[Jessetw200]

Well, my bowhunting season has started on the Wasatch Front in Utah. This terrain is very steep and rugged. This will be my first time having the TW up there and would like to low my gear as low as I can without adding or removing a link from my chain. Been told to leave the stock rear sprocket alone and add a tooth to my front. But I figure this would be the place to ask on gear changing. Thank you for your help.

 

[n2o2diver]

It is a bigger pain to change the front. You have to remove the side cover of the motor. It requires an oil change, a new gasket, oil seals should be changed as well. You have to be careful when you resemble not to pinch the wires.

I would just change out the rear.

 

[srs713]

The advice you got was probably due to the fact that one tooth on the front changes the ratio as much as three or four teeth on the rear.

To keep the same chain length and get the most ratio change, a new front sprocket is the choice on most bikes.



BUT ! ! ! As n2o2diver said, on the TW the front is a pain in the a** to change.

I understand the desire to not mess with the length of the chain, but on these bikes it's probably a better idea.



Since you probably are going to be needing a longer chain, I'd advise a complete new set of sprockets & o-ring chain.



First though, I suggest making sure the current ratio needs changing... try a trip & see if the TW already has the low end pull you need.

Then if it doesn't, you'll have a better idea of how much you want to change the ratio.

 

[elime]

What has already been said is very true but it is not a big deal to lengthen a chain. Just get a short piece and a second master link. Easy as can be!



Red arrows point to master links.

BTW, I run 14/55 and I am happy with it. I can cruise at 60 and there is plenty of torque when going slow.

 

[Phantom99]

Try the stock ratios first. I can't believe that anyone actually NEEDS a lower ratio, unless they are going to take off the wheels and power a sawmill. 8=)



Seriously, if you insist on changing it, add one or at most two teeth to the rear. You should not have to mess with the chain, aside from adjusting it.

 

[Ayers Garage]

Well, my bowhunting season has started on the Wasatch Front in Utah. This terrain is very steep and rugged. This will be my first time having the TW up there and would like to low my gear as low as I can without adding or removing a link from my chain. Been told to leave the stock rear sprocket alone and add a tooth to my front. But I figure this would be the place to ask on gear changing. Thank you for your help.

You'd want to subtract from the tooth count of the front sprocket, not add.

 

[retmotor]

Here's the TW sprocket / gearing calculator that Petrus posted: http://www.it-ideas.net/bike/calc.htm



It may help give you an idea what you're looking at, stock vs a bigger rear sprocket, and what you'll get out of the change if you decide you need it.

 

[n2o2diver]

You'd want to subtract from the tooth count of the front sprocket, not add.

Good catch! I didn't even notice he said go bigger on the front. That would have been a whole lot of work with disappointing results.

 

[Jessetw200]

Okay, thanks a lot guys for your help. It seems like I got a few options to look at. Do you think if I drop a tooth on the front it will make a big difference or should I drop it 2 teeth? And by doing this it shouldn't mess with my chain length right? I am up for and oil change so this might be a good time to do it.

 

[retmotor]

From what I've read, a 13 in front is too small unless you have a huge sprocket on the rear. It causes clearance issues with the chain.

 

[goldenhtr]

Okay, thanks a lot guys for your help. It seems like I got a few options to look at. Do you think if I drop a tooth on the front it will make a big difference or should I drop it 2 teeth? And by doing this it shouldn't mess with my chain length right? I am up for and oil change so this might be a good time to do it.

Jesse I think what everyone is trying to say is if you want lower gearing add teeth to the rear sprocket. I use my TW for deer hunting as well. Also for riding forest roads. I;ve found that a 52 tooth rear is just right. Could go 54 as well, and may try that in the future. I'm sure that if you need a few links there are some on the forum that can send you a couple. My 52 uses 124 links, 2 more than stock for my 01'

 

[Bodi]

I Elk Hunt the bottom of Willow Creek behind Strawberry. I would keep the front stock sprocket and go up to a 60 rear tooth. I run a 60 rear on one bike and a 70 rear on my hunting bike. Get a rear cycle rack and a better front tire and you are set for wasatch single track

 

[frog13]

I Elk Hunt the bottom of Willow Creek behind Strawberry. I would keep the front stock sprocket and go up to a 60 rear tooth. I run a 60 rear on one bike and a 70 rear on my hunting bike. Get a rear cycle rack and a better front tire and you are set for wasatch single track

EEEKKKKK.....60 & 70 tooth rear(s)......torque monsters!.