Originally Posted by TomThumb
I'm building up a single speed with a steel colnago master light.
I have never ridden a single speed or a fixie and would like some gearing advice.
I have a campy crankset 53/39 and was either going to:
A) use the 39 in the front or
B) go to a 42 in the front.
My concern is gearing in the back. What would be recommended for rolling to hilly roads of upstate NY.
I was thinking 39/17. It would be hard on steep climbs but manageable on the long sustained climbs of 5-7%. I climb OK and want to use it to make me stronger. 5'9'' 155lbs.
I have a set of Mavic OP that I would like to convert to a singlespeed. Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I see this sort of question asked a lot, around here. Most of the time, the one who asks, isn't aware of one of the most important factors in deciding the gear ratio for their FG/SS: their
cadence. So, what is your cadence on flat road, no wind?
Another factor often forgotten is wheelsize. Obviously, with a smaller wheel+tire, the gear inch number will be lesser, than with a larger wheel+tire.
So if a gearing is OK for 26" with thin tires, it's not going to work quite the same for 29ers.
That's why gear inches, which take into consideration the wheel diameter as well, is a more useful figure.
For the record, I am a wuss and hence ride around 60 gear inches (it's slightly less, even). But, if I need to go fast, I can rely on a cadence of about 110 rpm.