Originally Posted by
kingston
Related question. I ride on mostly flat terrain in Chicago. With my current gear (66”) I can hold a pace in the high teens on the flat, but I spin out at about 30 mph going down a gentle slope. By the end of the season I work my way up to around 74”, but I have found that my legs like a smaller gear better in the spring since I don't ride nearly as much over the winter.
Our
randonneuring season starts next weekend and I’m considering running the 200 fixed. The rides are in southern Wisconsin where it is much hillier, and it is easy to hit speeds in the high 40’s on descents. If I take my fixed gear should I move up to a taller gear or just be prepared to use the brake downhill?
It is great to see another fixed gear rider doing a brevet. I did the
Cranbury 200k last weekend in a 70" gear and it worked well. (That is me in the stars and stripes.) The
course was slightly flatter having 3k' of climbing vs. 3.5k'. I was the only fixed gear. A bigger issue with the brevet is nutrition. I have learned is I don't eat a big a** breakfast I fade at the end. I finished in 8:44, over an hour faster than last year. Good luck on your ride.
Ride Safe,
Joe