Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - new chainring or new cog for Redline Monocog 29er.

Okay, to save people's head from aching... I am currently running 36/20 on my Redline Monocog 29er. I need a higher gear inch/ratio for my commute of 8KM each way. What is the best combination of chain rings and cogs to obtain about 65-70 Gear Inches(Which I read is the most general G.I). I want to spend as little as possible.

Thanks.

I dont see why you would need spacers.

Same gear ratio will give you the same feel. The only difference will be in chain length as you will need more chain to go to a bigger chainring, while you would need less to go to the smaller cog. More chain is usually a good thing as it spreads out the wear on the chain, although chainwear is not as big of an issue on a SS/FG with proper chain line as you do not load the chain perpendicular to the plane of the frame, which is what really wears chains.

I dont see why you would need spacers.

Same gear ratio will give you the same feel. The only difference will be in chain length as you will need more chain to go to a bigger chainring, while you would need less to go to the smaller cog. More chain is usually a good thing as it spreads out the wear on the chain, although chainwear is not as big of an issue on a SS/FG with proper chain line as you do not load the chain perpendicular to the plane of the frame, which is what really wears chains.

Oh true. My only concern is the price. I want to make my SS as efficient as it can be with the spending of little as possible.

It's hard to add a larger chainring to that bike without hitting the chainstay. I'd get a smaller freewheel.

Alright, will get a smaller cog. does it matter if the cog is track or SS ? I found a local seller that is selling them $18 a piece.. surly cogs. but the 14t is a track cog and i need it for my ss bike.

You can't just get a cog, you have to replace the entire freewheel.

Why can't i just switch the cog? I want to make this as cheap as possible.

ben, is this a trick question?

or a tarck question

LOL, definitely not a tarck/trick question... Why would I have to get a entire wheelset and not just a new cog... maybe I can. I am out of it. Going to sleep. Hopefully there will be an answer tomorrow morning :)

assuming you are going to keep it single speed you do not need a new wheel, just a cog. do not get a track cog get a single speed cassette cog. there are plenty of options but i found the cheapo steel ones fit best on the monocog cassette.

ahhhh so that's why he said I needed a new wheel set if I gotten the track cog. Will go down to the LBS and pick up a 14t cog

you won't find a freewheel cog that small (14t) -- mainly it's 16t, though there is one company that makes a 15t freewheel.

I have a freewheel cassette hub, so is it possible to use a 14t BMX cog? or If worse comes to worse, I may just pick up a 46t 104bcd chain ring and get it over with...

ben, you are hurting my brain. I would get the adjustable chain ring. You can add or subtract teeth as you like.

arg! okay, I want around ~65-70 Gear Inches for commute 8KM each way on a 29er. I am running 36/20 right now with a rear freewheel cassette hub. What is the best combination to obtain such G.I for the lowest price possible?

Get one of these shimano BMX cassette cogs. (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CS307C00-Shimano+Mx66+Bmx+Single+Cassette+Cogs.aspx) $6.

A 15 tooth will give you 69.5 gear inches.
A 16 tooth will give you 65.1 gear inches.

With a 29x2.0 tire. If you have smaller tires, those numbers go down slightly.

Commuting on a 29'er? Um..................... whatever floats your boat. Bigger chainring is my vote. You won't f*ck up the threads on your hub changing cogs.