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Advice For Track Riders:No.1:Gear Ratios PDF Print

Track Gearing Information

Author: Hugh Byrne [mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
Subject: Track Gearing

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Hello All, 

I have had a few questions regarding gearing etc and this is just info that might be of some use. 

As a rule of thumb changing the back sprocket by one tooth makes a difference of approx 4 inches, while added a tooth to the front chainring increases your gearing by 2 inches. 

It is usually advisable to have at least 2 front rings and a few back sprockets. 

So say for example if you have a 48 & 49 front and a 14/15/16 for the back you would have a good choice of gears for most occasions. 

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  • 48x16=81   inches (good warm up gear)
  • 49x16=82.748x15=86.4 Race gear
  • 49x15=88.2 Race gear (not windy)
  • 48x14=92.6 Very fit & strong
  • 49x14=94.5 Too high  

 

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A full chart below and based on that and what is on your bike already you may choose different array of sprockets & chainrings 

If you also had a 50 front ring then with those back sprockets you would also have 84.4, 90 (useful) & 96.4 

(Recommended setups 46,47,48 with 13,14,15  or  49,50,51 with 14,15,16)

Remember that track chains are thicker and any old front ring wont do and also they come with slighly different internal circumferances where the holes are, so check your current chainring for all specifications

Also track rings can be changed quite quickly -5 allen keys that screw straight into the armiture.  

Rear sprockets come in two basic types.

1. 'Screw On' -which will require a chain whip to remove, and

'Miche' -a handier version where the body screws on and the sproket just sits on this and is held by a lock ring which requires that head set open ring type tool .

Another tool that all trackies will need is a ring spanner for the wheel nets. This comes with slightly different size ring on each side and a pedal spanner on the end

As recommended by UK outdoor track......
  • 81" for novices and if you're not fit
  • 84" if reasonably fit and experienced....also intermediate riders if it is windy
  • 88" entry level race gear for FIT riders or super-fit riders on a windy day
  • 90.6" Race gear for very fit or experienced riders ....will be too high for anybody if windy.

    http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/track-bike-gear-chart

    Ring    Cog      Gear
      56      13      116.3
      55      13      114.2
      54      13      112.2
      53      13      110.1
      52      13      108.0
      56      14      108.0
      55      14      106.1
      51      13      105.9
      54      14      104.1
      50      13      103.8
      53      14      102.2
      49      13      101.8
      56      15      100.8
      52      14      100.3
      48      13      99.7
      55      15      99.0
      51      14      98.4
      47      13      97.6
      54      15      97.2
      50      14      96.4
      46      13      95.5
      53      15      95.4
      49      14      94.5
      56      16      94.5
      52      15      93.6
      45      13      93.5
      55      16      92.8
      48      14      92.6
      51      15      91.8
      44      13      91.4
      54      16      91.1
      47      14      90.6
      50      15      90.0
      53      16      89.4
      46      14      88.7
      49      15      88.2
      52      16      87.8
      45      14      86.8
      48      15      86.4
      51      16      86.1
      44      14      84.9
      47      15      84.6
      50      16      84.4
      46      15      82.8
      49      16      82.7
      45      15      81.0
      48      16      81.0
      47      16      79.3
      44      15      79.2
      46      16      77.6
      45      16      75.9
      44      16      74.3

 

 
 
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