Originally posted by fubar5
Whats up riderx? Long time no see!!!
I've got a 39/16 on my commuter SS. I also ride it off road, but the 36/19 is a little tough for that. Even on teh road, I'm not spinning as fast as I'd like to. I may go for a 39/18 and see how that works. Whatever ratio I use, I have to keep it 2:1 plus an odd number. Like right now it's 2:1 plus 7, with 39/18 it would be 2:1 plus 3. Having and odd number seems to keep the chain tension right with out having to go to a tensioner.
Fubar - Glad to see you got bitten by the SS bug. I've been busy lately and just haven't had the time to post like I used to.
A few people have told me the "rule of 4" works good for gearing changes once you find a cog/chainring combo that works. Add the number of Cog and chainring teeth togther - in your case 39+16=55. Add or subtract 4 teeth from this total or multiples of 4 and you should have a usable gear. If you try it, let me know if it works.