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reccomend me a good gear ratio for a pretty flat area

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

reccomend me a good gear ratio for a pretty flat area

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Old 07-21-08, 05:10 PM
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reccomend me a good gear ratio for a pretty flat area

i have a 16 and 17 tooth free wheel so i'd like to use one of those. i also have a bunch of chain rings so i should have one that'll work
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Old 07-21-08, 05:20 PM
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45 x 16 = 74 gear inches. And 16 skid patches, if that's your thing.
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Old 07-21-08, 05:35 PM
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I live in a really flat area and ride 53/17. It's great once you get moving, but starting and stopping is laborious.
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Old 07-21-08, 05:36 PM
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forgot to say, it's ss
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Old 07-21-08, 05:55 PM
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Sorry. You did say free wheel. I missed that.
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Old 07-21-08, 06:04 PM
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maybe 48x16, i used that for a while and liked it well enough.
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Old 07-21-08, 06:20 PM
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imo you can never really go too low. i run 19x49 and couldn't be happier. i'd rather spin than mash, feels better. i also ride my bike for cardio sometimes and spinning's better cardio.

the only thing is i can't fly down this one bridge without bumping up and down b/c my legs are spinning so fast. but otherwise it's fine for flat stuff.
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Old 07-21-08, 10:36 PM
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64x12
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Old 07-21-08, 10:53 PM
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I ran 52x16 free in Richmond, VA which is mostly flat w/ some hills


on my fixed i run 46/17 but I run brakeless and I use the gear ratio as a safety cushion b/c it's easier to slow down w/ the shorter ratio
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Old 07-21-08, 10:53 PM
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SS ratios feel different than fixed ratios.

IMHO I think SS's tend to sprint more. So a lower ratio would be better.
I think 42/16 or 42/17

For a MTB i'd go even easier.
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Old 07-22-08, 12:42 AM
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I think a higher ratio is better for SS b/c you don't have to keep pedaling and you don't have to worry about resisting the high ass ratio


I like riding higher ratios on SS bikes


I've rode up to 52/14 on SS and 48/15 on fixed...52/14 SS was less stressful than 48/15 brakeless IMO
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Old 07-22-08, 12:53 AM
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Spin. Skids are easier and its easier on the knees. 45/16 for the win.
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Old 07-22-08, 01:11 AM
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he's making a single speed
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Old 07-22-08, 09:21 AM
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For what it's worth, I live in a pretty flat area and I'm going to try 41 x 16 (fixed) and 17 (free) for the fall. I use my FG/SS for commuting, recovery, and family rides.
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Old 07-22-08, 09:28 AM
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42x16 on the singlespeed
48x19 on the fixed
 

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