Discussion
Hi all. I have a mountain bike which I feel as though I need a higher top gear. The rear sprocket is a shimano which has 6 gears. The smallest one has 14 teeth on it.
Is changing this for a smaller one going to be my easiest option? What size is the lowest I could go? And how easy is it to actually change? Am I right in thinking that if I stick with another 6 gear sprocket I won't need to touch the derailer?
I've never done this before and I am fairly handy so if not too hard I'll have a go myself.
Is changing this for a smaller one going to be my easiest option? What size is the lowest I could go? And how easy is it to actually change? Am I right in thinking that if I stick with another 6 gear sprocket I won't need to touch the derailer?
I've never done this before and I am fairly handy so if not too hard I'll have a go myself.
I think you'll find that your wheel has a freewheel fitted and you wont be able to get one with much less than 14 teeth. Does it look a bit like this??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-set-6-speed-...
I think you'll find you'll need a new wheel with a freehub and then you can fit a much wider range of cassettes with as few as 11 teeth. You would need a new rear mech and shifter but if you're shrewd you can probably can them cheap on line. Before you go too far you should measured the distance between the rear dropouts. It'll probably be 130mm which may limit you a bit.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a chat with a local bike shop of see if you can get to know anyone at a local bike club?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-set-6-speed-...
I think you'll find you'll need a new wheel with a freehub and then you can fit a much wider range of cassettes with as few as 11 teeth. You would need a new rear mech and shifter but if you're shrewd you can probably can them cheap on line. Before you go too far you should measured the distance between the rear dropouts. It'll probably be 130mm which may limit you a bit.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a chat with a local bike shop of see if you can get to know anyone at a local bike club?
Just counted again and it's definitely 52 teeth on the front sprocket and 14 on the smallest rear one. I seem to cycle at around 19-20 mph and my legs just seem to be going too fast! Maybe I don't want a mountain bike, but that's all I have 
Edited by audi321 on Monday 29th September 11:03
Typical (recommend) cadence is about 85 pedal strokes a minute.
Even with the gears you have got you should be able to be knock on at 26mph
I can see this being a problem downhill, but I would have thought on a flat this is plenty fast enough.
It may be just a case of getting used to pedalling at a fast cadence ??
speed in mph at cadence (rpm)
gearcad. 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120
52 x 14 15.4 17.0 18.5 20.1 21.6 23.2 24.7 26.3 27.8 29.4 30.9 32.4 34.0 35.5 37.1
Even with the gears you have got you should be able to be knock on at 26mph
I can see this being a problem downhill, but I would have thought on a flat this is plenty fast enough.
It may be just a case of getting used to pedalling at a fast cadence ??
speed in mph at cadence (rpm)
gearcad. 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120
52 x 14 15.4 17.0 18.5 20.1 21.6 23.2 24.7 26.3 27.8 29.4 30.9 32.4 34.0 35.5 37.1
audi321 said:
Gizmoish said:
What bike do you have? Buying a new wheel seems an unusual step for a bike that sounds quite low level...
A new wheel? Is that what these sprockets are called? I just thought it was going to be a >£20 job.....obviously not then?Now answer the question.
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