Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Flip-flop question

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roscoe50
12-24-04, 08:51 AM
For those using these, do you use the same size cogs on both?

BostonFixed
12-24-04, 08:59 AM
What's the point with using two cogs of the same size? Then there is no reason to flip/flop it. Use a different size cog on the other side or a BMX freewheel for some variation...
HereNT
12-24-04, 09:03 AM
With a flip flop, you could coast on one side, so concievably someone could want the same ratio. I think most people use a larger freewheel, because if they get to the point in the ride that they need to coast, then the easier gearing is a plus.

BostonFixed
12-24-04, 09:07 AM
Usually when I hear cog, I don't think 'BMX freewheel", i think fixed cog...

I agree with you on the same sized BMX freewheel on the flop side...
HereNT
12-24-04, 09:11 AM
That would be a fix/fix not a flip/flop. Semantics and terminology. Kind of like brakes/breaks. Both seem the same here...
ostro
12-24-04, 11:11 AM
unless you have horizontal track drop outs, chain length maybe an issue for you. If you cut your chain for 15t cog and it fits just perfectly it maybe too short on the freewheel side if you run a 16t.
Paul And Pista
12-25-04, 11:09 AM
Is there some sort of formula for figuring out how much more chain you will need for each increase in cog teeth? Just curious...
roadfix
12-25-04, 11:25 AM
You can go out 50 miles fixed and if you feel a little bonked coming back, flip your wheel and ride the freewheel back home. Your freewheel can be a tooth or two larger than your fixed cog.
BostonFixed
12-25-04, 11:33 AM
1 tooth increase on a cog/freewheel/chainring = about an 1/8" of chain length needed
loaf
12-25-04, 10:29 PM
does anyone actually flip their wheel? i just have those extra threads on the freewheel side hanging out, doing nothing. I might actually flip the wheel around just to see what it's like, but then I'd have to take off my lockring and cog, and put brakes on... so it's probably never going to get done unless I get snowed in and go insane.
mpatrick
12-26-04, 02:37 AM
i have a 17 on the freewheel side loctice on, then i have a 16 on the other side. just so i ll have a change every once in a while
xveganx
12-26-04, 10:44 AM
if one sides cog was larger than the other, when you flip it would you have to add on to the chain?
HereNT
12-26-04, 10:47 AM
Depends on the difference. It's why horizontal long dropouts are recommended.