What cassette should I use?

For flat terrain, 11-25 or 11-28. For hilly routes, 11-32 or 11-34. For mountains, 11-36 or wider. Wider range cassettes have bigger jumps between gears, which can feel less smooth.

What is an acceptable gear jump?

Jumps under 15% feel smooth when shifting. Jumps of 15-20% are noticeable but acceptable. Jumps over 20% can disrupt your cadence significantly. Road racing cassettes (11-25) have smaller jumps than touring cassettes (11-34).

How does wheel size affect gearing?

Larger wheels (700c, 29-inch) cover more ground per pedal revolution than smaller wheels (650b, 26-inch). This means a 700c wheel with the same gear ratio is effectively a slightly higher gear than a 650b wheel.

What cadence should I use for calculations?

Most cyclists pedal at 80-100 RPM. Competitive road cyclists aim for 90-100 RPM. Recreational riders often sit at 70-85 RPM. Use your typical cadence for more accurate speed estimates.

BikeCalcs

Cassette Calculator — Sprocket Spacing & Gear Ratios

Analyse cassette tooth counts, gear jumps, ratios and speed at cadence for road and mountain bike gearing.

Front Chainring

Number of teeth on chainring

Wheel SizeAffects speed calculations

Cassette Sprockets

Enter tooth counts separated by dashes, smallest to largest

How We Calculate This

Gear Analysis

Jump % = (Larger - Smaller) / Smaller x 100

Speed = (Chainring / Sprocket) x Cadence x Wheel circumference x 60 / 1000

Gear range = Largest sprocket / Smallest sprocket x 100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Gear Ratio Calculator

Calculate gear ratios from chainring and sprocket tooth counts.

Gear Inches Calculator

Convert gear ratios to gear inches for comparison.

Development Calculator

Calculate distance travelled per pedal revolution for any gear.

Chainring Calculator

Compare chainring sizes and their effect on gearing range.

Speed in Gear Calculator

Calculate road speed for any gear at a given cadence.

Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify results and consult a professional bike fitter where appropriate.