sinikl

I'm out of shape (getting back, tho) and riding my 2012 Kilo TT with the stock gearing, 44x16. This post is not about gear inch charts -- found those, no prob there -- but "feel" of riding different gearings. FYI i'm 6'1 and 270, down from 280 a few wks ago, so believe me when i say i'm out of shape. Without the bike i'd be 100 percent sedentary (IT job, yadda).

Debating about going up to a 44x17 or 18 for the following reasons...

PRO (go to a 17 cog):
-When i'm tired, which i frequently am, commuting daily and trying to get a night ride in (see: legs out of shape), i can't really get into the cadence i want without killing myself to get there and stay there. And we are not talking about major hills, either. When I do, i am moving pretty well (>20 mph) but can't sustain it for more than 2-3 miles.
-Would make braking/skidding easier (I run a brake and use it, but i am trying to slow myself with resistance pedalling, skipping or skidding whenever possible to build up my legs)
-On the rare occasions where my legs feel good, i really like being on a faster cadence. I just can only do that a few times/wk currently (skip a day commuting, etc).
-I would like to ride farther without cashing my legs as early. I did a loop 2x tonight and found that i was MUCH weaker on the second trip, and i can't help myself from trying to ride fast/hard/on the cadence i want on the first leg of the loop... and then i'm draggin on the second trip.

CON:
-Taller gear ratio -- smaller cog (relatively speaking) -- is making my legs demonstrably stronger faster (could not skip or skid when i got the thing, now can. Can climb hills that used to require me to stand, now climbing seated). "Just be patient and you'll get there," in other words.
-If i do stand up, i don't feel the need to sit as soon as i probably would with a smaller cog. I find myself kind of trapped between standing up and sitting... if i stand and sprint my legs are spent when i try to spin seated. This may just be i'm out of shape. Well hell, it all is, but i'm sayin.. . I hate being out of the saddle on this thing because i feel like my legs are done in 15 sec.
-If i downgear (upsize cog) i will be limiting my speed on the flat.

What say you guys?

hairnet

Cant hurt to try the 17.

I dont really like going over 70 gear inches. A long time ago I played with 42/18 and it was too low to really do anything.

Spoonrobot 

You'll most likely be faster on the flats with a one-step lower gearing.

Use larger gearing for shorter/interval-focused rides and racing. Smaller gearing for just riding along. For most humans, riding a fixed gear on the road, 68-72" is the sweet spot. It just works.

carleton

When in doubt, go to the smaller gear ratio. It would be easier to start and stop and easier on the legs.

Yeah, you'll be slightly slower. But that's OK.

caloso

That's my answer too.

sinikl

i'm ok with slower. i feel as fast as my legs go round, if you get me... slow cadence feels slow to me. trying to use this fixed gear to break 60 or less rpm habits i learned on MTBs.

BigglyPuff

I ain't even bother reading all that. If you're thinking about gearing down, you probably should try it if you can afford it.

Do us all a favor and give us a cliff notes version at the beginning or end or something.

jdgesus 

i did 48/49 - 17 most of 2012 (hoping to get faster/stronger)
im going back to 48-19 as soon as my new fork is done.

ThermionicScott 

I like this range, too. Easy to get going from a stop, and decent top end.