My first build was a 50, running a 40T sprocket. It's tire size is 2.125 x 26. That gearing seemed just about perfect. Top speed on a long enough straight is a little over 30 mph, and it cruises comfortably at 25 mph.
Now I have completed a new build. It's an 80, running the same 40T sprocket, but the tire size is a smaller 1.95 x 26. I didn't realize there would be so much difference in gearing from the tire being slightly smaller diameter.
In comparison to the 50, the 80 races up to the red line, but is barely doing 30 mph, and sounds like it's going to explode at that speed. It feels like there's very little load on the engine at top speed. The 50 accelerates up to about 28 then takes it's good old time, to get above 30. Above 28 it feels like the motor is working hard. On the 80 cruising above 20 mph the engine feels very busy, and almost no load, where the 50 could go all day cruising 25 and feels about right load wise.
Obviously the 80 is under geared. I'm planning to change to a 36T sprocket, but my question is, how will that effect coming out of the hole, and cruising around at ultra slow speeds? How slow can you go?
I realize it's impossible to have perfect gearing at every speed with only one gear, but I'd like to increase the cruising speed without ruining the low speed operation.
What I'd like to hear from you is your riding impressions from running a 36T sprocket.
Edit> I added my riding impression after installing my new 36T sprocket.
Today I installed my new 36T Kings sprocket. I just got back from a longish test ride, and I have to say, it really hits the spot on the Cadillac.
For anyone reading this thread trying to decide if a 36T is right for you, the descriptions from everyone that replied to this thread up till now are right on.
This is my impression.
I like this 36T a lot better than the 40T I took off. On my other bike which is a 50cc, a 40T works great. I wouldn't want to gear it any higher, but this 80 is a different story. Cruising on the 50, which has a little lower vibration level, 25 mph is no problem, and blasts up to 30 mph are possible, but it gets pretty buzzy. The 80 with the same 40T feels very buzzy at 25 mph. It only liked to cruise up to about 22 mph. It felt under geared, like there was almost no load on the motor. Now with the 36T, there's just enough load to kill most of the vibs. 25 mph is no longer any problem at all, and even cruising at 30 mph isn't too bad. I even blasted up to 35 mph no problem on flat road, with no wind. Before, if I tried to do that it felt like it was going to blow up way before 35.
One of my main concerns about a 36T was how hard it was going to be coming out of the hole, but really, I can hardly tell any difference. Very low speed riding isn't much different either. I wasn't too concerned about hills. We don't have many big ones where I live, but the ones I do ride don't seem much different. Still a little better than the 50. Big hills probably would be a problem in some parts of the country with a 36T though, so take that into consideration. As far as acceleration on the flat, I can't tell much difference riding by myself.
All in all this was a big improvement.
Now I have completed a new build. It's an 80, running the same 40T sprocket, but the tire size is a smaller 1.95 x 26. I didn't realize there would be so much difference in gearing from the tire being slightly smaller diameter.
In comparison to the 50, the 80 races up to the red line, but is barely doing 30 mph, and sounds like it's going to explode at that speed. It feels like there's very little load on the engine at top speed. The 50 accelerates up to about 28 then takes it's good old time, to get above 30. Above 28 it feels like the motor is working hard. On the 80 cruising above 20 mph the engine feels very busy, and almost no load, where the 50 could go all day cruising 25 and feels about right load wise.
Obviously the 80 is under geared. I'm planning to change to a 36T sprocket, but my question is, how will that effect coming out of the hole, and cruising around at ultra slow speeds? How slow can you go?
I realize it's impossible to have perfect gearing at every speed with only one gear, but I'd like to increase the cruising speed without ruining the low speed operation.
What I'd like to hear from you is your riding impressions from running a 36T sprocket.
Edit> I added my riding impression after installing my new 36T sprocket.
Today I installed my new 36T Kings sprocket. I just got back from a longish test ride, and I have to say, it really hits the spot on the Cadillac.
For anyone reading this thread trying to decide if a 36T is right for you, the descriptions from everyone that replied to this thread up till now are right on.
This is my impression.
I like this 36T a lot better than the 40T I took off. On my other bike which is a 50cc, a 40T works great. I wouldn't want to gear it any higher, but this 80 is a different story. Cruising on the 50, which has a little lower vibration level, 25 mph is no problem, and blasts up to 30 mph are possible, but it gets pretty buzzy. The 80 with the same 40T feels very buzzy at 25 mph. It only liked to cruise up to about 22 mph. It felt under geared, like there was almost no load on the motor. Now with the 36T, there's just enough load to kill most of the vibs. 25 mph is no longer any problem at all, and even cruising at 30 mph isn't too bad. I even blasted up to 35 mph no problem on flat road, with no wind. Before, if I tried to do that it felt like it was going to blow up way before 35.
One of my main concerns about a 36T was how hard it was going to be coming out of the hole, but really, I can hardly tell any difference. Very low speed riding isn't much different either. I wasn't too concerned about hills. We don't have many big ones where I live, but the ones I do ride don't seem much different. Still a little better than the 50. Big hills probably would be a problem in some parts of the country with a 36T though, so take that into consideration. As far as acceleration on the flat, I can't tell much difference riding by myself.
All in all this was a big improvement.
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