48 pitch vs 64 pitch gears

[Needler56]

can someone explain to me the fundamentals behind 48 pitch versus 64 pitch gearing?

[Dagger Thrasher]

48P gears simply use larger teeth than 64P gears. 48P gears are therefore stronger and more durable than 64P. However, 64P gears are quieter and more efficient, which makes them ideal for use in touring cars...48P is more commonly used in offroaders where they are subject to higher strain, shock, dirt, etc. :)

[Needler56]

ok, so is one necessarily faster than the other?

[elcid4300]

I would imagine the 64 pitch would have a little bit less drag, but I doubt you could notice any real difference. Another thing is that the 64 pitch allows you to make a finer gear ratio adjustment.

[4W Guy]

ok, so is one necessarily faster than the other?

One is not faster than the other. If you look at gearing charts 64P gears have smaller increments when changing gears. This allows for finer tuning.

[Needler56]

One is not faster than the other. If you look at gearing charts 64P gears have smaller increments when changing gears. This allows for finer tuning.

ok, that was the answer i was looking for, thanks 4w guy. so basically the higher the pitch, the finer the tuning.

[Grizzbob]

Essentially correct, the more teeth in the spur, the more fine the gearing adjustment you can make by changing the pinion(smaller increments), & 64 pitch spurs can fit more teeth in a similar space compared to 48 pitch, so it's easier to set up for small geairng adjustments with 64. However, 64 pitch is also more sensitive to breakage & gear mesh, so you must be ABSOLUTELY sure to get the gear mesh just right, & even at that you can still strip a 64 pitch spur more easily than a 48 pitch one. That's also why you don't see off-roaders use 64 pitch, those cars take too much abuse, 64 pitch gears just don't hold up to it, but for on-road, they have a much easier time of it, so if you're careful, you can make use of them.... :cool: