Bike Forums - Do you gear down in the winter?

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- - Do you gear down in the winter? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/463425-do-you-gear-down-winter.html)

Sorry dude, that's not winter. Save your $42 - just stay on the road bike.

With that said, I do gear down to combat studded tire drag, cold dense air, and the extra clothing layers. 42-16 for 3 seasons. 39-17 for winter with studs, 39-16 winter with slicks, it's a surly cross check.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirohsima (Post 7448978)

What is comical in my situation is that a new front chainring costs less than a new rear cog:rolleyes: Even if I have to buy a new chain, a KMC or SRAM Chain + a new Salsa Ring still costs less than a new King Cog. My own fault.

Thanks for your help Sixty Fiver. PS. 75 gear inches must be a pain in the rear when starting from a dead stop or climbing overpasses. You are a stronger rider than I.

I'm used to it... my road bike runs 77 gear inches and my path racer (ss) runs 81.

My fixed touring / commuting bikes run a 59/65 and a 65/72 while the fixed folder (used for commuting) runs 64 and 69.

If the weather turns evil I can always ride a bike with lower gearing or more gears and will have a geared winter bike as a backuo to he new fixed gear which will be getting a flip flop hub so I can run two fixed gearings.

Running a single speed or fixie in winter would be nuts IMO. My winter commute tends to have stronger and more variable winds than in summer. This really calls for gears.

Most critically - snow. I normally (in summer) run about 18 mph average. When I swap on the studs this drops to 12-14 mph. In 2 inches of snow? 8 mph. That's right, 2 inches of snow cuts my speed in half. I don't know how anyone can cover 8 mph to 14 mph with a single gear range and not damage their knees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoB (Post 7450914)

My new gears... 48 and 16 for 74 gear inches, which I will probably lower when I build the new rear wheel.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/numberfive3.JPG

This appears to have been spoken by someone who has never ridden a fixed gear in the winter...

I have ridden fixed for two winters, used a 3 speed last winter with my fixed gear, and rode ss and geared bikes before that... and I know what winter is.

By far, the fixed gear has been the superior machine as it allows one to have incredible control, is very efficient, and has lower upkeep.

The wind always blows here, we get snow a plenty, and my knees have never been better.

I rode my fixed touring bike / commuter 82 miles last Sunday and a good portion of the ride was not pretty.

Still have a Dos Eno ina 16/18 or 17/19?

If so, please shoot me an e-mail @ photosound@comcast.net and what your ABSOLUTE bottom $ would be for it? Thanks much and happy spinning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chugabrewski (Post 8391787)

If so, please shoot me an e-mail @ photosound@comcast.net and what your ABSOLUTE bottom $ would be for it? Thanks much and happy spinning.

Huh? Congrats on bumping a 5 month old thread..... what exactly are you trying to buy? Was I selling something?