What gear ratio is best for track cycling?

It depends on the event. Sprint events (flying 200 m, keirin) typically use 110–130+ gear inches. Endurance events like the individual pursuit use 104–120 inches. Omnium and points-race riders often choose 90–105 inches to handle pace changes. Beginners are often restricted to 84 gear inches or fewer during velodrome training sessions.

How do I convert gear inches to kilometres per hour?

Speed (km/h) = metres of development × cadence (rpm) × 60 ÷ 1000. Metres of development = gear inches × 0.07980 (i.e. 0.0254 × π). At 100 rpm on an 88-inch gear: development ≈ 7.02 m, speed ≈ 7.02 × 100 × 60 ÷ 1000 ≈ 42.1 km/h.

What is the UCI junior gear rollout limit?

Until 2023, the UCI limited junior riders to a maximum rollout distance of 7.93 metres per pedal revolution (approximately 99 gear inches on a 700c wheel). As of 2023, the UCI removed this restriction, though some national federations still apply their own limits. Always check with your local federation before racing.

Track Cycling Gear Ratio, Cadence & Lap Time Calculator

Q: What velodrome track lengths exist?

Common velodrome lengths are 200 m (Calshot, Herne Hill), 250 m (most UCI-standard indoor velodromes), 333 m or 333.33 m (some older outdoor tracks), and 400 m (outdoor tracks). A few venues use other lengths. The UCI mandates indoor championship tracks be 250 m.

Gear inches · Metres of development · Speed at cadence · Lap splits for every UCI event — any velodrome

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your chainring (front ring) and sprocket (rear cog) tooth counts, select your tyre size, input your target cadence in RPM, and choose your velodrome's lap length. All four core gearing values — gear ratio, gear inches, metres of development, and speed — update instantly. The event table below shows estimated lap counts and completion times for nine standard UCI track events on your chosen velodrome.

Step-by-Step

1. Chainring & sprocket: These are stamped or engraved on most track components. The most common track setups range from 46×14 for beginners to 52×13 for elite sprinters.

2. Tyre size: Select the ETRTO size stamped on your tyre sidewall. Most dedicated track tyres are 700c × 22 or 700c × 23 mm tubulars. The calculator uses the formula: wheel diameter = rim diameter (622 mm for 700c) + 2 × tyre width.

3. Cadence: Enter the RPM you plan to hold or peak at. Sprint events peak at 130–160+ rpm; pursuit riders typically cruise at 95–110 rpm. The speed output reflects this cadence, so enter your realistic sustained cadence for endurance events and your peak sprint cadence for sprint events.

4. Track length: Select your velodrome's lap length. Most UCI championship indoor tracks are exactly 250 m, but many local velodromes are 200 m, 333 m, or 400 m. The lap count and event times scale automatically.

Formulas & Method

Gear Ratio = chainring ÷ sprocket Wheel ø (m) = (rim_ø_mm + 2 × tyre_width_mm) ÷ 1000 Gear Inches = Gear Ratio × wheel_ø_inches [wheel_ø_in = wheel_ø_mm ÷ 25.4] Development(m) = π × wheel_ø_m × Gear Ratio (= circumference × ratio) Speed (km/h) = Development × cadence_rpm × 60 ÷ 1000 Lap time (s) = track_length_m ÷ (Speed_km_h × 1000 ÷ 3600) Event time = Lap time × number_of_laps

These formulas follow the standard definitions used by the UCI and verified against the Wikipedia Gear inches article (which confirms: metres of development = gear inches × 0.0254π). The conversion factor is exact: 0.0254 m/inch × π.

Understanding the Outputs

Gear Inches

Gear inches is the traditional Anglo-American measure of gearing, equivalent to the wheel diameter (in inches) of a penny-farthing that would travel the same distance per crank revolution. It lets riders compare setups regardless of wheel size or chainring/sprocket combinations. Higher gear inches = harder to push, higher top speed. Most velodrome training sessions for adults restrict riders to a maximum of 84 gear inches; the UCI previously restricted juniors to a rollout of 7.93 m (≈ 99 gear inches) until 2023.

Metres of Development

Metres of development (also "rollout distance") is the metric equivalent: how many metres your bike travels per complete crank revolution. It's the measure used by UCI for rollout limits and by most European coaches. A 49×14 on a 700c×23mm wheel gives ≈ 7.33 m — meaning every pedal stroke covers 7.33 metres of track.

Speed at Cadence

The speed output assumes you maintain the entered cadence perfectly throughout. In reality, sprint events start well below peak cadence and accelerate. For endurance events (pursuit, kilo, scratch) the constant-cadence speed is a realistic target once up to speed. Use it to reverse-engineer: if you need to hold 55 km/h in a pursuit, what cadence does your current gear require?

Event Lap Counts & Times

Event distances are based on UCI regulations for a 250 m track and scaled proportionally for other lap lengths. Fractional laps are shown where the event distance does not divide evenly into the selected track length (e.g. a flying 200 m on a 250 m track starts mid-lap). The time estimate assumes constant speed at your input cadence — real times will differ due to acceleration, tactics, and fatigue.

