Why are gears on a bike called sprockets instead of gears.?

Question

help!

Answer 1

Because they pull chain instead of pushing other gears.

Answer 2

Because people will get gear confused with gear.

"Gear" also means "Equipment", camping-gear. A cyclist's tool-kit, his tent and sleeping bag, his camp-stove etc. are his gear.

Two meanings of the same word.

Answer 3

The pieces that correspond to these terms fit the definition of both.

Keep it in the big ring.

Answer 4

I think in the old school machinist terminology, "sprocket" is more accurate than "gear" when it comes to bike parts because of how they're made/shaped.  

Anyway, in the bike world, gears are gears are gears.  

The normal terms are "chainring" or "chainwheel" for the front gears, and "cogs" or "cassette/freewheel" for the rear.   In the BMX world, they usually call the front gears "sprockets" for some reason.   And lots of people call the rear gears sprockets, too....but those people are just screwed up.   lol   :o)

Hope this helps some.  Just remember that if you specify front or rear, most people will understand what you're talking about no matter which term you use.  But sticking with the normal ones will make you look smart.   :o)

Answer 5

Not only bicycle ........  Car or motorcycle engine has timing chain or belt and sprockets ..... . Gear is word for ratio , on bicycle is standard count crank and cassette size by teeth , example 52 crank size  - 11  cassette size . Engine sprockets is measured by size . You may also like to know that some sprockets in industrial heavy engines is direct drive and there may be more then two sprockets ( no chain or belt ).

Answer 6

"now is the time on Sprockets when we dance..

..okay, you may pet my monkey.."

Answer 7

On a motorcycle, there called sprockets front or rear. I'm just getting out of sport bikes and learning about bicycles (which I've taken an interest in after not owning a bicycle for like 12 years) but a feel that any bike shop would understand which piece you were reffering to, but if you can learn the modern terms, i think you would avoid peeving the anal ones.