Do I need to know my exact wheel size to use the calculator?

You can choose from common wheel sizes in the dropdown, but for the most accurate gear inches you should input your actual wheel diameter including the tire.

Can I compare gear inches between different chainring and sprocket combos?

Yes, entering multiple chainrings and sprockets will generate a full table of ratios and gear inches, making it easy to see the spread of your gears.

What if my bike has an internal-gear hub?

The calculator includes a long list of internal-gear hubs from various manufacturers; select your hub type to have its gear ratio factored into the final gear inch calculations.

Is the gear data up to date with current market cassettes?

The cassette library is current as of February 2018; for very new models or custom builds you may need to enter sprocket tooth counts manually.

SportsTool Review

Bike Gear Calculator

Provided bySheldon Brownsheldonbrown.com

The calculator supports chainrings, cassettes, wheel sizes, and optional internal hubs, then generates results in gea...

One of 6 options for Bike Gear Calculator

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Screenshot of Bike Gear Calculator on Sheldon Brown — sheldonbrown.comOpen the live tool →

About this tool

What Bike Gear Calculator does

The Bike Gear Calculator on Sheldon Brown's site lets cyclists input chainring and sprocket teeth counts, select wheel sizes, and choose from a comprehensive list of internal-gear hubs to generate detailed gearing data. The output includes gear ratios and gear inches, providing a realistic picture of how a specific bike setup will perform. The tool is designed for both casual riders and professional mechanics who need to compare full drivetrain configurations. Its strength lies in the depth of its hub library and the ability to fine-tune wheel and tire parameters for accurate measurements.

Step by step

How to use the Sheldon Brown Bike Gear Calculator

1
Select at least one chainring and one sprocket from the listed options or enter custom tooth counts
2
Choose a wheel size from the dropdown or input a custom diameter to match your bike's tires
3
Optionally select an internal-gear hub from the alphabetical manufacturer list if your bike uses one
4
Click the calculate button to generate two output pages with gear ratio and gear inch tables

Is it right for you

Best for

This option suits cyclists and bike mechanics who want a free, detailed analysis of their drivetrain, especially those using internal-gear hubs or wanting to compare multiple chainring and sprocket combinations.

Limitations

The interface is text-heavy and dated, which may feel overwhelming to new users
Results require manual interpretation as the tool does not provide speed or cadence calculations
The selection of cassettes is current only through February 2018, so very new models may be missing

Questions

Bike Gear Calculator FAQ

Do I need to know my exact wheel size to use the calculator?: You can choose from common wheel sizes in the dropdown, but for the most accurate gear inches you should input your actual wheel diameter including the tire.
Can I compare gear inches between different chainring and sprocket combos?: Yes, entering multiple chainrings and sprockets will generate a full table of ratios and gear inches, making it easy to see the spread of your gears.
What if my bike has an internal-gear hub?: The calculator includes a long list of internal-gear hubs from various manufacturers; select your hub type to have its gear ratio factored into the final gear inch calculations.
Is the gear data up to date with current market cassettes?: The cassette library is current as of February 2018; for very new models or custom builds you may need to enter sprocket tooth counts manually.

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