Choosing the Right Gear for Your Event

Flying 200 m / Match Sprint / Keirin: Elite sprinters run 110–130+ gear inches (e.g. 52×13 ≈ 121 gi). The gear must allow maximum cadence at peak speed without spinning out. Experiment to find where your power curve peaks.

1 km Time Trial (Kilo) / 500 m TT: Requires a compromise — big enough to build speed quickly from a standing start, not so large you can't turn it over. Typical range 92–108 gear inches depending on rider strength.

Individual & Team Pursuit: Pursuit bikes typically run 104–120 gear inches. The goal is to sustain maximum aerobic power. Cadence target is usually 100–110 rpm.

Endurance events (Omnium, Points Race, Scratch): A more moderate gear (88–100 inches) allows tactical acceleration and recovery without bogging down in attacks.

Velodrome size matters: Smaller 200 m tracks with steep banking generate more natural speed; riders sometimes run slightly smaller gears than on a 250 m track. On outdoor 400 m tracks, head/tail wind affects gear choice significantly.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong wheel diameter: Gear inches and development both depend on actual wheel diameter, not nominal "700c." A 700c×23mm tyre has an effective diameter of 668 mm, not 700 mm. This calculator computes the diameter from rim and tyre width.

Confusing gear ratio with gear inches: A 49×14 and a 47×13.5 have similar ratios, but "gear ratio" alone ignores wheel size. Two bikes with the same gear ratio but different wheel sizes will travel different distances per crank turn.

Cadence vs. sustained power: A gear that allows 150 rpm in a 10-second sprint may destroy your legs in 16 laps of a pursuit. Match cadence and gear to your event duration and physiology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is metres of development in track cycling?

Metres of development (also called rollout distance) is how far a track bike travels per full crank revolution. It equals wheel circumference (in metres) multiplied by the gear ratio (chainring ÷ sprocket). A 49×14 setup on a standard 700c×23mm wheel gives approximately 7.33 m per pedal stroke. It's the metric equivalent of gear inches and the measure used by the UCI for rollout limit regulations.

How do I calculate gear inches for a track bike?

Gear inches = (chainring ÷ sprocket) × wheel diameter in inches. For a 700c wheel with a 23 mm tyre, the effective diameter is about 26.3 inches (668 mm ÷ 25.4). A 48×15 ratio gives (48÷15) × 26.3 ≈ 84.2 gear inches. Many velodrome training sessions restrict adults to a maximum of 84 gear inches for beginners' or accreditation sessions.

What gear ratio is best for the individual pursuit?

Elite pursuit riders typically use 104–120 gear inches (roughly 8.3–9.6 m of development). This allows a cruising cadence of 100–110 rpm at sustained speeds of around 50–58 km/h. The exact gear depends on rider FTP, aerodynamic drag, and track altitude. At sea level, a 49×14 (≈ 7.33 m development) at 105 rpm gives about 46.2 km/h — competitive at club level. World-class men target 55+ km/h average.

What velodrome track lengths exist?

Common indoor velodrome lengths are 200 m (Calshot Velodrome, Herne Hill), 250 m (UCI-standard, e.g. Manchester, Ghent, Adelaide), and occasionally 333 m. Outdoor tracks vary widely: 333 m, 400 m, and longer. The UCI mandates that tracks used for World Championship events be between 250 m and 400 m, with 250 m being the standard for elite indoor competition. This calculator supports any custom length.

What was the UCI junior gear rollout limit?

Until 2023, the UCI limited junior riders to a maximum rollout of 7.93 metres per pedal revolution (approximately 99 gear inches on a 700c wheel). The UCI removed this restriction in 2023, though some national federations still apply their own limits for younger age categories. Always verify with your national federation before racing juniors.

How does velodrome track length affect lap count in events?

UCI event distances are fixed in metres (e.g. 4,000 m for the individual pursuit). The number of laps you must complete equals distance ÷ lap length. On a 250 m track, the pursuit is exactly 16 laps. On a 200 m track it's 20 laps. On a 333.333 m track it's 12 laps. For events like the flying 200 m — where only the last 200 m is timed — the entry point and timing line position depend on the track design.

How do I convert gear inches to km/h?

First convert gear inches to metres of development by multiplying by 0.07980 (= 0.0254 × π). Then: Speed (km/h) = development_m × cadence_rpm × 60 ÷ 1000. Example: 98 gear inches × 0.07980 = 7.82 m development. At 105 rpm: 7.82 × 105 × 60 ÷ 1000 = 49.3 km/h. This calculator does all steps automatically.

⚠ Guidance only: Times are computed at constant cadence and do not account for acceleration, cornering, air resistance, altitude, or fatigue. Use for planning and comparison — not as a substitute for coach-led testing. Gear choice is highly individual; consult a coach for event-specific recommendations.

Track Cycling Gear Ratio & Lap Time Calculator