36T vs 45T Star Ratchet: What the Difference Means on 10PLUS Wheels
More teeth mean quicker engagement, not more power. So when is the 10PLUS 45T upgrade actually worth paying for?
What a star ratchet does
A star-ratchet hub uses two toothed rings that lock together to drive the wheel and slide apart when you coast. It's a well-proven hub design, and 10PLUS uses it across both the T and E ranges.
The number on the ratchet is simply the tooth count. It says nothing about how fast the wheel is in a straight line.
36T: the sensible standard
The 10PLUS T Series uses a 36T ratchet, which works out at about 10 degrees of engagement. For road, endurance and most gravel riding, that's already perfectly good.
If most of your riding is steady-state, switching to 45T won't transform your performance.
45T: quicker pickup
The E Series steps up to 45T, cutting the engagement angle to about 8 degrees. In practice, the cranks move less before the hub picks up drive.
You may notice that when you're accelerating repeatedly, sprinting out of tight corners or riding technical terrain. It doesn't create watts, and it won't make the bike any faster at cruising speed.
The trade-off
45T only comes as part of the E Series package, alongside ceramic bearings and a lighter build. So you're not paying a small surcharge for nine extra teeth — you're buying the whole upgrade.
For a racer, that package can make sense. For an endurance rider, the T Series is often the smarter spend.
Our 10PLUS pick
T Series (36T) for value. E Series (45T) when quicker engagement, lower weight and ceramic bearings are all things you actually want.
Just don't let “45T” on its own talk you into the more expensive wheelset.