What Gear Ratio Are you Using?
10-24-05 | 06:39 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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42/15 which I got used to (~74"), though it seemed too big at first after 53x20 (~70). Nothing you could call hilly, except that you get used to everything east of downtown being on a gentle slope.
Gonna go down for the winter, but not sure to what yet with a 42 t or 52 t ring.
Gonna go down for the winter, but not sure to what yet with a 42 t or 52 t ring.
10-24-05 | 06:50 AM
#28
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
42x16 since it got windy and I started bundling up a lot more.
42X13 will be my tow path or fair weather gearing.
That being said ... I am learning to spin.
42X13 will be my tow path or fair weather gearing.
That being said ... I am learning to spin.
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10-24-05 | 06:56 AM
#29
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
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From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
48x16, on the primary commuter, will drop to 44 or 46x16 for winter. Super-flat.
42x15 on the alternate that is still under construction.
42x15 on the alternate that is still under construction.
10-24-05 | 07:11 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
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From: Williston, VT
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike
You know I run 42x16 for the hills which are a regular part of my daily commute, but it works quite well for the flats. Spinning is GOOD!
10-24-05 | 07:38 AM
#33
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
I had a nightmare about going downhill at 36 miles per hour on 42x16 ....
Oh crap! It was not a nightmare!!
Oh crap! It was not a nightmare!!
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10-24-05 | 07:42 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,663
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From: baltimore
Bikes: Pake Track; Bianchi XL EV2 El Reparto Corse, Kona Jake the Snake
44x16 is my sweet spot
10-24-05 | 07:45 AM
#35
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 141
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 06' Giant Rincon, Vintage Marfiled Admiral Road Bike (SS Conversion), Bianchi Campione Del Mondo
Originally Posted by Hslater
The highest cadence I think I've hit is around 170, which in 53x18 is 39.5 mph. between 140 and 150 is where I don't have very much control anymore and is as fast as I've gotten on flat ground - in a 53x18 is between 32.5 and 35 mph.
Are you in the East Bay, by the way?
Are you in the East Bay, by the way?
I live in the South Bay....but I've been on those Fire Trails up the hills going to the Space Science Center in Berkeley.
10-24-05 | 07:46 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 36
From: Williston, VT
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike
Originally Posted by huhenio
I had a nightmare about going downhill at 36 miles per hour on 42x16 ....
Oh crap! It was not a nightmare!!
Oh crap! It was not a nightmare!!
10-24-05 | 08:31 AM
#38
perspective distorts
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: 25th and Girard
53x17. mainly b/c the two guys i ride with most have 52 tooth rings, and the penchant for riding fast as shiit always. i really like how easy maintaining a decent speed on it is, and fairmount is hilly. when i was riding 44x16 it seemed like way too much work (read: spinning) to go anywhere.
10-24-05 | 08:35 AM
#39
MADE IN TAIWAN
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 0
From: SF
Bikes: Tarmac, Humble, Makino, Schwinn
46x14 on the commuter. It's a suicide till I have money to get new wheels. I've been forced to put a brake on the IRO commuter cuz it's too big of a gear for me to stop effectively. I really hate this gear... takes forever to get started and hills are a *****.
49x16 on the 3rensho, gotta buy a 52 ring for the track.
49x16 on the 3rensho, gotta buy a 52 ring for the track.
10-24-05 | 08:51 AM
#40
********
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Bikes: vintage schwinn speedster, Soma Rush, Centurion Accordo fixie convertion, lotus eclair conversion, univega sport tandem
43x16 beater, 48x17 trackie... when i get some money ill run 49x17. faster, faster, faster!
10-24-05 | 09:02 AM
#41
switching to guns
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,968
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From: kings county, nyc
Bikes: allez fuji tracku nishiki TT GT KHS arrow Miner 29'er CIOCC Corsair and now a f*cking awesome waterford skeet velo
46x14. Upgraded last week to build up the legs a little. New territory, highest gear used yet — feels good so far.
10-24-05 | 09:17 AM
#42
hang up your boots
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,574
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From: San Francisco
Bikes: 84 Pinarello, Trek Liquid 30, Torker CX 24, Gromada Track
47x16
10-24-05 | 10:12 AM
#48
information sponge
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 692
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From: Little Village, Chicago, IL
Bikes: Lots. Mostly steel. Mostly heavy. Mostly geared, and very low, at that.
45x17 for me. I spin lots. On my mountain bike I basically never leave the middle ring.
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Philosophy and feelings don't change the laws of physics
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10-24-05 | 10:25 AM
#50
i chew straws
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: sf
Bikes: scattante road bike, raleigh rush hour, khs flite, schwinn stingray
Originally Posted by Hslater
Marin is a no go in this gear. But I can do Spruce and Euclid and all that to get to the same place. Not quite as many man-points I guess. Have you tried going down Marin, freewhell or fixed? Like a rollercoaster. Frightening.