The Perfect Gear Ratio
06-18-07, 06:52 AM
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The Perfect Gear Ratio
So I gave in to my romatic side and bought my first single speed road bike
a Gensis flyer... good its beatiful
But I can't help thinking I can get more out of it. So far I have changed the rear cog from a 18 to 16 but still getting a lot of overspin because I live and only travel around central London, which is mostly flat.
I wondered if anyone out there knows or can recommend the perfect gear ratio for one of these.... I pretty fit, as I used to ride a hybrid for 2 years on no less than 22 out of 24.
Also I wanted to know if you go faster using the fixed wheel formation?
a Gensis flyer... good its beatifulBut I can't help thinking I can get more out of it. So far I have changed the rear cog from a 18 to 16 but still getting a lot of overspin because I live and only travel around central London, which is mostly flat.
I wondered if anyone out there knows or can recommend the perfect gear ratio for one of these.... I pretty fit, as I used to ride a hybrid for 2 years on no less than 22 out of 24.
Also I wanted to know if you go faster using the fixed wheel formation?
06-18-07, 07:07 AM
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My view is this. And I'm really smart.
Take the gear combo you rode most on your geared bike. Subtract one tooth from the rear cog. Figure out the gear inches or other benchmark you can use to compare gears. I like "mph at 90 rpm's" myself. Find a gear ratio that matches that.
Basically, I like to have my fixed gear just slightly higher than favorite gear on my road bike, which has a 48-36-26 setup with a 12-25 9 speed cog. On that bike, my most commonly used gear when there's no wind is 36-14. I can jump to 48-17, which is my gear for when I have a slight tailwind. My fixed gear is almost identical to that, 42-15. I'd like it to be a teensy bit lower. However, that would entail buying parts and I have other priorities right now.
I hope I was helpful. The bottom line is that gearing is very much a matter of personal preference no matter what kind of bike you ride.
Take the gear combo you rode most on your geared bike. Subtract one tooth from the rear cog. Figure out the gear inches or other benchmark you can use to compare gears. I like "mph at 90 rpm's" myself. Find a gear ratio that matches that.
Basically, I like to have my fixed gear just slightly higher than favorite gear on my road bike, which has a 48-36-26 setup with a 12-25 9 speed cog. On that bike, my most commonly used gear when there's no wind is 36-14. I can jump to 48-17, which is my gear for when I have a slight tailwind. My fixed gear is almost identical to that, 42-15. I'd like it to be a teensy bit lower. However, that would entail buying parts and I have other priorities right now.
I hope I was helpful. The bottom line is that gearing is very much a matter of personal preference no matter what kind of bike you ride.
06-18-07, 07:08 AM
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https://www.makezine.com/blog/archive...peed_bike.html
Dunno what your problem is, these guys say 16 is the perfect ratio. But me, I like 45:17 for cruising and 45:15 when I wanna get somewhere.
Dunno what your problem is, these guys say 16 is the perfect ratio. But me, I like 45:17 for cruising and 45:15 when I wanna get somewhere.
06-18-07, 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by blkpa
But I can't help thinking I can get more out of it. So far I have changed the rear cog from a 18 to 16 but still getting a lot of overspin because I live and only travel around central London, which is mostly flat.
06-18-07, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by blkpa
Also I wanted to know if you go faster using the fixed wheel formation?
The oil companies have kept this advanced technology supressed and they really don't want you to know about it. In fact, as an American, I could end up in Gitmo just for telling you.
Of course, you gain some advantage as well from having a perfectly straight (I hope) chainline. But best of all, fixed gear prevents you from coasting. With one gear and no ability to coast, you learn to focus on the "engine" rather than the bike.
A car just pulled up in front of my house. I have to go.
06-18-07, 12:46 PM
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I enjoy spinning up to 85-90 RPM, which makes my 46x18 ratio pretty flexible for my needs. Most importantly, I have few hills beyond the gentle slope for about 800 ft.
