Single gear advice please

avsmithy

Hi there
im converting a hybrid to a single speed and wonder if a 36/16 gear ratio would be ok for mainly flat riding with some smallish hills, or should i go for 36/14? Im pretty strong and 6ft 2" btw.
If you think 36/14 is best can i run a 1/8" chain on a 1/8" rear gear and a 3/32" chainring? (the guy im buying the chainring from "sees no problem with it"! :roll: )

Anyway thanks in advanced!

markos1963

Seems a little short on the gearing, most people run a 42/16 or 18 if there are a few hills.

dal105

It also depends on wheel size......the 42/16 supplied as stock on new SS bikes (Langster, Flyer etc) is in combination with 700c road wheels. If your hybrid has smaller 26inch MTB style wheels then this actually makes it a slightly "easier" gear.

I find 42/16 on my Langster, with 700x23 tyres fine for my commute which has both hilly and flat sections.

If you want to compare ratios, you can use Sheldon's gear calculator:

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

So, if you're pretty strong, I think 36/16 would be too low a gear for you, especially if you have 26in wheels. 36/14 isn't too different to 42/16, but doesn't leave you as many options for increasing the gearing later as you won't be able to get a much smaller sprocket/freewheel than a 14.

I'd consider 42/15 for MTB wheels or 42/16 for 700c road wheels as a starter. If you then find this too easy you can always change the sprocket/freewheel.

Infamous

It all depends on you, try gears out on a geared bike and find one that works. 36/16 is tiny.

I ride "mainly flat with some smallish hills" and i'm also 6'2 and pretty strong, I use 54/14. I doubt you will want anywhere near that, but you want at least 42 on the front, 46 or 48 is also common. 46 or 48 with 16 to 20 on the back is the usual range.

You can run 1/8 chain on 3/32.