Gears

Speed versus turning force

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Meshing gears trade speed for turning force, in the ratio of their tooth counts.
• Fewer teeth: faster, with less turning force. Meshing gears turn in opposite directions.
• Low bike gears make hills easier by trading speed for force.

Steps

1. Meshing gears
2. Gear ratio
3. An idler gear
4. Pick a bike gear
5. Metres per pedal turn
6. Climbing a hill