Alright so here's a challenge. I plan on climbing up to the Griffith Observatory (here in LA) on a fixie. For those of you who live in LA you know how big of a challenge this is.

Setup:
Fixed/Fixed Flip Flop hub: 13T on side 23T other side.
Two chain rings: 33/42 (plan to switch them)

My plan:
I'll be riding from Highland Park to the bottom of the hill on a 33T Chain Ring and a 13T Cog in the back. This gives me 68.5 Gear Inches, which is fine.

Once at the bottom of the hill I'll flip the wheel around and add a couple of links to my SRAM PC-58 chain. (I'll be carrying a tool, shouldn't take more than a minute). At this point I'll 33T in front and 23T in the back. This will give me 38.7 Gear Inches, which I think might actualy be a little low for the climb.

Once at the top I'll turn the wheel back around and switch the Chain Rings around and adjust the chain. I'll then have 42T in front and 13T in the back, this would give me 87.2 Gear Inches. I think that's high enough to go back down the hill without letting the pedals get ahead of me.

I plan on getting the cogs and chain rings from sheldon's site or if i can get them cheaper on ebay ill try for that.

Has anyone else attempted to do something similar to this? Is there anything I might have done wrong in my planning, I don't want this to go wrong. Is anyone who's familiar with this climb know what the distance up is? I need all the help I can get. Also I'll be doing this climb with friends who are on geared bikes. Is there anything about my setup I should change? HELP!?

Here are the cogs and chain ring I plan on getting from sheldon:

33T Chain Ring

the chain ring has ramps and shift-assisting pins but i figure with a proper chain line it should be fine

Dura Ace 13T Cog

Soma 23T Cog

without that soma 23T cog this all wouldn't be possible. I love how tuff it looks.

Any help will be appreciated

42x13 and 33x23 should be able to use the same chain length. skip the 33x13

also, you could use a double in front and washers on the rear hub to line up one ring with one cog and the other ring with the other cog so that all you'd have to do would be to flip the wheel.

oh, and there's very little chance you'll keep up to your road riding buddies on the descent, unless they're coasting, feathering the brake, and/or not at all tucked.

man, you should just carry a nice selection of 8 or so cogs in your jersey pocket and a wrench, and then stop as needed when the terrain changes and swap out the best one. It would take practically no time at all and you'd have a sweet set of gear ratios to match any terrain!

that'd be almost as good as having a rear derailler . . .

I regularly ride my Steamroller geared at 46/18 to the top. There's really no need to flip your wheel, it's not a long or steep climb. 69 inches is plenty low enough to take you to the top. The observatory itself is still closed due to renovations but the road to the top remains open. Avoid weekends due to tourist traffic near the top. Have fun....keep your bike simple and leave your chaintool, extra chainring and cog at home...

I agree with the Fixer on this one. There shouldn't be a real need to swap out anything on your way up there. I ride 41x14 and I can make it up there no problem.

The real issue here is, how do you ride fixed in Highland Park and I not know who you are? I used to live there like six months ago and could have sworm me and my roomate were the only fixed riders in the area. Wierd.

yes.. i second juniors second.. youre way overthiking this one.. its cake.. one of my favorite rides in l.a. is to bike riverside into the park.. and keep going until the train museum.. then staying in the park past forest lawn..up the hill to the top and turnning onto the closd road... ride that to the top behind the hollywood sign and if you go down straight youll end up at the observatory..no need for all the gear fussin.

Man...that's my exact route to the teeth...

GET A ROAD BIKE. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OWN MORE THAN ONE BIKE. FIXED GEAR LOVE IS NOT A MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION (at least not to me).There just gets to be a point where it gets ridiculous.

I ride up Lake Avenue in Pasadena on a 49 x 16 without too much trouble - and then up and down the hills and across to the Rose Bowl - Griffith Park shouldn't be too bad depending on which road you ride.

Hijack (sorry) - Now that I am back on the saddle (had a bad spill a few months back and have been too busy helping with my wedding and soon-to-be-wife's new business - never do this two things at the same time) - I will have some more time to get around in addition to my 3 mile r.t. ride to work and occasional ride.

I know a few other riders who have just moved into the area who are also looking to meet up with others. I will not be available until early October, but maybe a meet up at Lucky Baldwin's or other such fine establishment and then head out.

One day of climbing, or one climb and descent is unlikely to need much "manual transmission"
If you do all the flipping, flopping, and changing of chainrings, i would be interested to hear about your experience.
Since i am planning this insane ride across the U.S., fixed (Big Fix 2006) We will likely employ similar strategies in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Utah. www.fixhistio.org
But i agree that for one day, or one climb, pick your ratio, stick with it.
A bunch of us here in Nocal paln to ride a flattish century--4K ft of climbing, 3 longer climbs, and most of of will use 72-85 gear inches.
Have fun, spinning is winning, live fixed or die!

That's half my commute! Whats with all you fixies in Pasadena coming out of the wood works??? I'd so be down for a bike get together. I work at Polytechnic School and live up near Altadena myself. I'm trying to organize a Saturday morning Dim Sim ride into China Town. We should make it happen.

I am game. I live in El Sereno though.

there is no real change in terrain going up there, just getting there from my starting location, which i don't have to worry about. thanx

what no way! i didn't think there were any fixie riders in highland park! everytime i ride there i feel so special for being on the only fixie. I actualy live in south central los angeles. the ghetto is great for fixed riding, there aren't hills for miles, and you don't have to worry about getting your ride stolen cause everyone here rides bmx, cruisers, and mountain bikes. they think of my bike as one of those "old ugly ten speeds" haha. i ventrure over to highland park to ride with friends in the area

i have a geared bike, and 80's lotus, and ive already done this route on gears, too easy, no challenge

yeah i know it's still closed but it's still nice going up there. if you say 69 is good enough, then ill do it! it doesn't hurt to try. i will be carrying a 17T cog on my flip side though, just in case im not as tuff as i imagine i am hehe thanx for all the help everyone.

REGARDS

UP THE BIKE PUNX!

I was out for a pleasure ride today and ended riding up to the conservatory. Yes the conservatory is still closed. Funny thing is I went back and read this thread and realized that I did the exact route sloppy robot talked about but in reverse. I went up Vermont to the conseratory, then back down just a little bit until the road closed sign and then kept climbing. I then stayed left and went down the hill to a train station park something or other. Followed the road all the way around the park to Riverside and then rode back to Redondo Beach. I'm not a huge fan of going down hills on my fixed gear, but today it was really fun. Can you say CLOSED COURSE?? All you had to do is look out for debris the rains brought and other bikers and hikes going up. What a blast with all the switch backs. I'm curious to see where the other road goes to. Btw, 44x16. Don't over think it, just ride. Take a break if you have to. Luckily I was able to find some street vendors on the way back for water....I couldn't find any open spickets in the park.

btw, sloppy robot it was good to meet you again on Friday night

If you're looking for a hill to climb, try Fargo......30+ percent grade. In fact there's a ride next Saturday for it. I'll start a new thread.

Mark, that ____ was like three months ago, I Love It. Hill climbs this week. And who is this Sloppy Robot kid, I called him once he never called me back he doesnt really exist, it is shants.

He exists. I've seen em with me own two eyes. But then again when's the last time you saw me. I might be shants.

I'll see you Sun.

38.7 gear inches... better too low than too high.

sloppy is retired.. just steven now.. didnt i meet you on friday.. drunk at the taco truck? sorry i didnt call back.. im good at that.

You have Ciocc, if so we met. And dont worry about not callin, it happens. We should ride sometime.

Yeah...you never call me...bish...oh and the number you gave me...is wrong. So take that.