greenbiker

So I've been riding a KHS 52cm fixed in NYC for about 4 years now. It's my baby and I love it, but I'm not so tuned in on the gear ratio thing...I know, I haven't worshiped enough in the church of Sheldon Brown and I'm sure a little research would go a long way.

I'm 35 and don't intend to race any alley cats soon but would like to know more about what might give me more speed and power.

Right now I'm rockin a 42-19...I bought this bike on a whim on a trip to Portland Oregon and asked City Cycles to just hook me up with what ever they thought was best...I've never changed it.

I was thinking, maybe it's time to get a 49 or higher. What are peoples thoughts...I know the gear doesn't make the rider.

Where would I go about getting track parts in NYC?

MLPROJECT

whoa that is the lowest gearing ever. you must either ride slow or spin out like crazy.

there are a slew of threads on NYC shops. i'll go ahead and recommend trackstar near 1st and 1st as they've been great with my experience.

HereNT

I wouldn't make that big of a jump right away. You probably want to put a couple of steps in there. You (presumably) already spin pretty well, up it in 2 or 3 tooth steps {edit=on the front chainring}. A flip flip on the back would also be good. You could say do 42x19 and 42x16, if your dropouts allow it. Still increasing the ratio (the rear is more different than the front, and cheaper) but you can change back as you need. When you find yourself riding on the 16 more than the 19, then move the front ring so that it's more in line with the 42x16 for gear inches when you're on the 19 (46, maybe? I'm to lazy to calculate it). Flip back to the 19, and repeat the process. Then it's just one more step to be where you want to be, I'd think...

I've been flirting with 44, 46 and 48 teeth up front and keeping the 14 or 16 in the back. There are a lot of different options there. If you can do 3 teeth in the back, and work towards the gearing you prefer, I think you'd be good...

brunop

i'm sportin' 44/16 here in beautiful boston where there are SOME hills. i live atop one and so hit a good hill ever'day. 44/16 works for me.

trespasser

are you using the same ring and cog for 4 years!? maybe time to change all together.

dogpound

hey I'm 35 and will do an alley cat!