Thanks a lot everyone for the helpful replies!
Originally Posted by
jtgotsjets
Also, FWIW, skid patches is kind of a silly way to choose your gear ratio. You should go with whatever is most practical for the kind of riding you'll be doing. I suppose if the majority of your riding is spent showing off your skidding skills to the ladies downtown, then go for 17 skid patches, but nine times out of ten, you should pick the ratio that is best for your style of riding (not stopping). If that results in too few skid patches, just take your wheel off every once in awhile and rotate it a few teeth forward. Am I the only person that flops their hub from time to time?
Hahaha. I'm definitely not a hipster or trying to be one like that. I don't plan on doing skid tricks or anything like that either. I am just really broke and I cant afford to be replacing a rear tire a lot so the more skid patches the better.
Could anyone with knowledge of Portland, Oregon, tell me if a 46/17 would be good or bad gear wise? I only have a few hills on my commute and they aren't too steep.
Originally Posted by
grymg
I would suggest changing the rear cog to 17 like you said, and get a better lockring and a lockring tool (or tighten at your LBS). The stock lockring will strip.
Then get decent leather doublestraps or get a front brake. It's tough to brake with the stock nylon single straps.
I definitely agree. I plan on using the stock straps for the first few weeks while I can get more money, then I was thinking about buying some powergrips (I've never tried them before, but they seem like a good idea.)
Originally Posted by
Flash_BeeZy
Please don't skimp out on cheap cog and lockring...those are the diff bettween life and death..your prob thinking getting the cheapest cog and lock ring replacement which are stamped and cheap..which will result in stripping ect. Also have it installed professionally by your lbs and make sire they grease all the threads and torqe them properly. on a budget go Dura ace or eai ect
You make a very good point. I just scanned the internet to find some base prices. What do you think would be a good price for a good rear cog and lockring on a tight budget? Also I have a friend who has tons of bikes that he builds and he can help me out with everything since he knows what he's doing so I don't need to go into my lbs to get anything installed.
Again, Thank you everyone for your help.