what's your commuting gear ratio?
07-10-07, 09:58 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 2,968
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
what's your commuting gear ratio?
what's your favorite gear? I'm just interested after turning my old Univega into a SS. I'm running 42-18 and thinking of changing to 42-20... or even 22. I like spinning! Tempe has no hills so that's not a consideration.
__________________
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
07-10-07, 10:13 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
When I convert my Stumpjumper, I'm likely going with a 46-18 combo. Right now I spend most of my time hopping between the 17 and 19 cogs, with the front staying mostly on the 46 ring. That gives me a comfortable spin cadence at 14.5-16.5mph (46-19) and 16.5-19mph (46-17).
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
07-10-07, 10:27 AM
#3
Senior Member
39:17 (62") is my ratio, close to your 42:18. I love it: it's great for stop and go in traffic and the short hills in here. Avg speed is 22 kph @ 73 rpm.
After a year at 39:15 (70") I'm really happy I changed. No difference in avg speed but cadence went up 15%.
But gearing is about preference. Try that 42:22 and let us know! I love spinning as well. If you say its flat I would think its a bit low: at 42x22 your speed at 90rpm is around 22kph.
After a year at 39:15 (70") I'm really happy I changed. No difference in avg speed but cadence went up 15%.
But gearing is about preference. Try that 42:22 and let us know! I love spinning as well. If you say its flat I would think its a bit low: at 42x22 your speed at 90rpm is around 22kph.
07-10-07, 10:42 AM
#5
Cat None
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,508
Bikes: LOOK KG 461, LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er 0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My commute is all hills, up and down both ways. I'm constantly going up and down the cassette and switching between the large and small chainring.
07-10-07, 10:46 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,953
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I run 52:19 on most of my commute although its starting to feel like I'm spinning too much with that ratio. I'm starting to gradually use 52:17 now on the flats but its going to get a lot of getting used to.
07-10-07, 10:47 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
43 x 15 (75 g.i.). I'd had it set up with 42 x 16 (69 g.i.) which was great for in town, but a bit low for the open road. With the nicer weather and a chance to take some long rural detours on the way to work, I went with the higher gear. I'll probably go back down again when it starts raining again.
07-10-07, 10:50 AM
#8
But I'm saving $ on gas!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Dayton, OH - USA
Posts: 202
Bikes: LeMond Victoire (pure fun), Trek 1200 (commuter), Trek 930 MTB (winter commuter)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I’m a 46/18 (69”) SS. I like to spin 85-95+ and that gives me my 18-20 mph (my goal)
07-10-07, 10:53 AM
#10
ride for a change
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,221
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Summer - on 25mm slicks - 42/16
Winter - on 35mm Nokian studs - 39/17
Pretty flat around here, wind is my only nemesis. This is SS not fixed.
Winter - on 35mm Nokian studs - 39/17
Pretty flat around here, wind is my only nemesis. This is SS not fixed.
07-10-07, 12:55 PM
#11
always rides with luggage
Looking at this thread, I might be odd for running my SS at 36x14 (66"). But then, mine is a 26" an not a 700c.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
07-10-07, 01:00 PM
#12
******
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 949
Bikes: Specalized Tri-Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My primary gear is 48/18
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
07-10-07, 01:11 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 909
Bikes: Kona Jake (2006)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hoping to add an SS beater bike to the stable in the coming months, and I often do my commute in a single gear, in "training" so to speak. Last time I did so was last night and this morning, and I was running 52x19. I think my SS will be set up something like 42x16 or so.
07-10-07, 02:11 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Absecon, NJ
Posts: 2,947
Bikes: Puch Luzern, Puch Mistral SLE, Bianchi Pista, Motobecane Grand Touring, Austro-Daimler Ultima, Legnano, Raleigh MountainTour, Cannondale SM600
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
50x16
07-10-07, 02:38 PM
#19
Senior Membre
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Rennes, France
Posts: 266
Bikes: '87 Cannondale Team Comp, 98 Cannondale F900, 08 Bike Friday Tikit
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am spinning away currently on the small ring at the moment 42x15(16) mostly. With age, I don't seem to have the energy to chomp at the big ring. Some weeks I have it, and some I don't. Some weeks I have a little help from the wind, and then I can get some sweet 53x13 action.
07-10-07, 03:18 PM
#22
steel lover
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,316
Bikes: Bianchi Alloro, Miyata 710, Fuji Espree Fixie convert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
On my Roadie 42/17 is the gear I am in most commonly. On my Fixed gear bike, it's a 44/17. Probably gonna drop it to 41/17.
07-10-07, 03:51 PM
#23
staring at the mountains
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times
in
112 Posts
48x18 on the fixed, though the route from the girlfriend's house is hilly enough that I haven't ridden it fixed (yet?)....
07-10-07, 04:25 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 654
Bikes: vintage Raleigh
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rando
what's your favorite gear? I'm just interested after turning my old Univega into a SS. I'm running 42-18 and thinking of changing to 42-20... or even 22. I like spinning! Tempe has no hills so that's not a consideration.