Cyclocross - What gear ratio do you like for a SSCX bike?

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junkyardking
10-15-11, 04:58 PM
I'm looking to build up a SSCX frame to race with a little at the end of this season, but also for some single track riding and 'round town commuting. The UK manufacturer On-One has a model I like (Il Pompino) for fairly cheap, and they do a frame/fork bundle that comes with a bunch of other parts for under $500.

I'm wondering what those of you who have SSCX bikes like as far as gear ratios are concerned. I've read that 39/16 and 39/17 are popular combos, but I can't find any chainrings that are single speed specific and only 39 t. It seems like 42 T is the minimum out there. Could I just use a 39 T chainring designed to be the middle ring for a triple crank?

Also, does anyone have advice on how to get a nice, pretty, straight chainline?

flargle
10-15-11, 06:05 PM
Also, does anyone have advice on how to get a nice, pretty, straight chainline?Use a freehub with spacers so you can easily tweak the location of the rear cog. And actually measure things out and get it correct down to the mm. And be sure to take a chainline photo, pretend it's 2006, and send it to fixedgeargallery.com.
WMBIGS
10-15-11, 06:52 PM
http://surlybikes.com/parts/stainless_steel_chainrings
These are nice single speed chainrings

scrub
10-15-11, 07:03 PM
I race an Il Pompino, I like it. I use a tiagra hollowtech crank with a 39t inner ring and a BBG bashguard on the outside. Rear wheel is spaced 120 and a 17 or 18 tooth shimano freewheel.

I really like it! No issues with chainline.