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'm mostly a road cyclist and have been riding a converted road ss for about ten years for commuting, errands, etc. First, I'm glad to see others doing this - although I just got a fixie too, It seems like no one rides road ss bikes around here
I'd say stick your 39 on the front and buy a range of BMX cogs (15, 16, 17 or something like that - this would probably necessitate a shimano freehub body, but it might be worth converting if you have campy because cogs from a cassette make loosing your chain very easy even with good tension) - they are cheap - and a spacer kit or conversion kit form some place like Rennen Design (they have a really nice two piece spacer that telescopes to allow an exact chainline adjustment) to convert your freehub body - and try your best guess first and just change sprockets as you get a better idea - did this about ten years ago and it worked itself out pretty fast. (seems like lots of people end up around 70 inches in a wide range of terrain, which would put you at about 39 x 15). Some will say that BMX cogs damage your freehub body, but I have been beating the hell out of mine for years with no problems.