but I did back 2 back test at sepang many years ago on 100cc.
i use 11tooth vs 10tooth. 11 was much easy to throttle early compare to 10. I use 11 for timetrials and 10 for the race. because 11 will be a disadvantage during rolling lap on green light drag race to the 1st corner.

I believe in my feedback. I believe I got game many gears ago.

Did it work?
Are you sure you didn't change anything else as well?

It seems there are 3 opinions to what the difference is now:

• No noticeable performance difference.
• Larger drive sprocket = more uumph early on.
• Larger drive sprocket = less uumph early on.

wow memory lane.
I think it was the a year before or the same or after. by Mofaz not KBS i think. i remember they had a TV showing laptime during quali. I end up 2nd in trials and Arya on pole.

on the subject, looks like we need a poll for the 3 opinions..

I got a few more "authoritative" views on the subject...

First from Wright Karts UK:



And then from Vortex Italy:


There are still a lot of people that swear there is a noticeable difference though.

Think data-logging is the only way to settle this..

I think simple math and physics is enough.

It really is as simple as ratio = ratio imo.

Torque is generated on the down-stroke of the piston which acts on the conrod which acts on the crankshaft to make it rotate. That is where the torque is made.... not at the front sprocket.

If you are twisting the front sprocket by hand with the chain attached to it then the front sprocket size will make a difference to how easy it is for you to move it because in that case a larger sprocket = more leverage.

Just to add to the list, Shimano and some other bicycle dude talk about same ratio different sprockets.

someone have been googling


data-log Mikko. only then you can sleep easy

It accelerates faster due to a tiny difference in weight - and notice how they mention that this is far outweighed by chain alignment for example. I'm not sure even lance armstrong would notice a 1 tooth difference with the same ratio.

If the difference is negligible on a human-powered bicycle surely it is even more so on a kart. Remember the difference in weight is say maybe 30 grams.. that's from several kilograms of other stuff that has to be rotated, not to mention 160kg of kart+driver that has to be pushed along.

I sleep fairly well. If I read or hear even one remotely plausible explanation (that agrees with the laws of physics) as to why there is a noticeable difference then I might go and test it myself - otherwise believing my physics+math text books and Vortex, Dpeng, Wright Karts, Shimano and Renthal will do.

tip. new less teeth sprocket can give u more revs than old 1 teeth up sprocket.think about it.

let me guess, its a joke right?

no joke. one thing i know through experience in this sport is there is no right or wrong. mostly u do a lot of testing and see what works for a particular day or session. hey rock, next time when u go out to the track, run a well worn sprocket first, then replace it with a brand new one but with one less teeth, and then see if i'm joking or not! dont knock it if u have not tested it! and also put the 2 sprockets together and compare. then go figure.

but whos gonna run a well worn sprocket first place.

even if its true, i dont see point. We are gonna use a good used or brand new sprocket in a race meet neways.

the well worn sprocket is to exaggerate the difference for comparison sake. u can run a good used one or a new one but thats not the point i am emphasizing here. there are a lot of karters who will put in a new sprocket begining of time trial till end of race without realizing that the wearing off actually does have an effect on the number of revs attained.
and this is not applied only for race meet. u can be doing ur testing running an old one but then come race day u put on a new one and then u might be over reving at the end of the main straight!
anyway u dont need to try it if u dont want to and if u think it is a waste of time.

experience tells me 1 tooth = 400~500rpm (used, new or worn)
what youre saying does not compute for me..