Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Best cog size for a 49t chainwheel

Excuse the ignorance, but I just picked up a Suntour Superbe Pro crankset with a 49 tooth Sugino 75 chain ring with which I plan to convert an 86 Peugeot Triathlon (PSV).

What would you suggest is the best cog size for me to use in a relatively flat city (Boston). I'll need to clear a few hills, but I hate spinning crazily when I'm on a nice clear bikepath. Does 17t sound right? Should I go lower?

Personally, I would go 17 or 18. It's relatively flat where I live and I find 48/17 to be an ovverall perfect ratio for the riding I do.

I'm with Scrod. 17 or 18 would be most comfortable, and best for all-purpose fixed riding. If you're going to use it to race, you might go 15/16, but I think 17/18 would be far better for a street bike.

17t sounds about right

17 if you are in fit shape, 16 if you ride more than a few times a week and like to hang around 22mph when cruising. 18 if those hills you have to clear are something you have to ride often.

I ride a 48/16, 700x23c, 170mm crank and fits my rider perfectly for mostly flat, occasional hill.

I run 48/17 and its great. My commute has a few decent hills and a few decent downhills. I spin at about 25MPH on straights/slight downs and never have a problem with spinning out. I can handle most "hills" without standing and pedalling. i think its my ideal ratio for now. Probably going to try a 19t out.

48/17 is the cat's meow. My favorite for sure.

My carpet fiber fixie is 49x18.

My carpet fiber fixie is 49x18.

Is it the shag model?

I'm in Boston too, and I ride 48/18 every day. In my opinion, it's a good ratio for the area, but it might be too high for someone who rides only occasionally or someone who wants to cruise a little easier on flat sections.

17t is the place to start. You'll figure it out from there.

Excellent. I'll start with 17 and see where that gets me. Many thanks.

saw it now, nevermind......

I'd get a 18t, heck, even a 19t. I like to spin, that is all.

16t

done

It depends on two things:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xwYQ63SqUeI/SSZp8MPSHRI/AAAAAAAAA-M/682u4woSOrA/s320/HillyRoad.jpg

and

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_urSQl6wUA5g/SYJkspaaCvI/AAAAAAAAGBk/aO9qB-Y7UPU/s400/ivan%27s-legs.jpg

I would start with an 18t and go from there.

Where did you get that pic of my legs???

49/49.

48/19 in seattle is barely manageable. then again, if you need to clear a few 'hills' in boston, we in seattle might call them 'pebbles.' 17 is probably fine.

Where did you get that pic of my legs???

:blushes:

I follow you home from school sometimes.

I knew that was you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRpD4wjIkQ4

48/19 in seattle is barely manageable. then again, if you need to clear a few 'hills' in boston, we in seattle might call them 'pebbles.' 17 is probably fine.

oh how you make us east coasters blush, I'll take you up some hills, iffin you are man enough.

not on 49/17 you won't.

i'm not saying there aren't hills out east, i'm saying you didn't build your cities on them.

I dig cc700's new links, very original.

i'm not saying there aren't hills out east, i'm saying you didn't build your cities on them.

we like to make sense.

http://mp3tera.org/upimg/allimg/090410/1518360.jpg

49/18 is very manageable. That is what I ride, but my bike doesn't have brakes, and I live in a hilly city (and ride some of the bigger hills frequently). If I had a brake and/or lived in a city slightly less hilly, I would go 49/17 for sure

What would you suggest is the best cog size for me to use in a relatively flat city (Boston). I'll need to clear a few hills, but I hate spinning crazily when I'm on a nice clear bikepath.


This;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/HHH2010008.jpg

This;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/HHH2010008.jpg

Why would you tell someone to ride with a tire that deflated?! it may be dangerous!http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3691/gsgd.jpg

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

If the OP wanted a bike with gears, he'd ride a bike with gears. This is SSFG and he was asking a legitimate question within the parameters of this subforum.

avner - you love posting that pic. :lol:

http://blogs.stylebible.ph/previewblog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/west_side_story_22343t1.jpg

Represeeentin

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

If the OP wanted a bike with gears, he'd ride a bike with gears. This is SSFG and he was asking a legitimate question within the parameters of this subforum.

Pardon the intrusion...

Hey all - thanks (I think...). 17 is on and feels just right - not too hot and not too cold. It does require a little extra up a couple hills (pebbles) but on the other hand I can keep a stable, smooth rhythmn down hills and straight aways. I think I'll thread an 18 or a 19 onto the other side of the hubin case I start struggling in hilly sections or feeling feeble, but so far I haven't felt I needed it.

49 X 19 with 23 mm tires gives 68 gear inches.

Learn to spin.

49 X 19 with 23 mm tires gives 68 gear inches.

Learn to spin.

I agree. Spinning is totally underrated, it seems.

It takes far less energy so spin and you can do it longer and use it to climb hills. Every cyclist appreciates one who can spin fluidly and effortlessly. Plus it's easier to stop and accelerate a bike with a lower gear ratio, which makes it much safer.

I think that folks who ride a 16t on the street are nuts. Yeah you are strong, but can you stop. I know a guy who was known for riding big gears while brakeless. He ran into a car.

IMO, when you ride brakeless on the street, you're only as fast as you can stop. I experienced the first time of being "brakeless" for the last couple of days with the ice covered in the street. I was so slow and constantly skipping to stop when going down hill, not too fun.