Commuting - Do you gear down in the winter?

I am setting up my SS bike for winter duty and am going to be buying a new cog for the rear. I normally ride a 45/16 (69 gear inches) on my SS road bike and *was* going to put the equivilant gear on my SS MTB 36/13 (68 gear inches).

I normally cruise at 19-21 on my road bike but have not ridden in rain before (I was a devout fair weather rider)..... so don't know if people's speeds are that much decreased in the wet or the cold. I am an aggresive rider and like to get to and from work in as little time as possible (which = more time with my family)

I don't live where it snows, and the lowest it gets around here is 32deg.

I am considering getting an easier gear 36/14 (63 gear inches, down from my normal 69 GI). What would you suggest?

At $42 per cog, I don't wish to do much experimenting.... so any help you can provide will be much appreciated.:o

The fixed gear forum may be more helpful than here to answer your question

If it doesn't snow, you probably won't gear down in winter. Except that cold air is denser than warm air, so it takes more effort to push body and bike through the air. But I don't think that's much of a consideration at the temperatures you're dealing with, which actually aren't cold at all.

Now that I think of it, why do you even call it winter? ;)

I am setting up my SS bike for winter duty and am going to be buying a new cog for the rear. I normally ride a 45/16 (69 gear inches) on my SS road bike and *was* going to put the equivilant gear on my SS MTB 36/13 (68 gear inches).

I normally cruise at 19-21 on my road bike but have not ridden in rain before (I was a devout fair weather rider)..... so don't know if people's speeds are that much decreased in the wet or the cold. I am an aggresive rider and like to get to and from work in as little time as possible (which = more time with my family)

I don't live where it snows, and the lowest it gets around here is 32deg.

I am considering getting an easier gear 36/14 (63 gear inches, down from my normal 69 GI). What would you suggest?

At $42 per cog, I don't wish to do much experimenting.... so any help you can provide will be much appreciated.:o

Hopefully somebody who rides an SS will put their two cents in but I'll tell you what I've experienced. Rain doesn't make much difference. In fact sometimes I think I roll a little easier in the rain. In any case, it effects you less than a moderate headwind would.

Cold will make a difference but I'm not sure how much at the temps your talking about. I used my old road bike until December 1st last year before switching to the MTB after our first snow storm. In that time, I'm sure I rode in temps well under 32. I tended to cruise at the same speed as you on that bike but I may have slowed down to 17-19 at colder temps. I don't exactly remember.

If your MTB is a lot heavier with wider tires, that's also going to impact you, maybe more than the weather depending on the kinds of hills you have to deal with.

I don't think you should need to modify your gear inches for rain. What you should take seriously is your bike handling skills in wet weather, as you've stated you haven't ridden in rain before. Braking and cornering need to be done conscientiously, as loss of traction in the front tire will almost certainly bring you to the pavement very quickly.

My commuter/errand bike is 48/18 in the summer and 48/20 in the winter, fixed. Ice and snow is only a consideration a handful of days out of the year for me and rain is rain. I gear down because the wind tends to pick up in the winter. It also seems to help keep me warmer when I'm spinning faster, but that's just as likely a psychological effect.

All in all, I don't really think it's necessary unless you're going to be slogging through snow. Keep your current setup and save a bit of money.

$42 a cog? Buy em online, like $18

http://www.treefortbikes.com/121_333222337784__Dura-Ace-Track-Cog-3-32.html
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CS408D00-Shimano+Dura-Ace+Track+Cog.aspx?sc=FRGL
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=354

I have a 13t cog laying around you can have for $10 + shipping.


Edit: Just realized this is for a SS, but still, you can get freewheels for $20 or so.

I tend to ride slower in the rain because of reduced visibility, traction, and braking power. But it's not really harder work, and there's no need to gear down.

I do tend to gear down in the winter. When it's cold my muscles and joints get a bit stiff, plus I'm bundled up in warm clothes, so it's a more work to pedal. And I like to take it easy in the cold air, so it makes sense to gear down to cruise comfortably at a somewhat lower speed.

With temps in the thirties, it might not be a big deal. But if you're used to warm weather you might still feel cold and want to take it easier.

