High speed gearing?
- Thread starter Prof Simon
- Start date
harryS
Well-Known Member
Court, Is it OK to throw in an opinion?
Yes, while many ebikes have gearing suitable for the speeds at which they will be ridden, the less expensive models are geared slower than one can pedal comfortably for their top speeds.
The gearing can be changed. You want a bigger chainring (more teeth) up front and a smaller gear (less teeth) in the rear in front. A typical 26"-29" mountain bike will have 48T to 52T in front and 14T on the smallest gear in back. For me, a top speed around 20 mph with 26" wheels is as fast as I can pedal with that combination.
Less expensive bikes use freewheels in the rear. The biggest freewheel supplier, SHimano, limits their smallest sprocket to 14T. Many of us have installed a DNP freewheel with 11T. A DNP 34-11 cost me $33 while a Shimano 34-14 is under $15. The latter is also a better made part, so you can understand why some bike makers go with the less expensive (and more reliable) part. If your bike uses a cassette, there are quite a few 11T models available.
Your bike's frame may limit how big of a chain ring can be installed in front.
Depending on your skill level, it can be done at home or by a shop. Special tools needed to remove the rear and front gears. You may need to adjust the chain length. Tool needed for that too. I would count the teeth on your bike's gears first so you can predict if any improvement is possible.
Yes, while many ebikes have gearing suitable for the speeds at which they will be ridden, the less expensive models are geared slower than one can pedal comfortably for their top speeds.
The gearing can be changed. You want a bigger chainring (more teeth) up front and a smaller gear (less teeth) in the rear in front. A typical 26"-29" mountain bike will have 48T to 52T in front and 14T on the smallest gear in back. For me, a top speed around 20 mph with 26" wheels is as fast as I can pedal with that combination.
Less expensive bikes use freewheels in the rear. The biggest freewheel supplier, SHimano, limits their smallest sprocket to 14T. Many of us have installed a DNP freewheel with 11T. A DNP 34-11 cost me $33 while a Shimano 34-14 is under $15. The latter is also a better made part, so you can understand why some bike makers go with the less expensive (and more reliable) part. If your bike uses a cassette, there are quite a few 11T models available.
Your bike's frame may limit how big of a chain ring can be installed in front.
Depending on your skill level, it can be done at home or by a shop. Special tools needed to remove the rear and front gears. You may need to adjust the chain length. Tool needed for that too. I would count the teeth on your bike's gears first so you can predict if any improvement is possible.
Similar threads
