Gearing help
06-28-06, 09:12 PM
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Gearing help
Hey All -
I let a friend of mine try my fixie, and he's excited about trying fixed gear riding. What would be a good gear setup? My fixie is a 42t chainring with a 16t cog, which is good for me (average shape, almost not hills). He's a big guy, out of shape and probably would avoid hills. Any suggestions?
I let a friend of mine try my fixie, and he's excited about trying fixed gear riding. What would be a good gear setup? My fixie is a 42t chainring with a 16t cog, which is good for me (average shape, almost not hills). He's a big guy, out of shape and probably would avoid hills. Any suggestions?
06-29-06, 06:41 AM
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Same gearing. That will get him into shape.
06-29-06, 08:04 AM
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I would say that a slightly smaller gear like a 42 x 19 would help him to spin more and the weight would come off faster. Then he can move up later.
06-29-06, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by lymbzero
42 x 16 or 42x18
Honestly, just give him any normal-sounding gear, and if he *****es, change it. Easy.
06-29-06, 04:01 PM
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Thanks for the advice. I was thinking about starting him off on something he can spin, and then maybe swap out cogs later on.
06-29-06, 04:05 PM
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For an out of shape beginner, he would be better off with a gear ratio in the 60's ...
Gear Inches:
42x16 = 70.8
42x17 = 66.7
42x18 = 63
I say, start with the 63, then after a month or so, set him up with the next one up and then so on ... =)
Gear Inches:
42x16 = 70.8
42x17 = 66.7
42x18 = 63
I say, start with the 63, then after a month or so, set him up with the next one up and then so on ... =)
06-29-06, 04:39 PM
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don't pedal backwards...
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06-29-06, 05:18 PM
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42 X 17
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
... but definitely NOT 42 x 17.
OK - why NOT??
06-29-06, 05:39 PM
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don't pedal backwards...
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Originally Posted by rogaine
OK - why NOT??
For the record, I tried 42/17 one time and thought it was reeeeeeally spinny for my taste when going down even the slightest incline. Some people like that I guess. 42/17 is about 66 gear inches. I ride 74 gear inches (48/17) and it is generally perfect. Sometimes I wish I had a couple fewer inches, like 72 or 70, but that is usually only when I have the panniers on and full of groceries or am doing long ascents or something.
