Favorite gear
03-22-24 | 01:15 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Wilmette, IL
Yep, thats a 72" gear. I often ride in 52/19 which is right around the same gear. I gear my bikes so I have a 63"/68"/72" gear progression.
On the high end I like 82/88/94".
Back in the day, Ray "the boot" Booty rode an 84" fixed gear, 48x15, to be the first to break 4 hours in a 100 mile time trial.
On the high end I like 82/88/94".
Back in the day, Ray "the boot" Booty rode an 84" fixed gear, 48x15, to be the first to break 4 hours in a 100 mile time trial.
03-22-24 | 03:24 AM
#5
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From: Sacramento
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1 / Cervelo zht
Probably whatever single speed bike use. They have to figure the best compromise since they only have the one gear.
https://steedbikes.com/blogs/news/be...gle-speed-bike
most common gear ratios are 44:16, 46:16 and 44:18.
https://steedbikes.com/blogs/news/be...gle-speed-bike
most common gear ratios are 44:16, 46:16 and 44:18.
03-22-24 | 07:15 AM
#8
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From: Hacienda Hgts
Bikes: 2026 Motobecane Mulekick 520 Steel 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
I live in the hills.
I use them all on my main bike 44-34-24, 12-34.
I use them all on my main bike 44-34-24, 12-34.
03-22-24 | 10:39 AM
#11
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From: Altadena, CA
Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber
53x11 @ 1200+W. Unfortunately, my body can't do that any more, but it was definitely my favorite 20 years ago.
These days, I'll just go with whatever is right for the terrain on riding in that moment. I don't tend to love my lowest gear, on whichever bike I'm on. It usually means things are steep, and I'm suffering.
These days, I'll just go with whatever is right for the terrain on riding in that moment. I don't tend to love my lowest gear, on whichever bike I'm on. It usually means things are steep, and I'm suffering.
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RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Last edited by Eric F; 03-22-24 at 11:12 AM.
03-22-24 | 10:57 AM
#12
climber has-been
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From: Palo Alto, CA
Bikes: Scott Addict RC Pro & R1, Felt Z1
Sort of an oddly phrased question. My preferred gear is grade dependent, wind dependent, "how hard do I feel like working" dependent.
But I'll bite. These are the gears I end up in most of the time:
Preferred gear on 0% grade: 50/17
Preferred gear on +6-7% grade: 34/21
But I'll bite. These are the gears I end up in most of the time:
Preferred gear on 0% grade: 50/17
Preferred gear on +6-7% grade: 34/21
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
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03-22-24 | 11:54 AM
#15
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
53 x 11, because it means I'm going downhill at > 30 mph and I could choose not to pedal at all and still go real fast.
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03-22-24 | 11:56 AM
#16
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From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
I have no idea, I put it in what feels right. Mostly stay in 50 ring up front (50/34 and 11-34)
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
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03-22-24 | 12:07 PM
#18
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23,922
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
I also like the gear that seems to be missing in the middle of the 11 speed 11-34 cassette - you know, the one you'd be spinning at 90-95 instead of either 85 or 105, if it existed?
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
03-22-24 | 12:08 PM
#19
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From: Bastrop Texas
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Rats Larry, ya really want me to admit the gear I am in most of the time. It's embarrassing!
OK...
Non-Indexed Friction Shifters
Crank at 32 Freewheel at 34
or
Crank at 42 Freewheel at 18-21
My little rides are Up and Down. Oddly thats really only three gear combinations... Ha
OK...
Non-Indexed Friction Shifters
Crank at 32 Freewheel at 34
or
Crank at 42 Freewheel at 18-21
My little rides are Up and Down. Oddly thats really only three gear combinations... Ha
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03-22-24 | 02:28 PM
#22
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From: South Shore of Long Island
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
36/17 on the cross, 44/16 when converted to street use, 51/15 on the track bike. If the bike has more than one gear I like all of them and have never worn out a single cog on a cassette due to constant shifting.
03-22-24 | 02:50 PM
#24
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From: Mission Viejo
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
03-22-24 | 03:02 PM
#25
Thread Starter
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Probably whatever single speed bike use. They have to figure the best compromise since they only have the one gear.
https://steedbikes.com/blogs/news/be...gle-speed-bike
most common gear ratios are 44:16, 46:16 and 44:18.
https://steedbikes.com/blogs/news/be...gle-speed-bike
most common gear ratios are 44:16, 46:16 and 44:18.