When I raced in the mid-sixties, "sprocket" (maybe "rear sprocket") was, at least, the single gear mounted on the rear wheel. Hard for me to get used to the word "cog." Not sure what we called the chainwheel, but I think it might have been the "front sprocket," versus the "rear sprocket."
Pete Rutledge
Woodbridge, VA, USA
Does anyone use the word sprocket anymore?
Sounds pretty elementary, but if a cog on a freewheel or a cog that helps make up a cassette is not referred to as a sprocket then what is/was a sprocket?
Chainrings (or chainwheels) seem too big to be referred to as sprockets. Whenever I am in the presence of someone who is absolutely clueless about bicycles is when I am most likely to hear the word "sprocket" in conversation.
What is a sprocket to you?
Ted E. Baer
Palo Alto, CA