Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Will changing my gear ratio from this to this make a big difference or not?

Hi. I'm currently riding 48x17 gear ratio on my fixed gear bike. My legs aren't strong enough to skid on this ratio. I was wondering if I changed to a 44x17 gear ratio, if it'd be easier for me to skid stop? How much of a difference would this make? I'm a female rider and sort of new to riding fixed gear. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=468351
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should be good. just a bit under 70 gear inches, if you're using 700x23.
if you want to make it really easy, get it under 65GI.

I'm riding 48/20, I wanted it to be 48/19 which has waaaay more skidpatches but oh well. I've never had such a low gearing on a fixie before and it's pretty fun. It makes skids way easier than 48 16 was. I would prefer 48/16 but this bike won't take brakes and so I'm running an easier "safer" gearing.

i just got a new bike with 48x16 with 700x23 and i can't skid to save my life. maybe i'm locking my legs in the wrong position. it just seems that 48 is too much for me.

it just seems that 48 is too much for me.

? just put a bigger cog...

You can get a smaller chainring, or a larger cog to make it easier.
I'd go with the cog, you can get a good one cheaper than a crappy quality chainring.
Plus, it'll make the same amount of difference to your gear inches.

Play with this gear calculator (http://www.surplace.fr/ffgc/).

No one can really answer your question, other than to say that a smaller gear ratio will give you more mechanical advantage at the expense of having to pedal faster at a given speed. However, different people are better suited to different gear ratios. Rather than changing your chainring, buy a few cogs and experiment. You may find that you want to use different gear ratios, depending on the situation, and as your fitness waxes and wanes.

Good luck!

You can get a smaller chainring, or a larger cog to make it easier.
I'd go with the cog, you can get a good one cheaper than a crappy quality chainring.
Plus, it'll make the same amount of difference to your gear inches.

Play with this gear calculator (http://www.surplace.fr/ffgc/).
I agree, just get an 18t or 19t cog instead of getting another chainring.

Yes, the chainring change will make it much easier. Cheaper to get a new cog though. Also funny how people are semi trying to thread jack up in here.