Change bicycle gear ratios?

Question

I have a 7 speed bike (Schwinn Riverside) and I have found that the gears are not low enough. There are a lot of hills where I live. My biggest sprocket is 28 tooth and I was wondering what I can do to get a 32 or 34 tooth low gear. Is that reasonably possible?

OldHippie · Accepted Answer

You will need to see a bicycle shop & have them swap out the freewheel or cassette (whichever one you have) for one with a larger (size wise) 1st gear.  Yes it possible.  You may need a new (longer) chain too.

? · Answer

You can probably get away with a 12-32 tooth freewheel with any problem and it will help a lot.  Since you only have one chain ring you don't have to worry about chain wrap capacity.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-CS-HG20-Cassette-12-32t-Speed/dp/B005DTX5I2/ref=sr_1_10?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1334267864&sr=1-10

You will need a tool the remove it. FR-1

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/cassette-and-freewheel-removal

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=s9_dnav_bw_ir03_s?node=3404771&page=1&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=F1E6C52D07714204ABF1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1306413802&pf_rd_i=3404731#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D3404771&field-keywords=fr1&rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A%213375301%2Cn%3A2232464011%2Cn%3A3403201%2Cn%3A3404731%2Cn%3A3404771%2Ck%3Afr1

Anonymous · Answer

you may need a different derailleur as well as new chain

or maybe just put a smaller chain ring on..

wle

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Change bicycle gear ratios?

3 Answers