To increase gear ratio, can i just get a bigger chainring?

Question

i have a cafe 8, with the standard 38t chainring. i find myself climbing hilss in 2nd-3rd gear. so my question is, would changing to a more teeth chainring help me?

Answer 1

Would a bigger ring help you? I'm not sure. Climbing a hill in 2nd or 3rd isn't a bad thing. If you find you run out of gear at faster speeds then by all means buy a bigger ring. If not why bother?

Answer 2

You could change your rear cassette. Less tooth count = higher gear ratio.