Good number of gear inches for a fixed mtb bike?
08-24-08, 02:56 PM
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Good number of gear inches for a fixed mtb bike?
Think I am gonna fix my 29er. What is a good number of gear inches for a fixed mtb bike? Right now it's ss with 32/16, only taken it out once though so not sure how I feel about the current 54 gear/inch setup.
08-24-08, 03:27 PM
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My 1x1 was 32 / 18. It could barely get out of its own way, but was a real blast in the snowy weather.
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08-24-08, 03:28 PM
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Its difficult to say without knowing your riding style, terrain, and trails. Generally you want a gear that is bigger than you would run on a singlespeed bike. The logic is two-fold; climbing is easier, almost like the rear wheel is driven (you'll see what I mean), and because the gear you spin up you have to spin down. Every revolution of it.
That being said, I have found that I generally prefer about two less teeth out back than on an SS bike. For me on a 26" bike its 32/16, 29 its 32/18.
YMMV. Trial and error is the way to go. Maybe buy a TommiCog and use it as a pattern to drill a bunch of DX cogs until you find a gear you like, then buy the appropriate TommiCog.
Good luck, and report back in.
-Rob.
That being said, I have found that I generally prefer about two less teeth out back than on an SS bike. For me on a 26" bike its 32/16, 29 its 32/18.
YMMV. Trial and error is the way to go. Maybe buy a TommiCog and use it as a pattern to drill a bunch of DX cogs until you find a gear you like, then buy the appropriate TommiCog.
Good luck, and report back in.
-Rob.
08-24-08, 06:49 PM
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In my experience, slightly higher than you would normally ride SS...maybe one or two teeth less in the back.
This is not because the fixed gear magically produces extra drive or momentum up the hills (as robcycle and many many others erroneously believe). But, you do have to spin down those hills, and pedal through rough spots...that tends to be easier with a higher gear. On the other hand, you don't want to gear it so high that you can't pedal up the hills, over obstacles, or through loose ground or whatever.
If you are comfortable with your 32/16 set up, then I would try something slightly higher when you go fixed. However, if you've only taken your 29er out once, you probably will have to do more experimentation to get it right. But, thats part of the extra challenge (and fun) of going without multiple gears! Good Luck!
Edits: Its worth pointing out that you don't necessarily have to commit to one gear, nor is there one perfect gear for you. I use a different gear for just about every trail I regularly ride. As long as you have the tools and enough interchangable parts, the search for the "perfect gear" should be a separate quest for each trail.
This is not because the fixed gear magically produces extra drive or momentum up the hills (as robcycle and many many others erroneously believe). But, you do have to spin down those hills, and pedal through rough spots...that tends to be easier with a higher gear. On the other hand, you don't want to gear it so high that you can't pedal up the hills, over obstacles, or through loose ground or whatever.
If you are comfortable with your 32/16 set up, then I would try something slightly higher when you go fixed. However, if you've only taken your 29er out once, you probably will have to do more experimentation to get it right. But, thats part of the extra challenge (and fun) of going without multiple gears! Good Luck!
Edits: Its worth pointing out that you don't necessarily have to commit to one gear, nor is there one perfect gear for you. I use a different gear for just about every trail I regularly ride. As long as you have the tools and enough interchangable parts, the search for the "perfect gear" should be a separate quest for each trail.
Last edited by mihlbach; 08-24-08 at 07:04 PM.
