Single speed cross race gearing
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Ketchum Id.
Posts: 348
Bikes: Scott CR1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Single speed cross race gearing
I am building a single speed cross bike to race. Flat courses with tight corners. I am cat 3 roadie that is more spinner than masher. I have a 39 front but can go to a 42. I am thinking 39-17 but am looking for advice on where to start but of course until the snow melts I cannot start experimenting. Thanks
#5
worst luck ever
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: philadelphia
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
on your left!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 66
Bikes: n+1 where n= # of current bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
42/20 here too, unless the course is really hilly or muddy, then its 38/20
Last edited by rsdmag; 03-12-08 at 10:11 AM.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 53
Bikes: Redline d660, '85 Schwinn Peloton full new ultegra, IRO robroy ss cross bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i was thinking the same thing about 2:1. i'm thinking about switching gearing as well. i have a white ind double double and its 35:19 and 38:16. lower is 1.875:1 and upper is 2.375:1. the lower is great for mountain biking but sometimes it does seem a tad slow and obviously upper for road(its my high end do all bike). i'm just going to do a few races on the new steed and see how i do. i really wouldn't be surprised if i want to switch to 2:1 for just cross racing.
#9
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i race in the mabra district last year with a 42x18 and 42x17. I am more of a masher and I rarely felt this gearing was too big.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 1,654
Bikes: SS Surly Crosscheck; '91 Cannondale 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lithuania, your legs must be made of steel!
I ride 42x17 on my hilly-land commuter and I'm about 19-20mph at 90rpms. If I get much lower in RPMs my knees start screaming!
On 'cross I like a 38x19, but I think 40x20 would work, too.
I ride 42x17 on my hilly-land commuter and I'm about 19-20mph at 90rpms. If I get much lower in RPMs my knees start screaming!
On 'cross I like a 38x19, but I think 40x20 would work, too.
#11
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ha i dont think so. Its probably just a lot flatter out here. Once may cadence gets above like 110 my legs start to burn off.
When I am doing fixed gear training I use a 39x16
When I am doing fixed gear training I use a 39x16
#12
antisocialite
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,385
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
yeah, i've been running 42 20 as well and did several races with lithuania. on the same courses i never felt like i spun out, although for some steep downhills i would just coast. i do feel like i'm more of a spinner, if i'm anything.
i think we split the season, or he won the series by a race or two.
i think we split the season, or he won the series by a race or two.
#14
antisocialite
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,385
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
psh, i think they got my results right for a grand total of one race.
and yeah, when you were on your game i was way behind. i think the winner was usually decided based on severity of hangover.
and yeah, when you were on your game i was way behind. i think the winner was usually decided based on severity of hangover.
#16
antisocialite
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,385
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
still haven't decided. i'm not sure if there are going to be any restrictions on 3's on the c race or 4's in the b race, so i'll decide when i figure that out.
i think even with a season under my belt, and a bunch of hypothetical training that i'll be doing when the weather gets nicer i'd still be fighting to crack the top ten in c races. even with my fancy new gears.
i think even with a season under my belt, and a bunch of hypothetical training that i'll be doing when the weather gets nicer i'd still be fighting to crack the top ten in c races. even with my fancy new gears.
#17
+++++++++++++++
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 349
Bikes: 2 Felt F1X's, Surly Steamroller Fixed / Free, 2007 IF Crown Jewel, 2007 IF Planet X Singlespeed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
race 39:17. love it!