Single speed cross race gearing

[dws5b]

I am building a single speed cross bike to race. Flat courses with tight corners. I am cat 3 roadie that is more spinner than masher. I have a 39 front but can go to a 42. I am thinking 39-17 but am looking for advice on where to start but of course until the snow melts I cannot start experimenting. Thanks

[bitterken]

Most people start with a 2:1 and adjust from there. I think a 42-17 would be way too steep.

Good luck!

[dws5b]

Thanks that helps. I think I will get a 15,17, & 19 to go with my 39 front.

[Leadpedal]

42:20

[~stella]

Thanks that helps. I think I will get a 15,17, & 19 to go with my 39 front.

If you like spinning I would go straight for the 39-19.

[DDYTDY]

I run 40/20 on my fixed cross bike.

[rsdmag]

42/20 here too, unless the course is really hilly or muddy, then its 38/20

[greenwithwheels]

i was thinking the same thing about 2:1. i'm thinking about switching gearing as well. i have a white ind double double and its 35:19 and 38:16. lower is 1.875:1 and upper is 2.375:1. the lower is great for mountain biking but sometimes it does seem a tad slow and obviously upper for road(its my high end do all bike). i'm just going to do a few races on the new steed and see how i do. i really wouldn't be surprised if i want to switch to 2:1 for just cross racing.

[Lithuania]

i race in the mabra district last year with a 42x18 and 42x17. I am more of a masher and I rarely felt this gearing was too big.

[climbhoser]

Lithuania, your legs must be made of steel!

I ride 42x17 on my hilly-land commuter and I'm about 19-20mph at 90rpms. If I get much lower in RPMs my knees start screaming!

On 'cross I like a 38x19, but I think 40x20 would work, too.

[Lithuania]

ha i dont think so. Its probably just a lot flatter out here. Once may cadence gets above like 110 my legs start to burn off.

When I am doing fixed gear training I use a 39x16

[dirtyphotons]

yeah, i've been running 42 20 as well and did several races with lithuania. on the same courses i never felt like i spun out, although for some steep downhills i would just coast. i do feel like i'm more of a spinner, if i'm anything.

i think we split the season, or he won the series by a race or two.

[Lithuania]

whatever man i DOMINATED :D

we could check crossresults.com if we really care

[dirtyphotons]

psh, i think they got my results right for a grand total of one race.

and yeah, when you were on your game i was way behind. i think the winner was usually decided based on severity of hangover.

[Lithuania]

dang i dont even drink

are you racing 3 or 4 next year?

[dirtyphotons]

still haven't decided. i'm not sure if there are going to be any restrictions on 3's on the c race or 4's in the b race, so i'll decide when i figure that out.

i think even with a season under my belt, and a bunch of hypothetical training that i'll be doing when the weather gets nicer i'd still be fighting to crack the top ten in c races. even with my fancy new gears.

[xccx]

race 39:17. love it!