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Question about chainring

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Question about chainring

Old 04-23-08, 03:28 PM
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Question about chainring

I live in a fairly hilly area and I was wondering if 46/17 is a good chainring/cog ratio for such terrain? Obviously feel/comfort is a factor but I'm more worried about being able to get up hills rather than a high turnover rate (which I prefer actually). Specifically, I'm talking about IRO bikes if that makes a difference weight-wise or component-wise.
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Old 04-23-08, 03:39 PM
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i am running a 48/16 in a fairly flat area and it is hard on my body. i had to deal with a nasty headwind yesterday and i nearly puked...i shaved my head last night after not cutting my hair for a year hoping that will help my aerodynamics. if you have some ugly hills consider a 44 - that is what i a going to try once summer gets here.
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Old 04-23-08, 03:45 PM
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Wish I could.. unfortunately they only come with 46's. Would a 17/18t cog work better?
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Old 04-23-08, 03:48 PM
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46 is a good ring size for the street. As far as recommending a gear ratio, only you can determine that as we have no idea what your fitness level is.
A given gear ratio may be fine for one guy but might not be suitable for another who may not as fit.

That said, about 70 gear inches is a good starting point to determine if you want to go higher or lower.

Last edited by roadfix; 04-23-08 at 04:06 PM.
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Old 04-23-08, 03:55 PM
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Look at Sheldon Brown's gear inch calculator:
https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Search for a few previous threads on the forum regarding gear inches.
You'll see many people who will explain their home area riding terrain and their gear inches.

mine- 45/17 Some hills in my area- lots of long steady grades.
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Old 04-23-08, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by SuperMario5459
I live in a fairly hilly area and I was wondering if 46/17 is a good chainring/cog ratio for such terrain? Obviously feel/comfort is a factor but I'm more worried about being able to get up hills rather than a high turnover rate (which I prefer actually). Specifically, I'm talking about IRO bikes if that makes a difference weight-wise or component-wise.
i've used that exact ratio on one of my bikes. it's perfect for hills. later i went to a 47 chainring, but its basically the same. you'll spin a lot on flats and downhill, but you will climb steep hills very fast.
 
Old 04-23-08, 04:01 PM
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My middle-aged relatively unfit (work and all) bod seems OK with 46/18 on the street. I wouldn't call the hills in my area nasty, but they are there.
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