How much top-end speed will I lose with 18" rear tires?

[Blasterdude27]

Ok another over asked question.
How much top-end speed will I lose with 18" rear tires? if I use 14/38 gearing will I just brake-even, or will thier still be a loss of top end?
I ride trails and gravel pits so 18s would be nice, but I also ride tons of straight-aways. Would I be better off sticking with 21"s?
Thank you

 

[coreyownz]

get 20's i have 18's and just 14-40 and seams the same

 

[Blasterdude27]

Any one eles?

 

[specialized7]

i would go with 20's forsure

 

[mystahagy]

I went from stock balloon tires down to 18" tires and the difference was huge on stock gearing, almost silly. Top speed in 6th was like 3rd gear on balloon tires, and I had to regear to compensate.

Next set I'm going up to 20's for sure. From a trails point of view you don't want 18's. It's doable, but you'll be dragging the swingarm skidplate everywhere. If you still go 18's, at least the blaster is light enough to lift out of a hole.

 

[Blaster 326]

True, I have 18's on mine and I Ride Quarry's, Trails, And Flats And I'm Getting Hung up In Some Ruts.I Hate Having to stop, especially going uphill.I'm Running 14/40,But I Don't have much top end,My buddy Pulls on me with his Blaster,Same gears,But 20's.

 

[weld_13]

Go with 20" and probly a maxxis razr 1

 

[Blasterdude27]

Thanks to all for the help! Nice to see you over here weld 13!

 

[twinstaxx]

18" tires 38/14=54.02@8000
21"tires 40/13=55.64@8000

 

[stephen12091985]

i have 20's with 14/40 and i like it alot

 

[skoobyj]

I started out with 13/40 on 22's it was fine. Then I switched to 18" with a 14 front and it had tons of low end. Switched to 20's and there's a big difference. I'll end up putting the 13 sprocket back on when the snows gone.