Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Should I get a new freewheel and track cog?

I recently got the Dawes SST AL and the first thing I noticed was that the included freewheel and track cog are pieces of crap. The included freewheel isn't smooth and has 17t and the included track cog has 18t. I was thinking of going 48-16. Can people tell me if 48-16 is good and what brands make good freewheels and track cogs? I know that Phil Woods are good, but that is way out of my budget. My cogs are screw-ons. I also wanted to know how to find whether my cogs are 3/32" or 1/8". Thanks.

I accidentally posted this in the Road forum. Oops.

48/16 isnt good, only 3 skid patches. Go either 46/17 or 48/17. For size check if it says on the cogs, if not maybe measure them. 3/32 look really thin though.

What are skid patches?

Is the size the diameter of the hole?

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2102/fixedgearingcharttr8.jpg

Skid patches are on how many places you can skid on your wheel. The more patches, the longer it takes for your tire to wear out from skidding. With 3 prepare to spend money on tires often, if you skid.

Gear calculator which gives skid patches: http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

The cog size? It's based on the number of teeth.

What are some good freewheels and track cogs? Dura Ace?

White Industries' ENO freewheels are the best freewheels on the market, expensive but very well made.

Shimano freewheels are pretty much standard, can't go wrong with them.

Many good track cogs, Dura Ace, Surly, EAI, Phil etc etc.

I recommend Milwaukee cogs made in the USA. http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=612_620&zenid=53cc511d7de6cc2de1d687f9ad1c990e
Their lockrings are great too.

48/16 is a bad street gear. Pick a combo that is 65-70 gear inches.

What exactly is gear inch?

Is a higher gear inch measure better for skidding? Or is lower better?

Sure.

Low gear inches = easier pedaling/skiddz

There's no such thing as "bad" gearing or "good" gearing. It just depends what you're using it for. My winter bike is geared 40-18 while my fixed road bike is geared 52-15, but that's a bit high. Ride around on a derailer bike similar to your fixie, and see what gear you spend the most time in/feel the most comfortable with.

I run 48/16. With bullhorns, those hills got nothing on me.

I recommend Milwaukee cogs made in the USA. http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=612_620&zenid=53cc511d7de6cc2de1d687f9ad1c990e
Their lockrings are great too.

48/16 is a bad street gear. Pick a combo that is 65-70 gear inches.

I would suggest Dura Ace cogs and lockrings. I can't speak for Milwaukee though.

Also, 65-70 is too small! (at least for me). I can't see myself lowering below 80 gi

My male appendage is bigger than your male appendage.

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Also, 65-70 is too small! (at least for me). I can't see myself lowering below 80 gi

On the street?

i've always been in the mid to high 70s. it's best for me. low enough that i can handle any hill around. and it's much better for descending. you don't have to spin at lightning speeds.

40-50rpm ftw.

Can you guys link me to some bike store that sells good freewheels and track cogs?

Also, 65-70 is too small! (at least for me). I can't see myself lowering below 80 gi

c'mon baby, spin those thunder thighs. :P

I ride 48/17 and its perfect for slight hills and riding around town. I'm not spinning like crazy on downhills, and it's comfortable. Seems to be the norm, and 76 gear inches is nice and easy, unlike the lunatic who rides 52/15.

I'm about to pull the trigger on these 2. Is Bikesmiths a legit site?

http://thebikesmiths.com/j/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=104&category_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=59
http://thebikesmiths.com/j/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=201&category_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=59

I'm about to pull the trigger on these 2. Is Bikesmiths a legit site?

http://thebikesmiths.com/j/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=104&category_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=59
http://thebikesmiths.com/j/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=201&category_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=59

The site is fine. Now, are you sure you want a 3/32" cog?

What's wrong with a 3/32" cog?

Nothing is wrong with the cog, and now that I think about it it probably doesnt matter too much.

Making the mistake of ordering a 1/8 cog for a 3/32 drivetrain would be a bit of a problem. Wouldnt want to order parts that didnt fit only to find out you just ordered the wrong size on accident

you're all fulla questions, aren't you, leslie?

anyway, google is your friend, and will give you many direct answers to these questions. also, sheldonbrown.com will answer a whole mess of these too.

as for 3/32 vs 1/8th cog, a 3/32 cog is great because it'll work with whatever chain you have already. however, I'd prefer 1/8th cogs and getting yourself a 1/8th chain, as most FG/SS stuff comes in 1/8th. unless you're REALLY splitting hairs, it doesn't matter, but just pick one, and stick with it, that way you'll always know what to look for in the future. You can run a 1/8th chain with anything, but if its a 3/32 chain, you need 3/32 cogs/chainrings.

with respect to the bike smith, i think I got my crankset from their ebay site. they're legit and shipping was quick, i think. However, the bike smith is a pretty common bike shop name, so I might be mistaken. In general, most online shops anywhere for anything are fine, it comes down to the speed of shipping and customer service.

you'll get the cog/lockring eventually, and considering the nature of them, you really shouldnt need any customer service. figure out if you want 3/32 or 1/8, and pull the trigger. the price is decent, so worst case scenario, you have to wait a week. no biggie.

edit: oh, also a new chain is only ~10, so worst case scenario, if you have to up your chain size, it'd be easier to grab something like a sram pc-1 from your lbs instead of shipping both ways/waiting for a different cog to come.

Can you guys link me to some bike store that sells good freewheels and track cogs?
Almost every lbs in the country sells Shimano freewheels and Surly cogs.
FWIW I run 48/18t fixed and 48/20 ss.