Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 47X16 fixie ratio.

So, I ride a 59cm Pake with a Velocity deep V rim with Soma everwear tires that have seen a few miles. I have yet to spin out, but I'm finding I'm having some trouble skidding, more so than I've had in the past with other bikes.
I'm thinking it could be the gear ratio,

47X16,

which I'm not used to.
I was wondering, in an environment like Seattle, what would be a better ratio for me to try out? I don't mind putting some leg work into hills, but I also don't mind spinning a little more.

I would really just appreciate easier skidding.
Suggestions please?
(Like how I broke it up for easier skimming?)

Try 47/17 first, if you don't like it, go 47/18.

47/18 is a very good ratio for the hills.

lower the gearing, usually easier the skidding.

personally have 48/17

However, it's a matter of time you spend on a bike and skidding.

just go out and practice!! I should go out and practice some keo spins..

Have you skidded with deep wheels before? I've never ridden Veeps, but maybe it's more difficult to skid with a heavier wheel? I dunno. The ratio should be fine... I used to run 52/16.

I've been running 47/17 for the past 6 months and it is by far the best ratio I've ridden so far. Get a 17t cog, you'd be surprised how much difference it makes.

i currently run 48x18 and gotta say it's a very versatile gear ratio but i've just ordered a 52t sugino chainwheel as i found i was spinning out a bit down hills which became a bit annoying... also the 3 skid patches i think will become a bit annoying while the 9 with 52x18 will be better in the long run

i run 47/16. its fine for hills.

skid patch concerns on a ratio with only a few patches can be rectified by actually removing your wheel and rotating it a tooth once in a while. people should be trying to get a ratio that works for them in the area they ride, not determining if they will skid through a tire quickly or not based on skid patch numbers. light speed checking and skip stopping will have a tire lasting a lot longer than ripping 25ft sideways every time.

I was running 48x18 as well and agree it was a very versatile gear ratio. What do most believe to be the MOST versatile gear ratio? A little off this subject, sorry.

thats about the most versatile ratio i reckon... good for medium grade hils and traffic in a town and not too bad for spinning down a hill

The only acceptable gear ratio is 51x23, all other gear ratios are wrong.

why is 51x23 acceptable? why have such a large rear cog?

i ask for education purposes not to be inflammatory

I ride 48 14 on one bike and 45 14 on another. They're both fine but, obviously, the 45 is a little easier going uphill. I don't skid, though. I'm more into the going faster part than the stopping all cool part.

skid patch concerns on a ratio with only a few patches can be rectified by actually removing your wheel and rotating it a tooth once in a while.
OP has a 47T ring. 47 is a prime number, so he will always have the maximum possible number of skid patches regardless of what cog size he uses. If you want easier skids, use a larger cog in back.


people should be trying to get a ratio that works for them in the area they ride, not determining if they will skid through a tire quickly or not based on skid patch numbers. light speed checking and skip stopping will have a tire lasting a lot longer than ripping 25ft sideways every time.
Agreed.

why is 51x23 acceptable? why have such a large rear cog?

i ask for education purposes not to be inflammatory

I just grabbed some numbers out of the air. It's ridiculous to ask "what is the best/most versatile ratio". That is like asking "what is the best pants size?" or "what is the best shoe?"

The answer depends on how strong you are, how you intend to use it, where you intend to ride it... a hundred different things.


There are three pieces of useful information that can possibly be related in a thread like this:
1) Higher gear ratios are harder to pedal but let you go faster
2) Lower gear ratios are easier to pedal but your top speed will be less
3) A good starting point is 65-70 gear inches

There are three pieces of useful information that can possibly be related in a thread like this:
1) Higher gear ratios are harder to pedal but let you go faster
2) Lower gear ratios are easier to pedal but your top speed will be less
3) A good starting point is 65-70 gear inches

4) Lower gear ratios will require a higher cadence when descending
5) Lower gear ratios will be easier to stop/skid

get some gears

There are three pieces of useful information that can possibly be related in a thread like this:
1) Higher gear ratios are harder to pedal but let you go faster
2) Lower gear ratios are easier to pedal but your top speed will be less
3) A good starting point is 65-70 gear inches


4) Lower gear ratios will require a higher cadence when descending
5) Lower gear ratios will be easier to stop/skid

completely agree... but he is asking what people suggest might be a good starting point

as has been mentioned on this entire forum OP, anywhere between 65-75 gear inches is a good start for most riding... you have to sort yourself out from there on it

chainwheels aren't all that expensive and a nice collection will make your bike very versatile

OP has a 47T ring. 47 is a prime number, so he will always have the maximum possible number of skid patches regardless of what cog size he uses. If you want easier skids, use a larger cog in back.


i understood that. i was making ref to the post above mine that commented on skid patches which, in my opinion, are a complete non-issue. ever.

thanks for agreeing with me.

get some gears

this. if you dont have the anaerobic[sp? meaning? or do i mean aerobic? lulz] range to ride a singlespeed/fixed gear, then dont.

anaerobic is exercise or 'respiration' without the used of oxygen in the respiratory process (ie, short bursts of energy expenditure - sprinting)
aerobic refers to long term extended exercise utilising oxygen as a part of the energy producing equation

aerobic system produces more energy from a unit of glucose than anaerobic system but it is a much slower system and responds to extended exercise

both are relevant in riding a fixed gear (or any) bicycle, depending on the type of terrain you are riding in

I just grabbed some numbers out of the air. It's ridiculous to ask "what is the best/most versatile ratio". That is like asking "what is the best pants size?" or "what is the best shoe?"

The answer depends on how strong you are, how you intend to use it, where you intend to ride it... a hundred different things.


There are three pieces of useful information that can possibly be related in a thread like this:
1) Higher gear ratios are harder to pedal but let you go faster
2) Lower gear ratios are easier to pedal but your top speed will be less
3) A good starting point is 65-70 gear inches

This. Not to pick on the OP, but I never understand these threads, which invariably devolve into pissing matches. Honestly, if I were a mod, I'd kill them on sight. Fixed/ss bikes are a gearing compromise, and each rider needs to decide what gearing best reflects his or her needs. Or get gears.

why is 51x23 acceptable? why have such a large rear cog?

i ask for education purposes not to be inflammatory

Prime numbers --> Prime drivetrain.

I've only been able to really skid when I do a panic brake and I've got both brake levers clamped down AND I'm locked up on the cranks. Then I skid like a pro.

I use a 42-15 ratio. And front and rear brakes.

OP, if you are having trouble skidding at your gear ratio, going to a lower one will make it easier. Also easier to climb but you'll be spinning a higher cadence on the flats. Don't hesitate to swap cogs; it's the only way to find "your" gear ratio. When I first got my San Jose, it was with a 42-17. After a while, it was obviously too low a gear. I went to the 42-15 and stayed there.

Don't worry about what everyone else is riding(or claiming to ride with); go with whatever works for you. Personally, I wouldn't go brakeless. Just because the brakes are there doesn't mean you can't skid but having the brakes there makes things so much easier and safer.

Chris Hoy's ratio or bust.