Should I go for a 48T or a 56T sprocket?

[Muaya]

Hi! I own a couple beach cruisers equipped with 80cc CDH Power engines, both with the stock 44T sprocket and 26" tires.
I live in an area with a lot of uphills, I've managed to pedal up my way for a year, but is somewhat exhausting.
The hardest uphill is around 12° and I weight 63 Kg (139 pounds).
I don't mind pedaling, but I would like to make it easier, so I'm unsure which sprocket to choose.
Top speed is not really that important for me, but I wouldn't like it to drop below 30 km/h (19 mph on flat road).
Can someone please advice me? Would 4 teeth more make a big difference? Or how much will my top speed drop with the 56T?

Here is a photo of how the hill looks. Thanks.

 

[Greg58]

I can't help with going with a bigger sprocket, I know going from a 44 to a 41 on one of mine hurt the low end torque with a couple mph gain on flat roads. If it were me I would try the 48 first, with the 56 you would really turn up the rpms on flat roads.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

How much do you weigh??? (this will help figure out what sprocket is better for you).

Also, something important to consider, is that if you go fast & keep the RPMs up, a stock engine / sprocket should get you up most any hill.
If you're trying to 'creep' up the hill at low speed?, the engine won't be able to do it no matter what sprocket you have.

 

[Greg58]

Norm I think he said he weighs 139 lbs, I was thinking the 48 should get him up a fairly steep hill.

 

[Greg58]

Somewhere on the forum there is a speed calculator based on gearing, maybe someone will remember where its located.

 

[Muaya]

How much do you weigh??? (this will help figure out what sprocket is better for you).

Also, something important to consider, is that if you go fast & keep the RPMs up, a stock engine / sprocket should get you up most any hill.
If you're trying to 'creep' up the hill at low speed?, the engine won't be able to do it no matter what sprocket you have.

Thanks for the reply, 139 lbs. There's a flat road before the hill, but no matter how fast I manage to get eventually I have to pedal really hard.

 

[Muaya]

Somewhere on the forum there is a speed calculator based on gearing, maybe someone will remember where its located.

Thank you, I think I found it: : https://motorbicycling.com/threads/clutch-mod-cut-off.63399/#post-660789
And here is the direct link: http://jimsitton.net/ratiocalc/

But considering what you said about the high RPMs on high roads it might be wise to follow your advise and go for the 48T