Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - MOVED: Austin (TX) area fixie gearing suggestions...

I'm new to this section of the forums and have been interested in turning my old Raleigh Super Record into a fixie for riding to work. I was wondering if anyone in the Austin area (or anyone else for that matter) could give me some suggestions for gear configurations. My ride to work is mostly a gradual downhill (thus uphill on the way back) with a couple doozy hills thrown in (we're right on the edge of the Hill Country).

Any suggestions would be certainly appreciated.

Thanks

How fit are you? Try for around 65-70 gear inches. I'm at about 70in and I have a 2 mile uphill (5-6% I think) from my work.

i know some running 52/53x18.. i can only make do with 42x16

I run a 53x18. I use to run a 53x16 - but that was a bit much.

For me, 53x18 is the perfect combo for the area - never spin out and easy enough to push up the short hills we have here.

Sounds like my area of LA. I live a few miles north (read, up the hills) of downtown (the flat part). I'm pretty much down the hill from anywhere I go.

I run 48/16. It's a bit big, I'm starting to realize, but great for sprinting through lights/powering through hills.

just depends on how fit you are and how comfortable you are w/the hills. you should already have a pretty good idea how the ride will feel w/your current setup; just subtract the couple of pounds you'll lose when you take off all the gears. personally, i like my 46x16 though it was a little hard on my knees at first.

Climbing is no problem, slowing on a long or steep downhill would be my concern with gearing if you're going to go brakeless. With a front brake you can pick any gear ratio you want and you'll do ok in Austin, hills short but steep.