Has anyone ran 14/16 gearing?

[SuperchargedWS6]

Stock gearing bike to timbersled is 13/17. I've seen some people mention they like the results of going 14/17. However, this causes chain length issues (need 1/2 link).


Has anyone ran 14/16 gearing? Is this too much gearing to pull? My bike is a RMZ 450 with hotcams and nitrous. This is for mountain riding.


I'm not at the power level of a turbo, but more than a stock bike. If the turbo guys say that 14/16 gearing is perfect or too steep to have the power to pull, the it is definitely too steep for my bike.


Thanks.

 

[SEOINAGE]

I have an sx which stock is 13/16 and uses a shorter chain. It didn't fit so I bumped it up to a longer chain, and went 14/18, but then it was too slow so I dropped the bottom chain case sprocket to a 16. I guess it depends on the power that you have. I'm running a cr500 and it has no issues, in fact think I could change the upper chain case to an 18 and enjoy it still.

You could maybe try 14/16 with the same length chain if there's not enough length for 14/17, then you could put a 16 in the top of chain, if that is way too fast.

One thing to remember in chain case that is 17/17, you can't fit 17/18, but 16/17 can fit, or 16/18 with the stock length chain. So there is a bit of room for gearing options, just move whichever one you need changes to a 16 first rather than an 18.

 

[Motogeek33]

I'm going to run 14-16 this year and I think it will be just right. I'm on a milder bike than you (05 WR450F). I ran the stock 13-17 when I first got the kit, but it was geared way too low. The following season I went to 14-17 with a half-link and it was better, but still a little low. Last year I went back to 13-17, but flipped the chaincase sprockets (20-17 instead of 17-20) -- that was way too high. So this season I'll run 14-16-17-20. I'm not worried about power at all after what it was like last year.

 

[M5-]

I run 14 16 on my CR500. For my bike with the mx trans it is perfect. Solves the chain length issues as well no half link bs. I'm certain the CR500 would pull a 15 but as is, it pulls third with ease and depending on conditions I can sometimes grab 4th on a climb.

M5

 

[oscar]

So if I understand correctly a guy has to run a half link if they want to run a 14/16 ? I don't want to run a half link at all. So now in the chain case mine is currently 17/17. But a 16/18 fits without a half link ?

 

[SEOINAGE]

So if I understand correctly a guy has to run a half link if they want to run a 14/16 ? I don't want to run a half link at all. So now in the chain case mine is currently 17/17. But a 16/18 fits without a half link ?

Yes that is correct, I can fit 16/17 as well without changing anything with the chaincase chain.

Although It might be possible to run 14/16 without a half link, if you were running 13/17 prior and it was fine, then it should work.

 

[M5-]

14 16 No half link, 13 16 needs a half link. 13 17 no half link on the main drive chain, the chaincase is irrelevant.

M5

 

[Ryanexcr]

I just posted in Allen's tip's on Gearing so it has most of your answers in there. Also a couple cool gearing charts that you can customize. and play around with.