Originally Posted by DanO220
I'm considering a single speed. But what do you do when you get to a hill and you're riding a 48/16?
Can anyone share their techniques or training for pushing those big gears up that hill?
Do you sit and grind? Stand and pray? Curse and walk? Are singles only for those blessed
with bullet proof knees and thighs the size of beach balls?
DanO
I started off with 80 plus gear inches and over the years have dropped it down into the low 70 range. I have found that your control on braking is better when you run a lower gear inch. The top speed is not that different you just have to spin faster. The only place it makes sense to run 80-90 gear inches is on the track. They don't have hills there, or at least they didn't the last time I rode there. It matters if you are running brakes on the bike. If you aren't then the lower gears will allow you to come to a stop more easily, without any panic situations of being unable to haul that thing down in a short distance. When you climb, you will find it a lot easier than with a larger gear and your knees will thank you.
fixedgearhead