Mountain Biking - Single speed guys chime in on gear inches

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Darth_Firebolt
11-01-12, 04:23 PM
How many gear inches are you guys rolling, and for what terrain?
I know 70 is a good number for an all around road bike, but I've never heard of a general rule for a MTB. In our shop we have one bike rolling 57gi with a suspension fork and another bike rolling 46gi with a rigid carbon fork. Just wondering what other people are having good luck with.
Thanks.

Glynn Sluder
11-01-12, 05:18 PM
I'm in Kansas and ride a variety of trails as well as gravel roads. For the easy stuff I'm running 32/17 which is about 54 g.i. Probably step this up later this year. Everything else I ride 32/20 which is 46 g.i. cause I like to clear eveything possible.
lubes17319
11-01-12, 07:04 PM
Front Range - Rocky Mountains, CO
Me, & most I know run 32x20 or 32x21 for bigger rides....on 29" bikes.

johnybutts
11-01-12, 07:28 PM
Depending on the terrain, I run 32x16, 32x18 or 32x20. cogs are cheap.
SnowJob
11-01-12, 07:41 PM
I run a 33X19 on my 29er. On my old 26er it was 32X16.

In hillier places I swap out to a 33X20 or 21.
frantik
11-01-12, 07:58 PM
I've been experimenting with the low 60gi range for flat urban terrain (road/grass/gravel)
Darth_Firebolt
11-01-12, 09:16 PM
cool. thanks for the responses, errybody!
Dannihilator
11-06-12, 06:32 PM
32x16, thinking about 33x16 though.
LesterOfPuppets
11-06-12, 06:35 PM
2:1 chainring:cog is an excellent starting point for 26" wheels. Adjust as needed.