zzzzz

Mine is 48 x 16 and it is difficult to ride. My bike is rear suspended with 20 * 1.75 tires and is chinese made. Are bikes at that ratio hard to ride or is it that I'm not too used to it. I have never ridden folders and my MTBs do not seem to hard and slow.

special_k

I used to ride 52-16. You can check your gear here https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/. Most people find somewhere in the high 60s to mid 70s to be just about right for everyday city commuting. That, of course, depends on the terrain you are riding in and your fitness level.

zzzzz

the place that I am commuting is relatively flat. I think it must be my fitness level. I inflated to recommended 350 kpa and thats about 50psi. Are folders more sluggish than MTBs? thanks for the website, mine is 56

law4jba

I've ridden 54x 13 or 14 on my swift.

When the original 54 T chain ring wore out I replaced it with a 50T surly stainless ring.

50x13 is around 72 inches with marathon 406x40 rubber.

Azreal911

56 should give you a pretty easy ride with some quick spinning. my bike is at that gear inches also and i'm able to pass the big bikers going to work cause of my cadence. Be careful of increasing your gear inches too high and too early if you are not fit enough for it because in the 70's you'll be pushing it alot harder instead of the easy high rpm spin. my 56 inches is ok because I have moderate hill climbs and many times end up riding against the wind.

Geekybiker

On the flats I most liked in the 80's. 70's GI just was too fast for me. Depends if you stomp or spin I guess.

stevegor

58t x 14t

Good for spinning at 30+ kmph, spin out at 40+ kmph on the flat

Hills require a different strategy

zzzzz

This is a picture of the bike i bought for about $31 US new in china, I changed the brake to servo and the braking is excellent but my fitness level is low. it came with a chain guard and mounts which I removed. I added a rear rack seat.

rhenning

On my Bike friday Pocket Rocket low gear is 46 to 28 and high gear is 60 to 11. Roger

GeorgePaul

No.