Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Gearing up?

Hey, i have been riding the bike a lot recently. I work as a messenger recently i have noticed a substantial increase in terms of my speed, my climbing ability, my energy level and overall my metabolism. I started to put in only 7 - 8 hours a day on the bike, but recently i have been able to surpass that by at least an hour or 2. Currently i am riding a fixed bike on 46/18, am i ready to gear up to 46/17 or should i wait more for risk of knee injury.

Currently i am using a front brake on the bike but i have noticed some irritation if i use my legs to slow the bike down too much. I fear that i am not challenging myself by staying on this ratio as i can climb many of the steeper hills still sitting down. What should i do.

Since you're using a brake, its a ton easier on your knees than backpedaling. So you should be fine to gear up.

Did I read that correctly? Are you saying that when you started riding, you would typically ride for 7 to 8 hours?

Just do it, you'll either like it or you won't and it only cost you a cog - maybe a half link too.


I fear that i am not challenging myself by staying on this ratio as i can climb many of the steeper hills still sitting down. What should i do.

What's wrong with that? Spin faster.

Steeper hills?

New York City?

:lol::lol::lol:

Steeper hills?

New York City?

:lol::lol::lol:

Washington heights, harlem, staten island, and the areas around park slope and sunset park are all hilly. But yeah i guess comparatively we are really flat

Did I read that correctly? Are you saying that when you started riding, you would typically ride for 7 to 8 hours?

I work as a messenger all i do is ride the bike so it is typical for anyone who rides as a bike messenger to work from 9 - 5 or 10 - 6, some guys can work from 8 - 8 at night so they ride 12 hours in 1 day. I like what hairnet said about the change, i guess what i fear is just stressing or injuring my knees when i have been doing so well lately; because if i do get injured it will typically take me anywhere from 2 - 3 months to be back to normal and those weeks are very, very long . . . but i suppose 1 tooth should not make much of a diff

You'd be increasing by about 4-5 gear inches

Make sure you're stretching and eating right - you should be fine.

I work as a messenger all i do is ride the bike so it is typical for anyone who rides as a bike messenger to work from 9 - 5 or 10 - 6, some guys can work from 8 - 8 at night so they ride 12 hours in 1 day. I like what hairnet said about the change, i guess what i fear is just stressing or injuring my knees when i have been doing so well lately; because if i do get injured it will typically take me anywhere from 2 - 3 months to be back to normal and those weeks are very, very long . . . but i suppose 1 tooth should not make much of a diff

Got a job for me ;) ? Ride about 40 hours a week as a delivery guy

are you from new york, if so just type in bike messenger on craigslist and reply to some of those ads and test your skills. Messenger work is very different from food deliveries as the demand to stay in the street ride non-stop without ever resting to go to help out in the kitchen, or go back to pick up more food. The runs are long too sometimes ranging from 40-80 blocks and you won't make any tips. The pay is **** too.

Yeah but they're so cool:


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

"20 BLOCKS MORE LIKE 40 BLOCKS."

are you from new york, if so just type in bike messenger on craigslist and reply to some of those ads and test your skills. Messenger work is very different from food deliveries as the demand to stay in the street ride non-stop without ever resting to go to help out in the kitchen, or go back to pick up more food. The runs are long too sometimes ranging from 40-80 blocks and you won't make any tips. The pay is **** too.

Sounds like maybe i should get you a job ;) ive heard we make about the same

I work as a messenger all i do is ride the bike so it is typical for anyone who rides as a bike messenger to work from 9 - 5 or 10 - 6, some guys can work from 8 - 8 at night so they ride 12 hours in 1 day. I like what hairnet said about the change, i guess what i fear is just stressing or injuring my knees when i have been doing so well lately; because if i do get injured it will typically take me anywhere from 2 - 3 months to be back to normal and those weeks are very, very long . . . but i suppose 1 tooth should not make much of a diff

Wow. That's impressive. Do you have a computer? I'd be curious to know what kind of mileage you're putting in.

In any event, I think you're almost always better off dropping a few gear inches, especially in an urban setting. But then I'm an old guy with old knees.

If you're doing good and everything is OK, why do you want to change gears? Just keep what is working for you....

Bahaha! WTF? X-Men Dawgg

to be honest ill do about 25 - 35 miles a day everyday so you talking 110 - 160 miles a week every week, when i do bike tours i keep up with a lot of the roadies, but then again you have those roadies who ride every weekend 80 miles at least so those guys will burn me ez : )

Personally I would rather have the lower gear as I like to accelerate and brake (FG) hard and find my average speed is higher with a lower gear even if my peak speed is a little lower.

Learn to spin – you should be able to do 130rpm if you need to. Nothing wrong with sitting down when going up hill. If you want a challenge, challenge yourself to spin fast and smooth. That is something most bikers can do better at (especially the roadies).

That said, you are talking about changing from 69 to 73 gear inches. 73 inches is not too big for someone who does a lot of riding like you do. For the cost of a new cog, it is worth a try. 69 gear inches will definitely be easier on your knees.

good point