How can I increase the highest gear ratio? I am looking for some higher cog front gears for an old bike I am considering. I've been away from it for some time and don't know the current number of cogs on the front ring, but I am looking to maybe put a really large ring on it. I just find that there are times I need one or two more gears to shift up to. I don't always ride in the highest gear, but I have way too much in the lower range.

Is it possible to switch to a larger front ring to boost my higher end range?
Some background on the front chainrings:


Lots of bikes have a front derailleur, allowing more than one chainring. Some bikes have a single front chainring and no derailleur.
They're called chainrings rather than cogs (which are at the back).
There are typically either 3 or 2 chainrings on the front crankset.
If there are 2 chainrings, there are two 'flavours': Compact (with smaller rings, eg: 50 tooth and 34 tooth) or Standard (with larger rings eg: 53 tooth and 39 tooth)
Another important stat is the BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter). This is the diameter of the circle described by the bolts attaching the chainring to the crankset. A common figure is 130mm.


So you have a few factors to consider, and there's more information we need.


Do you have a front derailleur?
How many chainrings are in the front?
What make and model do you currently have?
How many teeth are on each chainring?
How many cogs are you your rear cassette?
How many teeth are on the smallest and the largest cog on the cassette?


With this information we can give you some advice. Just as an alternative, you can also replace the cassette at the back to change your gear ratios.