Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Century on a fixed gear...

I know there are probably other threads about this, but I couldn't really find what I was looking for...I am planning on doing a century on my track bike... With rolling hills, what would be a good gear ratio? I will be riding with a brake...
Thanks

I'd suggest a 71 - 74" gear. Hope this helps.

Dr. Bill

I've done them running 69 inches but also had 78 inches on the flip side and used that after all of the long climbs were out of the way...:)

Ok thanks, this helps. I think I will go with 75, but I guess I could take some extra cogs if that doesn't feel good.

I run about 70" but how do I know how strong you are or how nasty your hills are?

I run a 70-- 48x18 -- I have been able to get up some pretty long and steep hills-- the only down side is the downhills-- I use the brake to control the speed on the downhills-

Riding a century on a fixie is a blast!

train safe

.....but I guess I could take some extra cogs if that doesn't feel good.

I assume you won't be using a lockring if you'll be swapping cogs on the road. The axle nut wrench is all you need. Of course, running a flip flop hub is more practical and faster.

I would consider the last part of the ride the most important and
under gear. I think at mile 75 you will be glad you are rolling 71 inches
instead of 74 or higher.
Good luck !! Great undertaking :D

I would consider the last part of the ride the most important and
under gear. I think at mile 75 you will be glad you are rolling 71 inches
instead of 74 or higher.That would all depend on the ride profile....:)

i've ridden 3 fixed centuries, and 1 metric, of varying terrain. one thing i can say is that do a few practice runs of about 30 miles or so with in any ratio you're thinking about using. i'm 23, very fit, and have healthy knees but BOY does that 1 tooth up or down change things around mile 85-90. my knees felt like a trainwreck after moving from a 15 rear to a 14 rear for the same century ride, 3 months apart from each other.

for the flats, i like a 74.

I did 125 miles in rolling hills on 70.6, and a few metrics with this ratio as well. It felt pretty good but once the headwind got blowing I may have been comfortable with even less. So personally I would say around 70, depending on the hills, the wind, what you have to carry, and your legs. :)

i've gone 70 miles on 47/17 whatever that is. pretty rolling terrain west of boston.:)