larger chain wheel

[bird_E]

I ride a Haro F3 2005 and recently I've been interested in making it my race bike. Anyway, it first ran a 39/14, but I found that most of the time I was freewheeling and not gaining speed. I was just wondering, do all gear ratios that are close to 2.75 make you ride at the same speed? I switched the chain wheel with a 44t the other day and I like the speed it gets to, but is it really worth it seeing as I dropped my acceleration heaps? My new set up is 44/14. Is it worth it to sacrifice good acceleration for the ability to power through the straights?

[Eggit]

In racing your gate start means almost everything. Stick with your 39/14 and just learn to pedal faster to keep up with the gear.

[mantra51]

It really deoends whether you want to focus more on spinning, or power. Find a happy medium, i run 40/14, but it all depends. How long are your cranks? Whats your primary track like?

[Billspeer]

i run 43/15(20"). if i use anything easier, i feel like i'm just dumping all my energy into little bursts, and i can barely compete.
of cousre i'm not a real athlete either...just got skill :)

[crupi rider]

on my 20 i'm running 46/13 i'm problay the fastest out of the da gate. and the rythem i get awsome speed.

[mantra51]

no way thats right, 46-13 is like way over 60 gear-inches, you definately have that wrong if your gates are at all good. Otherwise you need to go to another track because theres obvioulsy no competition for you there. 46-13 is retardedly big. I dont mean to be critical, but dont post with that BS

[crupi rider]

it is not bs and there is nothing wrong running 46/13 every body here runs 46s

[Eggit]

they are probably running 46/16 wich is still a tad high. 46/13 is a 70 inch gear!!! That is absolutely massive.

[mantra51]

Thank you eggit. No one runs that gear, il bet you 50 bucks youre mistaken about the freewheel size. Its not a 13. Probably a 16, which is big, but good if your more of a power rider. NO WAY IN HELL IS IT A 13 OR EVEN and 14. Thats rediculous, and i cant believe your still caliming youre right, you obvioulsy either dont know your own bike, or dont know how to gear it. PERIOD.

You can pay me the $50 via paypal chrisinmatra@yahoo.com. Vise versa if your right, which i guarantee your not,.

[JTBikes]

The most common gears in racing are around 43/16 or 44/16. these are pretty good to get you out of the gate and out of the turns very quickly. on the straights you will feel like you are spinning out. This is where endurance comes in SPRINTS and SQUATS. A good rule of thumb is spin to win.
JT
www.jtbikes.com

[maac0953]

None of this is any good if you do not tell us the tire size that you are running your gears on. As you know you need to say (20" 1.125 or 1.375 or 1.50 or 1.75 or 2" 16/44 on 1.75 = 53.6 this is for spinners on 1.50 = 52.9 or 1.375 = 57.8 or 1.125 = 56.4 this is all on the (16/44) So when I look over the subject this will help with the right.

thanks

[Stegahorse]

New to BMX?
Start at a 2.75:1 gearing. 44/16.
As you get stronger, consider 2.8:1 area ratios, or 45/16
Many Pros run between 39/14 to 46/16 with few at 47/17.

If you have shorter legs, spinning 44-45/16 is better. You can accelerate faster than a higher ratio and can, therefore, put moves on competetors.

If you are taller and can torque the higher ratio 46/16, you can power by people. But you have to remember to keep your speed. Getting speed back up on 46/16 is much harder to do.

The track itself is also a consideration. A fairly level track will use your average gearing.
A track that is mosly downhill will help with speed and 1/2 to 1 tooth larger might be the way to go.

The Best test is to see how low you can go in the turns and still pedal through the turns. If you can get really low, you may need 1/2-1 tooth added to your ratio. If you are at the top of the track and fighting to stay on the bike and the turn, you may need to reduce the ratio 1/2-1 tooth.
You want options and committing to one plan of attack reduces your chances of success.