Single Speed Gearing

goonz

Right so went and picked up a Specialized Langster this morning which I will be modifying here and there and making my own.

First time I have used a single speed so will definitely take some getting used to. Not too sure of what the gearing is currently on the bike but what sort of gearing would I want to have on it? I dont want a very easy gear, I have quite a high cadence so probably need something with a bit of resistance.

What sort of ratio should I go for?

Also any wheels that are being sold on this forum, are they compatible with SS and how do I tell? Seen some Mavics, would they work?

As you can tell I sort of have no idea about any of this at all! :oops:

jakemiller

I ride with a 45x15 its not too hard to push infact its relatively easy i can get up most hills even if my cadence does drop to 0.2 and its easy enough to stop when clipped in

iPete

Count the number of cogs on the front and back then ride it for a bit and see how it feels.

I ride 46x16 fixed the moment, about 75 GI, about 21mph at 90RPM

Wheels, you'll need track specific, the rear has different hubs. You'll probably have a hub that take a freewheel on one side and fixed cog on the other. They don't have skewers either.

goonz

I will be counting the cogs tomorrow so I get an idea of what I am dealing with.

Sprool

doesnt the langster come with wheels?

goonz

Sprool wrote:

doesnt the langster come with wheels?

Yes but I want to upgrade/change them.

Monty Dog

Single speed / fixed gear / track hubs generally come with a narrower hub than regular road wheels - if you measure the distance across the inside of your frame rear drop outs. Track hubs are 120mm whereas regular road wheels are 130mm. There are a few ready-made wheel sets available (e.g. Halo Aerowarrior). Choice of gearing really depends on the type of riding you're doing and the need to go up and down hills - I run 46x17 which means I can get up pretty well anything and can still get to 60-70kph on downhills, but it does get a bit blurry over 170rpm.

Hawmaw

I run 44 x 17 on my old 60s Claud Butler . It's used for a fairly flat 4 mile commute and works a treat although top speed is restricted a bit.

goonz

Right so after a quick count its set up with a 48x18. No idea what this means hoping someone can enlighten me? Good for hills or speed on flats?

So when freewheeling forwards the cranks turn but if I push the bike backwards the cranks do not turn. Is it set up as a fixie, but with 2 brakes?

themekon

No it is set up as a single freewheel. 48x18 is about 71" so should be fine for pretty well anything.

4AssedMonkey

I've done a load of single speeding both on and off road. I find the best ratio will depend on where you are likely to ride it. I currently use my road SS for the odd commute and short/hard blasts from home as & when I can fit them in.

Where I live is very hilly and as such I run 40:16 (2.5 to 1). I find in this gear I can get up just about anything but the compromise is that top end ain't great on the flat. Your current 48:18 is similar (2.66 to 1) so is likely to be OK for the hills but leave you spinning out from time to time. If I lived somewhere a bit flatter, I'd probably want 48:16 (3 to 1). Not sure I'd ever go much harder than that.