One for the SS/Fixie riders, gear inches.

Jon8a

Currently using 71.5" (44/16*26).

I find this a decent compromise between able to get going at lights and junctions and not spinning out all the time or struggling into a headwind.

So what do you all use?

Let the willy waving commence.

Greg T

I've got 48 up front and

16 Freewheel (81 GI)

18 Fixed (72 GI)


I've only just gone fixed so started off easy. I have to say I'm enjoying the lighter / more responsive feel of the lighter gearing - however the cruising speed is - let's say not fast - 100 RPM will only buy 20 mph / 33 kph or so. The 16's 23.5 / 37.7

LITs will be on soon bigging up her mad stiff gearing......

graeme_s-2

I ride a 70" gear (48/18 on a 25-700C tyre).

As with you, I think it's a good compromise. Every now and again I'm tempted to put a bigger gear on it, but I've resisted so far.

spacey99

48/18, but I have considered 48/16. Not sure I could get up hills with the higher gears though. Might try at some point.

Colzer1

i ride a 34/16 on a 26" Wheel with 1.5 Specialized Nimbus tyres.

I find it a pretty good alround combination for commutting allthough sometimes i wish i had a high gear, but then that defeats the whole point of riding single speed

camvaile

I push 48/16.

It's about right into the dirty head wind all the way home, but a bit limiting in top speed stakes otherwise. I'm thinking of going down to a 14T freewheel, have to see what I can find.

2wheelzgood

heh great lets how off gear sizes and get a good one in before Lits arrives!

My Dawes hybrid conversion ss has a 42.14 on 700x28 = 80.3
It had 16t (70.2) to begin with but after 4-5 months stepped up (right word) to 14t.

My new Bianchi Pista is running stock 48.16 on 700x23 = 78.8
I have ordered a 17t (74.2) rear to build up confidence and power in slowing down the fixed gear. It also gives me 17 skid patches cf 1.. eek
Finding it a bit punishing on the old leg trying to skip or skid on an 80inch. even slowing.

GT are you running a HUGE wheel or something cos Rabbit reckons you're rounding up your GI's. :roll:
I'm not trying to accuse you of talking up your manhood (well maybe) as you could well be using another calculator which is slightly out.
http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/ ... pplet.html


ps camvaile, is that a gear to use in London? I have yet to find the road that is flat for long enough to spin out the 48.16 here.
I can do spurts up tto 35 slightly downhill on the ss but maintaining top revs on the fixie is hard so I haven't pushed it yet.

Greg T

2wheelzgood wrote:

GT are you running a HUGE wheel or something cos Rabbit reckons you're rounding up your GI's. :roll:
I'm not trying to accuse you of talking up your manhood (well maybe) as you could well be using another calculator which is slightly out.
http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/ ... pplet.html

I'm obviously getting Sheldon's calculator wrong......

I'm not dead good at maths me.

2wheelzgood

I think they may vary slightly.. not sure why. small things may affect it. Crank length should only affect the "gain ratio" i believe but I have 165 on the fixed and 175 on the ss.. my legs have been wanting to do smaller circles on th ss recently after riding the new bike.. very odd feeling!

ride_whenever

I'm currently getting my fitness back and building up, it's currently at 69GI, wahey!

59.4 on my jump bike

and I'll be running a smidge under 52 on my xc bike

Littigator

You're all pansies going soft on a Friday afternoon...

I've got the biggest ring and boy does it take a big stiff tug to get it going smoothly

52.17 on 700x28s giving a meaty 81.9

Oooh yeah!

Mind you I am a softie southerner who canters round London which is generally flatter than a kiddies paddling pool at the end of summer

lost_in_thought

I feel a little inadequate now I've slipped out o fthe 90s... I might get a 13t freewheel on the other side of my flip-flop hub and see how I go with 95.5!

Or NOT! :-D

Nah, I'm on 88.9, according to Pearson's, which I haven't tried yet, my old 92 made it hard work accelerating from a stop uphill, but allowed for blistering top speed and never let me run out of push.

Wouldn't advise it anywhere hillier than London though.

lost_in_thought

Greg T wrote:

LITs will be on soon bigging up her mad stiff gearing......

Feeling that your inches are inadequate?

snicker snicker...

pst88

Well I'm on 46x17 giving me a paltry 71.1". It's ok round here. Would like a bit more on the flats but there are a few hills that I think would become a struggle getting up. I can push 25mph on the flat (120 rpm) and 31mph downhill (~140 rpm). That's about as fast a my legs can go.

karl j

48 / 20 for me, which works out about 67" if (?) my maths is correct and that is absolutely fine for pootling in flatland east Norfolk

elevensees

44x14 on my 29er (GF Rig) with 700c x 44 cx tyres = 88" I think and
52x18 on my kona smoke with 26 x 2.35 big apples = 77" with guards and rack for totting my weekly washing home!

il_principe

48/16 until Tuesday when it'll become 50/16 on 700/23

robbarker

46/18 here but it's darned hilly...