I am an aggresive rider and like to get to and from work in as little time as possible (which = more time with my family)

This is the part that worries me more than any other. If you pride yourself on being an aggressive rider, rethink. If you're foolishly overaggressive in the rain, you may be spending time in the hospital rather than with your family.

That said, a little rain need not be a problem for the patient. Your commute times will be, or should be, a little slower.

I don't see any compelling reason to change unless there is a severe and persistent increase in wind during the winter. Temp shouldn't be an issue in your neck of the woods and, outside of riding more cautiously when it is wet as others have noted, the rain won't require any increased effort from you.

I've been commuting for the first time this year on a singlespeed and in the last week have experienced my first two days of commuting in heavy rain. It occurred to me almost immediately that a slightly lower gear for rain would be a good thing. Only because I need to go more slowly in the rain but would like to keep the same fairly vigorous cadence my 42x16 regular gear allows. In my case we don't have a reliable rainy season - winter means snow, and singlespeed riders here advise not to gear down just for that, because snow can increase traction and a lower gear can slow you too severely. But if I were in a climate where it rained much of the winter I'd definitely have a lower gear.

When I say I am an aggresive rider, I don't necessarily mean I am a nut job. I do ride in traffic when downtown and keep up a 28-30 mph pace when riding in traffic. I don't run reds, I don't split lanes (generally). I am not sure I pride myself on being agressive, but I wanted to give people insight into my riding style.

I have ridden in the rain before, but not for commuting. But from people's responses, it sounds like it may be a 50/50 split. Keep the same ratio or perhaps go a little easier...... thanks to all people who have responded so far.... :-)

$42 a cog? Buy em online, like $18

http://www.treefortbikes.com/121_333222337784__Dura-Ace-Track-Cog-3-32.html
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CS408D00-Shimano+Dura-Ace+Track+Cog.aspx?sc=FRGL
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=354

I have a 13t cog laying around you can have for $10 + shipping.


Edit: Just realized this is for a SS, but still, you can get freewheels for $20 or so.

Those are some good prices for FG cogs, and on my SS road bike I use a White Industries DOS ENO,.... but for my SS MTB, I use these.... which for some reason cost a ton more than they should:
http://www.chrisking.com/parts/cogs.html
http://www.chrisking.com/parts/cogs/250/12T_SS.jpg

Try it out and see...keep it the same until something makes it harder, like wind or slipper roads or stiff muscles.

I ride a bit slower and take it more easy, but then again we have bitter cold, ice and snow to deal with. I bring hot tea and enjoy the season. I ride 42x15 in the winter, and gears in the summer.

When I say I am an aggresive rider, I don't necessarily mean I am a nut job. I do ride in traffic when downtown and keep up a 28-30 mph pace when riding in traffic.


I would think 28-30 mph in traffic in the rain to be unreasonably fast.

But then, I ride a hybrid. :D

Those are some good prices for FG cogs, and on my SS road bike I use a White Industries DOS ENO,.... but for my SS MTB, I use these.... which for some reason cost a ton more than they should:
http://www.chrisking.com/parts/cogs.html
http://www.chrisking.com/parts/cogs/250/12T_SS.jpg

Oh okay, you're not running a track hub.

Throw in Chris King's name, and you get a $42 price tag. Makes sense.

I would think 28-30 mph in traffic in the rain to be unreasonably fast.

But then, I ride a hybrid. :D

Possible when riding right along with trucks and such. Not easily either...

No reason to slow down because of the rain,just like driving a car.

No reason to slow down because of the rain,just like driving a car.

I'm really hoping that's a very dry sarcasm there.

I ran 42X16 last winter with no issues. That is the same gear I run in summer.
However, I have a mountain bike that I use when it snows.

I don't ride in the rain in the winter, and last year that wasn't much of a problem - I still got 2-3 days of bike commuting per week in all winter long. I find I'm about 1-2 mph slower in the winter due to wearing more clothes (I wear jeans to commute in the winter, chamios and shorts in the summer) but that's the only difference.

$42.00 is a wack o' cash for a single cog... King stuff is nice but damn.

My winter bike is getting a 44:16 (fixed) which is 68 gear inches (running 26 by 1.5 inch slicks)... I'll be riding in temps far colder than most with a lot more snow but for the most part, our routes stay pretty clear.

