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It's not uncommon for modern mountain bikes to have as many as 27 gear ratios, or "speeds." Not that long ago, a 10-speed bike seemed like it had a lot of options. Are these 27 speed bikes just a marketing ploy to make it sound like you're getting more? Not necessarily, let's look at why this is.
If a bike didn't have multiple sprockets and derailleurs, the chain would encircle one rear sprocket, resulting in a single 1:1 ratio. So the rear wheel would spin at the same speed that you can pedal.
If we look at the math, for a 26" wheel it would have to travel about 82 inches for one full revolution. If you pedaled at 50 RPM, you would move roughly 340 feet per minute. In other words, less than 4 miles per hour, which is not very fast.
Increasing the number of gears lets you go faster by multiplying the revolutions of the pedals when they're transferred to the wheels. More gear ratios let you manage the amount of effort you need to exert over different slopes and different types of surfaces.
The basic technology that makes this possible is called the derailleur. These are the small metal mechanisms that shift the chain from one sprocket to another.
The size of the sprocket affects the gear ratio, and therefore the amount of force you need to exert to maintain a certain speed. Smaller sprockets are easier for you to turn, but they have to go through more revolutions to cover the same distance.
Balancing the gear ratio against the force you have to exert allows you to make it easier to pedal uphill while maintaining a reasonable speed. On level ground, you can switch to a larger sprocket, letting you go faster with a moderate amount of force.
While these gearing systems make it easier to manage the force you need to exert, single speed mountain bikes are still popular with many people. While they only provide one gear ratio, the biggest advantages people like are lower weight and simplicity.
The gear ratio can be adjusted according to the needs of the rider, but once it is set, it stays at the same ratio. But because of the weight savings and especially the lack of maintenance on the shifting system, many people prefer this option.
Scot Miller writes about buying a cheap mountain bike and other related topics at the Mountain Bike Brands website.
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