Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - How Steep Before You Can't Climb No More?

I was riding up the short hill along the Hudson River that is by the Little Red Lighthouse and the GW Bridge in Manhattan, I was trying to pedal my fixed gear all the way up and about 1/3rd of the way, I just couldn't pedal anymore and had to walk my bike, it was too steep. It's a really short hill, but it's steep, I don't know the grade though. I'm sure my gear ratio didn't help.

At what point do you guys/gals find it too hard to pedal up a hill (if ever)?

When you loose your balance point and tip over. :)

From you sig. line, that is a pretty big gear. Toss a 16 or a 17 on the back and you will be surprised how much easier that hill will be. Your knees will smile as well, if not now, in a few years. A little rpms will do ya good.

Dave

I think that if I went under 3 mph I'd probably fall over!

When I'm on my fixed I avoid hills.

With my new ratio, 40/16 (67.5) I have no problems tackling most hills, at least here in Minnesota. I like the ratio I am riding better for a couple of reasons, one being the the forementioned ability to climb hills, the other being how spunky the bike feels. From a dead stop I can reach a decent clip in a short period of time. The last reason is that skid stopping is easier.

In my mind, unless you know you are going to be riding for a extended period of time without having to stop, the lower ratio is probably a better idea. I myself have to stop every 2 blocks or so, so there is no reason to struggle with a high ratio, makes no sense.

Phil

I was riding up the short hill along the Hudson River that is by the Little Red Lighthouse and the GW Bridge in Manhattan,


Hey, I know that hill... depending on how many people are playing tennis, etc. I always build up speed to make it up that section... what about the hill after you go through the tunnel... oi!...
how often do you ride uptown?

48x16 btw

In my mind, unless you know you are going to be riding for a extended period of time without having to stop, the lower ratio is probably a better idea. I myself have to stop every 2 blocks or so, so there is no reason to struggle with a high ratio, makes no sense.
same here. I was riding a 48:17, but moved to a more urban-friendly 42:16...same reasons

With my new ratio, 40/16 (67.5) ...

A 68" to 72" gear ratio has been the standard gear size used by competitive cyclists for preseason training for as long as I can remember. Nice gear to use for developing a smooth pedal stroke.

Hey, I know that hill... depending on how many people are playing tennis, etc. I always build up speed to make it up that section... what about the hill after you go through the tunnel... oi!...
how often do you ride uptown?

48x16 btw

I don't go there too much, just when I'm visiting a friend of mine in Inwood. That whole area of the Greenway up past the GW Bridge is tough to ride.


I like my gear ratio (48x15) because mostly I use my fixed gear for laps in Central Park, it gives me a good work out and doesn't kill me going up the "Great Hill" at the north tip of the park.

A 68" to 72" gear ratio has been the standard gear size used by competitive cyclists for preseason training for as long as I can remember. Nice gear to use for developing a smooth pedal stroke.

I have to say, my cadence has improved quite a bit, it feels normal to me to be cruising along at a 100+ cadence anymore. I guess when I was younger, I felt I needed the highest gear possible, perhaps as a means of prooving my manhood, I think I am wiser now (and a heck of a lot faster). I even remember the last time I rode a geared bike with a computer, I was pushing hard at a 50/15 ratio going about 22 MPH. For no good reason, I down shifted to 50/17 (or 18), which increased my pedalling cadence quite a bit. To my surprise, also my speed increased 2 MPH up to 24. The only variable which changed was the ratio, so it really made me re-evaluate my cycling style. No longer did I need to proove myself as a Man by pushing some wacky 90+ gear inches. From that day forward, I would just justify my manhood by passing all of the silly children pushing such gear ratios.


Phil