closer spacing between gears.
Range and spacing trade against each other with a fixed number of gears, which is the central design compromise in any drivetrain.
This calculator takes 5 inputs: Largest chainring teeth, Smallest chainring teeth, Largest sprocket teeth, Smallest sprocket teeth, Wheel circumference. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.