06-18-07, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
Yes. On a regular bike, the forward motion of the bike is wasted energy. However, on a fixed gear the forward motion of the bike turns the pedals. Of course we both know that the pedals turn the wheels which creates forward motion. So the bike is essentially pedaling itself. What you have is a perpetual motion machine. The faster you go, the faster you go.
The oil companies have kept this advanced technology supressed and they really don't want you to know about it. In fact, as an American, I could end up in Gitmo just for telling you.
Of course, you gain some advantage as well from having a perfectly straight (I hope) chainline. But best of all, fixed gear prevents you from coasting. With one gear and no ability to coast, you learn to focus on the "engine" rather than the bike.
A car just pulled up in front of my house. I have to go.
The oil companies have kept this advanced technology supressed and they really don't want you to know about it. In fact, as an American, I could end up in Gitmo just for telling you.
Of course, you gain some advantage as well from having a perfectly straight (I hope) chainline. But best of all, fixed gear prevents you from coasting. With one gear and no ability to coast, you learn to focus on the "engine" rather than the bike.
A car just pulled up in front of my house. I have to go.
I LOL'd.
06-18-07, 12:57 PM
#10
hello
I wish I knew what my perfect gear ratio was......otherwise, I wouldn't own a geared bike...
My 'perfect' gear ratio is a compromise and changes frequently depending on what kind of ride I'm doing.
My 'perfect' gear ratio is a compromise and changes frequently depending on what kind of ride I'm doing.
06-18-07, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
Yes. On a regular bike, the forward motion of the bike is wasted energy. However, on a fixed gear the forward motion of the bike turns the pedals. Of course we both know that the pedals turn the wheels which creates forward motion. So the bike is essentially pedaling itself. What you have is a perpetual motion machine. The faster you go, the faster you go.
The oil companies have kept this advanced technology supressed and they really don't want you to know about it. In fact, as an American, I could end up in Gitmo just for telling you.
Of course, you gain some advantage as well from having a perfectly straight (I hope) chainline. But best of all, fixed gear prevents you from coasting. With one gear and no ability to coast, you learn to focus on the "engine" rather than the bike.
A car just pulled up in front of my house. I have to go.
The oil companies have kept this advanced technology supressed and they really don't want you to know about it. In fact, as an American, I could end up in Gitmo just for telling you.
Of course, you gain some advantage as well from having a perfectly straight (I hope) chainline. But best of all, fixed gear prevents you from coasting. With one gear and no ability to coast, you learn to focus on the "engine" rather than the bike.
A car just pulled up in front of my house. I have to go.
06-20-07, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
So the bike is essentially pedaling itself. What you have is a perpetual motion machine. The faster you go, the faster you go.
.
.
06-20-07, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Oreganoflow
49/18
06-20-07, 09:40 AM
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What gear ratio is good for doing wheelies? I thought about buying an extra rear cog just for fun sometimes.
06-20-07, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by andypants
I just switched to this, I'm into it. I'm into anything in the mid 70s.
42 x 16 = 69 is perfect for winter.
52 x 14 = 98 is perfect for knee destruction.
06-20-07, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by andypants
I just switched to this, I'm into it. I'm into anything in the mid 70s.
06-20-07, 11:14 AM
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i'd leave the sweet stuff
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Originally Posted by macsaorsa
Like the Bee Gees?
no, son, like Alexander Bell and the guy who swum the Channel! 1870's!!
06-20-07, 11:48 AM
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for those of us with microscopic calves, something in the high 60's works well for hilly areas.
06-20-07, 02:50 PM
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Online gear calculator:
https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
If you're an experienced rider, and you're dealing with flat terrain, mid- to upper-70s (gear inches, that is) should suit you just fine.
https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
If you're an experienced rider, and you're dealing with flat terrain, mid- to upper-70s (gear inches, that is) should suit you just fine.
06-21-07, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by macsaorsa
Like the Bee Gees?