Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 40x16 and need more gear?

I know I'm showing my ignorance here but here goes.....I currently am running 40x16 on an old schwinn build up. I feel like on the smallest downhill my rpms are through the roof and its relatively easy to commute around. Should I change the chain ring or the cog? Is there a difference in cost etc.? If I change one or the other do I need to get a new chain?

you can get a smaller cog (cheaper) and you'd then have to remove links from the chain (no cost). try a 13 tooth or somethin?

if you change the chainring it'll be a bit more expensive. and you'll need more links for your chain. where as with a simple cog change... about one or two teeth smaller... you'll do the same but spend less as you can change your chain tension in the dropouts.

+1 swap your cogg

BostonFixed, do you have amnesia or something?

I'm not BostonFixed and no i don't have amnesia.Why?

it's just that there is a user named BostonFixed. No big deal. Welcome!

take a look at this chart: http://www.i1.net/~dwolfe/gerz/


It will help you to find what gearing you want to go with ...

I am running a very similar gear to you (40x15) and I like it alot.

I originally had 52x14, then I tried 40x14, and then finally 40x15 and that was the one !

be warned, each tooth in the cog is like equal to 3 teeth in the front ... so changing by only 1 tooth at a time is my suggestion.

!!!

Thanks for the info.
I'm going to try and go with a 14 cog

for some people the 16 cog is too low, for some is too high.

Cogs are cheap, good desicion

agree with all above, the cog is the cheaper route. You can find cheap 3/32 and 1/8 chainrings (closeouts/bmx) but you'll have to add links or get a new chain. If your drivetrain is pretty new or doesn't show too much wear, you should be able to get by with just a cog change. If things are pretty worn, then you may have to buy new chain,ring and cog. I personally like running more teeth in my cog and a bigger ring just so I can have more teeth on my chain, but you may be requiring the added clearance of the 40/15 or 13 setup. I currently run a 48/18 in flat old Houston. The gearing's served me well for commuting and on metric centuries with our meager hills outside of town. If you're running fixed/brakeless you may want an odd numbered cog to get more skip/skid patches on the tire. just my two pence.

good luck to you.