Originally Posted by boots
I'm thinking of getting a 15-toother to stick on the other side of my IRO hub. I think the ratio will be about right. If I'm not ready for it, I'm not ready for it. I'll work up to it. Plus, 15 skid spots! (Right?)
So here's a three-part question:
1) Is my IRO hub fixed-fixed, or fixed-free. Corollary: what the hell is the difference anyway?
2) I've got 7 milimeters left in my dropouts behind the nuts. Will I be able to use the same chain I'm using now? If not, will there be a way to get a chain that will work for both cogs? (I've only got 3 milimeters in front of the nuts.)
You have to work on cadence to build up strength so spinning can be an asset. You should ride what you feel comfortable and not listen to messengers on mountain bikes.
1) IRO hubs are fixed/free. The difference is that the fixed side has a counter threaded portion for a lock ring. The lock ring is the thing preventing it all from flying apart when you skid/back pedal. Free sides have a large section of threads all in the same direction to take a variety of freewheels and don't take lock rings; unless you like suicide hubs with loctited bottom bracket rings but its really for peeps trying to take themselves out of the gene pool IMHO.
2) I run an 18 on the street and 15 on the track and have no problems. The 15 leaves my wheel very near the end of the dropouts. Someone had a formula for working out distance moved for each drop in cog teeth count. Should turn up via the magic search button.
3) Don't know. But EAI cogs are the buisness and well worth the money.