Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Need help- Anyone run a 50t ring up front?

...if so, what size do you roll on the rear- 18? 16? still learning the ropes, and my new rig comes built with a 50t sugino chainring, with no rear cog. i live in Hawaii, so steep SF-esque hills are nonexistent. i plan to do a lot of distance rides (well, i AM on an island, so its not the type of distance im sure most of you are used to) . i need so advice on whether to keep the 50t, and if so, what size cog to run. if i should indeed switch my front ring out, what size would you recommend for flatland rides? thanks guys.

50/18 should be a good gear to try first and then go from there.

I used to go between 50x18 and 50x16. The 18 for general riding and to work on spin. The 16 for racing where its fairly flat. I like to use 17 for racing in not so flat areas.
I have recently moved down to a 49t ring so it sort of throws everything out of whack. Although 49t may be a good idea to start with b/c you get more mutually prime gear combinations (more skid patches).

...if so, what size do you roll on the rear- 18? 16? still learning the ropes, and my new rig comes built with a 50t sugino chainring, with no rear cog. i live in Hawaii, so steep SF-esque hills are nonexistent. i plan to do a lot of distance rides (well, i AM on an island, so its not the type of distance im sure most of you are used to) . i need so advice on whether to keep the 50t, and if so, what size cog to run. if i should indeed switch my front ring out, what size would you recommend for flatland rides? thanks guys.

I have started with 50/18 for a hilly commute, city/winter bike is 48/18 as I need more acceleration in the city.

I run a 53/17 down here where there are no hills. Kinda slow to get started, but once you get up to speed, its easy to stay on top of. Tough to skid, tho'.

52/17 is pretty nice for now...

I run 52x18, so 50x18 would prolly be fine for ya.

I rode a 52/17 for a long time in Madison which has only a few small hills. 50/18 would be a pretty nice all around gear.

thanks for the info, folks. guess i'll keep the 50 and pair it with an 18. next question, Bacchusbill (http://bikeforums.net/member.php?u=57759) says its tough to skid with a 53/17, would this be true for 50/18 as well?

52/17 is pretty nice for now...

you monster!!!

I'm an idiot..I thought I had a 52t upfront..after taking some photos of my bike today I realized it's actually a 53 not a 52...guess I'm running 79.5 inches

50-18 shouldn't be too bad Transfixed. It's about a 73 inch gear assuming 700*23 tires. Anything from 65-75 inches is pretty good for skidding and fooling around, and the high end of that scale ought to be quite adequate for flat road rides around HI unless you are a speed beast. 53-17 is about 82 inches, that's a substantially bigger gear.

You can figure out gear inches yourself using Rabbit at http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html .

i run 19 in the back. Lots of skid patches, gets me up all of the hills around here, except 1, and I don't spin out too bad coming down. I think its like 71 gi? 18 should be fine if you are hill-less.

I ran 52X18 on my conversion and I liked it alot. It was a bit like getting a train going at first, but after I got my leg muscles built up, it was no problem. The top end was beautiful. I liked passing cars on the road at the speed limit and catching the startled looks of passengers as they saw me go past.

Now I've got a Paddywagon thats at 42X16, going down to 42X15 this week probably, which will get me close to the same ratio(@75GI) to get that huge top end again.

I love going fast on a fix.

You guys run 50/17 for spin? Jesus, I used to run like 41/17 for spin on my road training bike.

50 20 on my pog... its nice

50 x 16, but i'm cranking 180 mm cranks, once yer going, your going.....

i must be a wimp. I am running 48X19 on my new commuter.

yer fine, i got a loooooong flat section (about 100km or more) that i ride on once in awhile, nice to have the 50x16 and just FLY along the flats. In the city we got hills, i runn smaller gears to suit, depending on where i'm going that day.

Just curious, where in HI?
I spent some time in Kaneohe Bay. Aside from Kailua, you weren't getting anywhere without some mountains...

Just curious, where in HI?
I spent some time in Kaneohe Bay. Aside from Kailua, you weren't getting anywhere without some mountains...

yea, the windward side (kailua/kaneohe) is flanked by the ko'olau mtn range to one side, and the pacific ocean on the other. you were pretty much trapped in. I live smack in the middle of the island (wahiawa / mililani) which is also known as the "central high plains" so things are flat as can be, for the most part. I also plan to ride in the city (honolulu / downtown) which is also pretty flat.
I really need to learn the gear math that you all know so well. I still have no clue of what kind of difference I'd be feeling between a 16t and an 18t :(

thanks for info/insight.

I really need to learn the gear math that you all know so well. I still have no clue of what kind of difference I'd be feeling between a 16t and an 18t :(

thanks for info/insight.

With a 52 in front the difference between an 18 th and 16th cog will be significant. Go 18 first, and when your legs become massive(and they will) move to the 16, if you can hack it.

I'm doing 50t front, does the above info still apply?

My bike has a stock 48x16, and I just ordered a 18t cog. Do you guys think I would need to make the chain longer? If so, where can I buy extensions? I dont want to buy a new chain if I dont have to, cause the bike is only a week old....

I've always run 52x18 and i don't plan on changing it anytime soon. I think thats about 75'. It was basically my only option at the time but as soon as i started with it i fell in love. Never had any real trouble starting or stopping(skidding is actually beautifully fluid with it) and once you get going, you get going.

You guys run 50/17 for spin? Jesus, I used to run like 41/17 for spin on my road training bike.

They *think* they do. They run 50/17 for mash.

I've always run 52x18 and i don't plan on changing it anytime soon. I think thats about 75'. It was basically my only option at the time but as soon as i started with it i fell in love. Never had any real trouble starting or stopping(skidding is actually beautifully fluid with it) and once you get going, you get going.

sorry if i keep pushing this question, but what kind of difference in terms of acceleration, minor incline climbing, and top speed would one see between 50/16 and 50/18? Anyone?

sorry if i keep pushing this question, but what kind of difference in terms of acceleration, minor incline climbing, and top speed would one see between 50/16 and 50/18? Anyone?

Use this thingie. It will it answer all your questions.http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

They *think* they do. They run 50/17 for mash.

i can spin my 50T just fine. Dont assume.

52-19.

I recently encountered some hills ( rare in FL) which made it interesting. 73.4 GI, I think. otherwise, a moderately good all-around gear.

i'm 50/16 right now, its fine but probably not a good starting ratio. In the future im looking fo ra 46 chainring... anybody got a sugino 75 46t layin round?

^ i might, i'll have to check the crates i my storage locker. give me a few days.

I run a 53 by 21. It rawks.

My Cervelo is geared 50/15, and it is awesome for flats/mostly flat areas. Hills would def make me think twice, but all in all it's pretty good impo.

sorry if i keep pushing this question, but what kind of difference in terms of acceleration, minor incline climbing, and top speed would one see between 50/16 and 50/18? Anyone?
It really depends on you, but most folks find that 70-75 gear inches is a nice happy medium. 50-18 should be right in that range. More gear inches (smaller cog) means slower accleration, harder climbs, and better top speed. Lower gear inches (bigger cog) means faster pick-up, easier to climb, and lower top speed. Also easier on your knees.