A rear sprocket assembly has a plurality of sprockets with the smallest sprocket being a top or first sprocket. At least one of the teeth is a down shift tooth that has a recessed side surface to assist in shifting the chain to the next larger sprocket. Preferably, all of the teeth of the top sprocket are identical. The sprocket body of the top sprocket is threaded to be coupled to a freewheel or hub. A second sprocket is located adjacent the top sprocket and preferably cooperates with the top sprocket during a down shift from the top sprocket to the second sprocket. The second sprocket cooperates with a third sprocket during a down shift from the second sprocket to the third sprocket.