Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Gear too tall for the street?

Im new at fixed gear but I know when Im hooked, and oh man am I hooked. The bike came with 18x48. Is that gear too high to be ok for street ridding? Some here say its why I hurt myself, but I think its cause I tend to try to do too much too soon. Do others use gearing this high for the street? or should I get something lower? thanks......

I'm riding 48x18 and like it quite a bit. I also like 48x15, but I'm currently too soft for that. It really comes down to personal preference. If you think you'd be more comfortable pushing a lower gear, then go for it.

I've currently got 47x15 and think its pretty rad, skidding is pretty tough though. I have a blast on flats and downhills, but I totally lost the quick acceleration and stopping I had with the 42x15. I like a good workout these days though.
So, my suggestion? Try a lower gear and see how you like it - they both have their pros and cons (or maybe just pros or just cons, depending on what type of rider you are) and the only way you will know which to go with is to try it out yourself.

Yeah, like the man said, it's all about you.

I rock 48x16 on the streets, and I'm okay with that because I don't mind pushing up hills if it means I won't have to spin out on the other side (and still go fast). But by all means, hit up a smaller gear if you feel like it's hurting your knees. You can always go up if you find yourself spinning out.

48x18 is roughly equivalent to 42x16, or approximately 70 gear inches. If you look at the Fixed Gear Gallery, most of those bikes are at or above 70 gear inches, and many people feel very comfortable between 75 and 80 gear inches. If you need to figure out an easier combination, this website is helpful:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

in the UNITED STATES, where do you live, veganrider? hilly? flat? that'll matter.

Yeah, like the man said, it's all about you.

I rock 48x16 on the streets, and I'm okay with that because I don't mind pushing up hills if it means I won't have to spin out on the other side (and still go fast). But by all means, hit up a smaller gear if you feel like it's hurting your knees. You can always go up if you find yourself spinning out.

Hey you guys, Im sorry, I goofed, mine IS 48x16 (I just counted) not 48x18. I had a couple Mooseheads and it sorta f'ed me up; I can really feel it. Oh well. :) Your right about the speed, this baby sure can boogie and I have had her up some hills I use to train on with my geared road bike, my problem is learing to stop wthout a brake; seems like a different group of muscles that I havent gotten into yet.

Solution: put on a brake! Seriously, whatever the fixie-fundies say, there's nothing wrong with having a brake.

use a brake until you notice that you haven't used it in a few months. taking it off will be a really enjoyable rite of passage.

and, as we all know, 48/16 produces ONE skid spot. so, either

a) rotate your tire frequently
b) put on a front brake and rarely skid or
c) get a 17t cog

i would go for b and c. ride with a brake for a couple months and then take it off when you've mastered the skid/skip stop.

and, as we all know, 48/16 produces ONE skid spot. so, either

a) rotate your tire frequently
b) put on a front brake and rarely skid or
c) get a 17t cog

i would go for b and c. ride with a brake for a couple months and then take it off when you've mastered the skid/skip stop.

Yep. I rock 42x14 which is pretty much the same as the 48x16 and gives one skid spot as well. I'm going with a 15t cog when I get my new wheelset. I was going to go with option b but skidding and skipping is so much fun.

What do you guys mean by "one skid spot"? I'm assuming that means the same spot on the tire is being skidded on? What causes that? Is there something about running an odd toothed cog that makes that not an issue. I'm currently running a 40x15. Havent really had a chance to toy with other gearing options, as this seems to work well, and I dont have extra gears to try.
And junioroverlord, you happen to have been riding the miracle mile on saturday night with a few other fixies?

no tengo, read this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=75913

If you want to skid, just get a coaster brake. ;)

I ran 48/16 for a while, now 47/16 and it's fine. I just wouldn't go brakeless, my knees are already a little messed up I think from years of skating.

I ran 48/16 for a while, now 47/16 and it's fine. I just wouldn't go brakeless, my knees are already a little messed up I think from years of skating.

My knees are pretty messed up too from years of skating. If you really wanted to, I don't think it would be a problem. I run 48x16 without brakes and it's just something I slowly acclimated myself to. I think my kness are stronger because I'm using both sides of my legs.

My knees are in the same boat, but they're trying to get out! I study Taiji & Bagua on the side to rehabilitate & condition the knees. I'd recommend some similar rehab to those with knee issues as well.


I think 48x16 is a pretty good ratio for starting out (if the riding conditions fit) but it seems the right balance for power. Not too heavy to push, gives good speed. Would consider losing a tooth for more skids too.

Consider a 17t and a brake.

I'm currently rocking the 52x16, but then I rarely skid, it just takes too much on my knees, I'll be going to 52x17 when my effing cog arives. oh yeah and mine is too steep to make it up some hills if I don't allready have momentum.

What do you guys mean by "one skid spot"? I'm assuming that means the same spot on the tire is being skidded on? What causes that? Is there something about running an odd toothed cog that makes that not an issue. I'm currently running a 40x15. Havent really had a chance to toy with other gearing options, as this seems to work well, and I dont have extra gears to try.
And junioroverlord, you happen to have been riding the miracle mile on saturday night with a few other fixies?

Hrmmm...I..don't think so. Saturday I was cruising around Olvera st and Chinatown.

i run 45x16 and its a great gear for hills and flats but i do ride it with a brake. as soon as i get my 17t cog in, i will be running 45x17 brakeless on the track bike and 43x16 with a front brake on the road conversion.
its fun to be able to run much faster (with a higher gear ratio) but in the end id prefer to spin at a higher cadence and have a more controlled and balanced riding experience. youre not one with your bike if it can get away from you.

youre not one with your bike if it can get away from you.

Isn't that why you're strapped in?

figuratively not literally.

people that ride brakeless in gears too high for them can push it and go real fast quick but they cant stop real fast quick. its all about taking baby steps at first...

Nobody ever gets my jokes. I guess I need more smileys.

Nobody ever gets my jokes. I guess I need more smileys.

Welcome to the club.

Although with me I have a feeling it's just that my jokes aren't that funny.

Im new at fixed gear but I know when Im hooked, and oh man am I hooked. The bike came with 18x48. Is that gear too high to be ok for street ridding? Some here say its why I hurt myself, but I think its cause I tend to try to do too much too soon. Do others use gearing this high for the street? or should I get something lower? thanks......
I too am a newbie and I'm using 39x15 (with 27" tires, so basically the same gain ratio). My quads have been unusually sore for the past week but I think I'm getting into it now. I have to go up a few steep hills on my ride home, maybe 5% grade for 20-50 feet vertical change. I think it's a pretty ideal gear for flat ground. I can go fast on a flat road without feeling like I'm spinning out or pushing too hard.

50 feet at 5% is a hill? Ha!

50 feet at 5% is a hill? Ha!
Okay, I really don't know what 5% is :P It might be more... it's steep enough that my body weight is just barely enough to turn the pedals if I have momentum.

Sounds more than 5%. 1% is 1 foot of elevation for 100 feet traveled.

Nobody ever gets my jokes. I guess I need more smileys.

Made me laugh :D

5% grade means that the change in height of the slope is 5% of the base.

I've been pushing 52x18 ever since I started riding fixed about a year and some months ago. Yeah it does take me a little bit to get up to speed but once I'm there I usually blow past most everyone else in a not always so safe manner. I don't have a front brake so I just time my braking more so by an extra 30 feet or so, especially if I'm getting close to a busy intersection. I've had too many close calls playing chicken to not overcompensate my stopping distance. Getting hit at speed is a very scary reality I hope to never witness. :eek: :eek: