47/16 - 13 miles roundtrip daily.

4 2 x 16 is a little tough for me. I may swap down to an 18rear cog. I hit a good hill on my 13 mile RT commute.

Lately I do 150 to 170 miles a week at 42x16 in flat-as-a-strap, windy-as-hell Phoenix. I used to rock 42x14, but my knees organized a union and went on a wildcat strike. Negotiations resulted in glucosamine, ibuprofen, kneebrace, and gearing-down concessions from management.

How long is the hill /// /maybe there is a little bump here and there that deseves be walked rather than gearing down.

my bike came with a 48x16 which made it a rocket, but one with an admittedly weak engine. now i run a 48x18 which is great for around town, hills, and the daily commute. the change also made for brake use nearly nonexistant.

low to mid 70's are perfect if youre brakeless and if you have a brake maybe a little higher if youre not climbing much

I know, shameless plug !

Commuting on a fixed gear is impossible. Once a track hub gets within 200 yards of the operator's place of work, it explodes.

sorry if its off topic, but how do you determine the % grade of your commute? i have some hills in my commute but have no way to accurately describe them. . .

That explains why my DA hub is pitted now...

send me the details of your route and I will work them for you

Na. I'll gear down and skip the walking. I take it as personal defeat to have to get off the bike and walk. I'd rather thrash my knees.