I've been riding a fixed gear for a little over a month now and am on my 2nd gearing choice, 44X16 which works out to 74.3". On yesterdays ride I saw 36mph at full spin. Most of the hills around here can be done in this gear and it works well when in a paceline of freewheelers.BTW I run with BOTH a front and rear brake cuz it don't weigh that much and safety beat out "style" any day. Gerry