SO what is the most common gearing rings you all use on on your ss? I have a 42/18 but i wanted to know if there is a more common combo. thx yall

I am not sure "common" should be how you judge your gearing, especially since there are many ring/cog combos that will give you the same gear. Factor in preference, fitness and geography, and it gets even murkier. It will also be likely much cheaper to swap your cog. Try 42x16 if your current setup is feeling a little light.

46/16 and 46/17 are pretty common

I am running a 46/19, for spin training and every direction is uphill from my apartment.

Your current gearing has only 3 skid patches. I would worry more about that than what is common. If you went to the same combo I have you would have a slightly higher ratio (2.41 vs 2.33 or 65 GI vs 63 GI) and would have 19 skid patches.

I go back and forth between 40/15 and 42/16. But I own many more chainrings than cogs. Chainrings are actually cheaper.

My chainring cost $70, but I suppose a crappy chainring can be less expensive than a cog. But then again a crappy cog will cost $15.

You like 3 skid patches? Both combos you ride have 3 skid patches.

Good chainrings don't need to cost all that much -- salsa, surly, FSA, and others all make good stuff for $30-40. Also, chainrings can be a little more up front, but they usually last longer.

OP, please just search, there have been 32452346457.6 gearing threads.

3 is not a factor of 16. How are you getting 3 patches from 42/16?

Not sure, I guess it was too early. You would think a mathematician could simplify fractions. lol 42/16 has 8 skid patches, sorry.

what is a skid patch?

Realistically, at this point in the lifetime of these forums, we should just lock all threads and have everyone search for whatever their question may be.

No sweat. I've got a BS in math and openly admit that fractions aren't my strong point either.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_sa-o.html#skidpatch

Working on my PhD. lol I got add, subtract, or multiply either.

They should do that for most of the UBUNTU forums too. lol

Need helpz with Beryl. It crashes my Dell. PLZ HALP!!11eleven!!shiftone!1!!

From what I've seen, 42 and 48 are pretty common chainrings for people riding conversions. A lot of old ten speeds have them.

I have a 42 and 52. Do u think 52 is too big?

Yup. 52-42 was the standard road double until the 90s. Right now I'm riding 42 / 15 (and a 17t freewheel para las montanas.)

Not if you put a big enough cog in back.

52/19 < 42/15

(check it out: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/)

You'll have more street practical gear inch latitude with the 42. (more practical cog choices)

UPDATE: converted from 42/18 to 42/14 and it feels sooooooooooo much better/efficient/faster......my next attempt will be a 42/1

You now have 1 skid patch. Not good.

43-17 all the way baby. slightly smaller than the ubiquitous 42-16, but barely

Actually, it is probably less efficient, since you will not be spinning as much. Not that 81 GI can't be spun, but...

I rode 48/14 for a long time. You guys with your 42 rings are sissies.

Especially anyone riding a 42/12, huh?