Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - whats a good gear ratio?

So i recently purchased a cheap track frame from a friend of mine for 30 bucks and seeing as it's not my main bike( i have an 18 speed road bike) i'm going to customize the hell out of it to make it a complete hipster stereotype, might as well right? i've already made my mind up on most of the components, the only thing i haven't decided is the gearing ratio. being used to a geared bike, gear ratio isn't a big deal seeing as you can't shift. I'm looking for something that i won't end up pedaling my ass off too much on downhills but will allow me to go uphill without vomiting in pain. suggestions please.

48x19 = 66.6 gear inches. versatile & satanic!

Most people use gearing in the 70's range. It depends a lot on the terrain and also whether you do a lot of stop and go. I'd get a crank with a 46T or 48T chainring and start out with a 17T chainring and see how it feels. If it feels to low, change to a 16T, if too high then an 18T.

I'm pretty new to this fixie business, but I have 43x16 and it feels pretty good up hill, down hill and flat!

48x17 ftw

49x16

Are you planning on skid stopping? (i'm assuming you're building fixed, not free). # of skid patches may be a consideration. See http://fixedgearwales.blogspot.com/2009/01/ratio.html

I ride 48x17 in the city with small hills (Central Park) without vomiting in pain. I do not regularly skid.

Since style is a concern, I suggest larger gears rather than smaller ones. I think they look cooler. For example, 52/26 and 40/20 will give you the same ratio but a large chainring looks more "track"-ish. (I don't suggest a 2/1 ratio, that's just an example. Also, I imagine a 26T freewheel or cog might be hard to find!)

66~72gi

Im running 49-19, but prolly go 49-20 soon.

Ronnie and Joe

http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/Lott_Ronnie_Action_180-220.jpg
X
http://hangtymeffl.com/coaches/joe-montana.jpg

48x16

Live in Portland.
Ride downtown and to the top of Sandy blvd 4 times a day.
I run 46/16 its perfect for the flats but killer on any "major" hills.
I want to spin just a bit more so I will switch to a 17-18 cog.
Spinning more/quicker makes for stronger legs in the long run.
Good luck.

You think you guys have steep hills?
Check this out. Then tell me what ratio you would use!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbvQqssD_jI

48x19 = 66.6 gear inches. versatile & satanic!

I have that with 39x16

It is a great gear.

53x16 during the summer 89.5gi, 53x18 the rest of the time 79.5gi.

Eek.

44/17 with 23c tires for me and I absolutely love it.

48x16

+1 Am thinking of going to 48x15. The terrain around my place is rolling hills and flat w/some 12-18% killers. No trouble on a geared bike, but gotta do switchbacks on my fg. Depends on your terrain and conditioning level.

52x14

53x16 during the summer 89.5gi, 53x18 the rest of the time 79.5gi.

I had 53x15 for a flat 10 mile TT this summer. It was perfect for that, but way too heavy for me to just ride around.

44/16 should be good. personally if i wasnt so cheap i would get 46/17 or something.

I had 53x15 for a flat 10 mile TT this summer. It was perfect for that, but way too heavy for me to just ride around.

I dont do any racing. I dink around on the velodrome every once in awhile but surprisingly, the gear doesnt seem that hard so I stick with it.

Unrelated: Seems like BikeForums finally censored the word for "the same" in Greek prefix.

Unrelated: Seems like BikeForums finally censored the word for "the same" in Greek prefix.

Homoerectus. Good step in evolution for the bicycle. Walking too.

I'm a portland boy myself so this is a most helpful tip.