When the studs go on I will probably lower the gearing a little.

Thanks all for the info. I picked up a 14t cog (gearing down from my normal gear inch) for my rainy-weather commuter. Since, as scorpio516 noted, it rains fairly infrequently in Sacramento, I can ride my fair weather bike on non-rainy days with my normal gearing.

All of the input is much appreciated and very helpful!

I went with a 48:16 for the new fixed gear as that was what I had kicking around so I have 74.6 gear inches... I have to build up a new rear wheel and when I do that I can play with the rear cogs if the gearing is not to my liking.

It felt pretty good on the test ride and the bike is pretty light so that heolps with the larger gear.

I have to build up a new rear wheel and when I do that I can play with the rear cogs if the gearing is not to my liking.

What is comical in my situation is that a new front chainring costs less than a new rear cog:rolleyes: Even if I have to buy a new chain, a KMC or SRAM Chain + a new Salsa Ring still costs less than a new King Cog. My own fault.

Thanks for your help Sixty Fiver. PS. 75 gear inches must be a pain in the rear when starting from a dead stop or climbing overpasses. You are a stronger rider than I.

Sorry dude, that's not winter. Save your $42 - just stay on the road bike.

With that said, I do gear down to combat studded tire drag, cold dense air, and the extra clothing layers. 42-16 for 3 seasons. 39-17 for winter with studs, 39-16 winter with slicks, it's a surly cross check.

What is comical in my situation is that a new front chainring costs less than a new rear cog:rolleyes: Even if I have to buy a new chain, a KMC or SRAM Chain + a new Salsa Ring still costs less than a new King Cog. My own fault.

Thanks for your help Sixty Fiver. PS. 75 gear inches must be a pain in the rear when starting from a dead stop or climbing overpasses. You are a stronger rider than I.

I'm used to it... my road bike runs 77 gear inches and my path racer (ss) runs 81.

My fixed touring / commuting bikes run a 59/65 and a 65/72 while the fixed folder (used for commuting) runs 64 and 69.

If the weather turns evil I can always ride a bike with lower gearing or more gears and will have a geared winter bike as a backuo to he new fixed gear which will be getting a flip flop hub so I can run two fixed gearings.

Running a single speed or fixie in winter would be nuts IMO. My winter commute tends to have stronger and more variable winds than in summer. This really calls for gears.

Most critically - snow. I normally (in summer) run about 18 mph average. When I swap on the studs this drops to 12-14 mph. In 2 inches of snow? 8 mph. That's right, 2 inches of snow cuts my speed in half. I don't know how anyone can cover 8 mph to 14 mph with a single gear range and not damage their knees.

Running a single speed or fixie in winter would be nuts IMO. My winter commute tends to have stronger and more variable winds than in summer. This really calls for gears.

Most critically - snow. I normally (in summer) run about 18 mph average. When I swap on the studs this drops to 12-14 mph. In 2 inches of snow? 8 mph. That's right, 2 inches of snow cuts my speed in half. I don't know how anyone can cover 8 mph to 14 mph with a single gear range and not damage their knees.

My new gears... 48 and 16 for 74 gear inches, which I will probably lower when I build the new rear wheel.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/numberfive3.JPG

This appears to have been spoken by someone who has never ridden a fixed gear in the winter...

I have ridden fixed for two winters, used a 3 speed last winter with my fixed gear, and rode ss and geared bikes before that... and I know what winter is.

By far, the fixed gear has been the superior machine as it allows one to have incredible control, is very efficient, and has lower upkeep.

The wind always blows here, we get snow a plenty, and my knees have never been better.

I rode my fixed touring bike / commuter 82 miles last Sunday and a good portion of the ride was not pretty.

If so, please shoot me an e-mail @ photosound@comcast.net and what your ABSOLUTE bottom $ would be for it? Thanks much and happy spinning.

If so, please shoot me an e-mail @ photosound@comcast.net and what your ABSOLUTE bottom $ would be for it? Thanks much and happy spinning.

Huh? Congrats on bumping a 5 month old thread..... what exactly are you trying to buy? Was I selling something?