Changing gearing on a hub geared bike

[-Lummox-]

Can anyone help me out with how straightforward this is?

I have a Tern Link P7i folding bike which I use to commute to work, it has a Shimano Nexus 7 rear hub gear.

I find the gearing on the bike way too low, I never use gears 1-3, can pull off in 4 and spend most of the time in top gear on the flat or on slight inclines (pedalling like mad and looking like a right silly bugger). This to me says the gearing is lower than it should be, right?

Thing is I have no idea how to change the gearing on a hub geared bike. I know I can get different sprockets for the rear wheel but is it just (as I hope) a case of swapping to a sprocket with fewer teeth and bob's your uncle, or is there more to it?

[anonymous-user]

I'm thinking of doing similar on a bike of mine . Some info here:-
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html

[-Lummox-]

Thanks. That link seems to suggest the gearing can be changed just by changing the rear sprocket.

Now to figure out how to get the back wheel off... It looked much easier on my old Brompton, but I've never had a flat on the Tern in about 18 months of riding it every day. Kudos to Schwalbe for their very puncture resistant tyres...

[aclivity]

If changing the rear sprocket downwards is a challenge, you can also change the front chainwheel to a larger one as well.

I'm considering doing this on my Brompton - currently on a 13t rear, I think a 54t front would work on my bike.

[-Lummox-]

aclivity said:

If changing the rear sprocket downwards is a challenge, you can also change the front chainwheel to a larger one as well.

I'm considering doing this on my Brompton - currently on a 13t rear, I think a 54t front would work on my bike.

Gotta learn how to get the wheel off at some point anyway, the rear tyre is now slick where it should be treaded, so I think it's getting towards time for replacement. Can't grumble, has lasted me approx 2k miles!