Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Typical (or recommended) chainring & sprocket size for Single Speed (not fixie)

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Bob Ross
12-18-06, 03:23 PM
Been kicking around the idea of getting a single-speed (not a fixie) for my commuting bike, just wondering what the typical # of teeth on the chainring & sprocket are for these bikes?

pyze-guy
12-18-06, 04:04 PM
Been kicking around the idea of getting a single-speed (not a fixie) for my commuting bike, just wondering what the typical # of teeth on the chainring & sprocket are for these bikes?

There is no typical. Is it a road bike, mtb, bmx, commuter, weekend rides, hills, flat roads etc. That aside my mtb was 42/14. Could go fast and get up hills.
noisebeam
12-18-06, 04:27 PM
If you want a ratio that works for a typical rider on typical terrain, build a multispeed.
If you want a ratio that works for you and your commute route, then only you can decide based on what works for you.

Al

BostonFixed
12-18-06, 04:32 PM
42x16 or 17 is an excellent place to start with 700c wheels.
godless scum
12-18-06, 04:34 PM
for the front chainring, try search. for the rear cog, try... the forums?
pinkrobe
12-18-06, 04:45 PM
42x16 for teh win, although I could honestly use a 43 or 44 these days...
wildbird
12-18-06, 04:55 PM
It really depends on your condition and the terrain you ride in. If you have a geared bike, you can try a few combinations. Also, what speed do you expect to ride at and at what cadence? I started out with 40/16 on 700c wheels in a rather flat area with few hills using a light bike with few accessories (no fenders etc). Soon got tired of spinning out, and now riding 44/16 which for me in this terrain is great - most rides I average 18mph, and can ride as fast a 25 or 26 b4 spinning out.
barba
12-18-06, 04:58 PM
Ride around on your multi-speed bike and get a feel for what gear works on your commute. Use that one on your single speed.
lz4005
12-18-06, 05:19 PM
What they said. Find a gear on a multi-speed you can stay in for a month without shifting and then work out something equal for the single.
Rugen
12-18-06, 06:54 PM
The multigear advice sounds good to me. My SS is at 52x17, matching what I was riding my geared bike at before I went SS.
sivat
12-18-06, 07:44 PM
You'll also need to consider what cranks you'll be using. If you're using a road crank with 130bcd, you can find just about any sized chainring from 34t to 53t. Just make sure that the chainring will clear the chainstays (Commuter-style frames are often designed for a triple crank and anything bigger than about 42t won't clear the chainstay if you are trying to get a 42mm chainline). Also keep in mind that standard freewheels aren't available below 16t.