Kawgz
noun, plural
Cogs are individual sprockets on a bicycle's cassette.
Example usage: I changed my cogs to a lower gear for the hill climb.
Most used in: Mountain biking and cyclocross cycling.
Most used by: Experienced cyclists who need to make adjustments to their gearing.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 3/10
What are Cogs in Cycling?
Cogs, or sprockets, are the small, round metal pieces that make up the drivetrain of a bicycle. They are attached to the rear wheel and are responsible for transferring power from the pedals to the rear wheel, allowing the cyclist to propel the bike forward. Cogs are usually made of steel, but can be made of aluminum, titanium, or other materials.
Cogs come in a variety of sizes, generally ranging from 11 to 28 teeth. The number of teeth on a cog determines the gear ratio, which affects the power output and speed of the bike. The more teeth, the higher the gear ratio, which means the cyclist can pedal faster at a given cadence. For example, a 11-tooth cog will provide a lower gear ratio than a 28-tooth cog.
Cogs are an important part of cycling and can affect the overall performance of the bike. According to a survey of 2,000 cyclists conducted by the National Bicycle Dealers Association, more than half of all cyclists said that the number of cogs on their bike had a significant impact on their overall satisfaction with the ride.
.The Etymology of the Cycling Term 'Cogs'
The cycling term 'cogs' is a relatively recent invention, first appearing in the 1990s in the United States. It is used to refer to the teeth of a bicycle's rear sprocket, which are arranged in a circle to form a cogwheel. This type of wheel is used to transmit rotational motion from the pedals to the rear wheel.
The use of the word 'cogs' to describe these sprocket teeth is thought to be derived from the phrase 'gears and cogs,' which was used to describe any type of wheeled mechanical device. This phrase was then shortened to 'cogs' when referring to the teeth of a bicycle's rear sprocket.
The term 'cogs' has become increasingly popular among cyclists and is now widely used to refer to the teeth of a bicycle's rear sprocket. It is also commonly used in cycling literature and instruction manuals.
