Pacific Northwest - Seattle fixed gear ratios
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Snowden
07-24-09, 10:42 PM
Alright, I saw that there was a short thread about this a while back, but I thought I'd ask again and see if there's any new input to be had... Seattle fg/ss riders, what gears are you using? I'm building up my first one, and I'm curious about what's flying around out there...
Thanks!
CliftonGK1
07-24-09, 11:58 PM
Where are you riding and what's your strength/endurance?
I ride a 42/18 combo (about 64 inches) and that's enough to get me up things like Novelty Hill, Education Hill, etc. over here on the eastside. I've used that ratio for a century, and I might ride that bike on Chilly Hilly next year.
woodway
07-25-09, 12:06 AM
32/18 on my SS with 26" wheels
32/20 on my 29er SS
Of course these are mountain bikes - probably not what you were looking for. :thumb:
ModRocker
07-25-09, 12:54 PM
Yeah, i'm moving to Seattle from Denver, which is pretty much flat. I'm running a 46/18 ratio on my single speed right not but thats all i've ever ridden since I started last summer. I don't really have a frame of reference for how different ratios feel. I was thinking about possibly getting a new chainring and freewheel for the move. How different would, say, a 42/20 feel compared to what i'm on now. Do I even need to worry about it?
lonesomesteve
07-28-09, 01:04 AM
I commute daily from Ravenna to downtown on a single speed (freewheel) with 46/18. With 32C tires that's about 69 gear inches. It's pretty ideal for me, but it really depends on what you and your legs can handle. I also rode that same bike with that gearing on the SiR 200k on Whidbey Island last weekend. There were no big climbs, but a lot of little ones for a total of about 6,200' so I'm told. My gearing was fine (though my legs could have been better).
I use 48/20 (about 64") but that doesn't really get me up anything really steep but works on most hills fine. Doesn't help that I have a heavy bike.
Velomatic
07-28-09, 01:08 PM
I live just outside of downtown Seattle on 1st hill. I've had a 44x18 (65.27 GI) setup for a couple of years and have never had an issue getting around, even when woefully out of shape. I would err on the side of a bigger gear (Within reason). I find I'm going downhill or on flats as much as up hill.