Help me decide my desired rear cog. . .
 

Having a custom fixie built at bike store. Need rear cog size. I am 'partially' in shape - down 70lbs from 340 to 270. I'm getting 28 tires - gator skins.

I'm wanting the fixie experience - it is going to have a flip flop hub.

I usually can keep my 7 speed fuji in 5th gear most of the time without thought. It isn't the hardest - nor is it the easiest (2 gears from the hardest).

The bike store guy recommended an 18 cog on the rear. It will be 46 on the front. For the price, all I can select is my rear cog. I want it to be 'easier' and not crazy hard. We live in an area with rollers (up and down). So help me decide. I understand cogs are cheap and I can have a do over - but I'd like to get it right from the start.

Also - any complaints from anyone using a moustache handlebar on a fixie? Thanks!

17T cog is what I use with a 46T ring......I also live in florida,so its pretty flat.

If that helps at all

46/18 sounds pretty reasonable. If that's what you were recommended I'd go with that.

I'm starting to feel like there should be a sticky in this forum for all the "help me choose a gear ratio" threads. There's no magic formula for choosing a ratio, it's all about personal preference, ability, and what you'll be using the bike for.

This is where I went wrong on one FG conversion. I thought, "since I can ride in this gear most of the time it should be ok, plus I'll be able to go really fast." I geared the bike 52/15 since I only had a 15T cog at the time. Wrong! You need to be able to use that gear all the time because you only have one.

46-18 should be good for you. not too hard, not too easy. i know for a fact that many of the forum members run 46-18.

I have 46/17 on one of my bikes and dig it. Its really only my short trip commuter/beater though. The kind of riding and distance might be a factor that contributes to your decision as well.

With 28c tires, 46/18 would leave you at around 68.4 gear inches, which is a perfect ratio for city with hilly terrian. However, seeing that winter is coming, snow and ice are bound to happen, I think that ratio would be slightly too high for rolling down some icy hills. It's just my opinion though...

After some experimenting, my wife chose 46/18 and loves it. She's a powerhouse too.

Personally, I find it a bit too spinny. My preferred 'around town' ratio is 48/17.

You just had to choose a higher ratio than your wife because otherwise you wouldn't be a man. :lol:

Sorry Scrod, I'm just kidding.

Haha...my lady can outride me any day. She was actually riding 48/15 for a while!

Tell her to try out 52x14.