I am trying to learn to skid. Did some short ones today w/ 44/17 gear. My question is this..
Is it easier to invoke a skid w/ a higher or lower gear? I can't wrap my head around the physics.
equal and opposite forces apply so seems like no mater what you are pushing as hard as the road is pushing back.
your experience?

Depends on the situation

I find it easier if you're going high speed, to skid with a bigger gear

You said it yourself. Equal and opposite forces. when it's harder to pedal forward, it's the same to pedal backward. The force friction on the ground from the tire remains the same, therefore the higher the ratio the harder to skid

Your ratio should be a fairly low gear, so skidding shouldnt be much of a problem. Its harder to initiate a skid going faster because your legs are going faster and its harder to find that sweet spot, but its still technically easier...i think.

The part I put in bold is what explains the best gear choice for skid(z).

Basically, the amount the road "pushes back" (the friction of your tire on the road) is always going to be the same. Therefore, the amount you need to RESIST the road's friction to lock up your back wheel will also stay the same all the time.

The difference is how hard you need to push ON THE PEDALS to put enough force on your back wheel to break traction. Like someone else said above, this is related to how hard you need to push FORWARD on the pedals to get moving. If it's really hard for you to pedal forward from a stop, it's going to be really hard to pedal "backward" (i.e., stop the pedals once they're spinning) to do a skid. The easier it is to pedal forward, the easier it will be to stop the pedals for a skid.

So, throwing some numbers into the mix, you either need a "smaller" (fewer teeth) crank gear or a "bigger" (more teeth) gear on the wheel.

Gearing terminology is always goofy. To make it simple, a gear ratio that gives you a higher top speed (like the gears that racers use in the velodrome) will make it harder to skid. A gear ratio that gives you a lower top speed (like the gearing that single-speed mountainbikers use to allow them to climb steep hills) will make skidding easier.

I like my gear. I think I might need stronger legs. Need to HTFU and pray for warm weather.

thanks for the advice.

i had trouble..so i went from 48x16 to 42x16 dropped about ten gear inches...way easier to skid

I am going to try 44/19 tomorrow. I have a double cog 17/19 and a pair of old tires that need burning through.

44/17 should be incredibly easy to skid.

It's not the gear inches. Your technique needs improvement. Practice timing, and make sure to bring your ass forward a bit, out of the saddle, when you're going to skid.

Pull up with your front foot just as hard as you're pushing down with your back foot. That did the trick for me. And lean forward.

^ ^
seems like I need better technique. It was easier w/ 44/19 but, I still rather ride the 17.
Timing needs improvement. Also, my front leg it crossing right into the crotch of my stem and bars; pressed so hard on in fact I can feel bruising.
Does that sound right or should my leg be in a more linear position?

I don't understand this penchant for skidding. Personally, I'd rather wear out a set of $12 brake pads than a $30 tire but I guess that's just me.

... and yes, I DO ride fixed; and no, I don't usually use my brakes at all except for panic stops. It is perfectly feasible to control a fixed gear bike in ordinary riding without either using the brakes or skidding your tires.

I'm not sure I get it either but, I figured when in Rome. And as I said I've got a set of squared off and patched tires to try it out.

i can't imagine riding 44x19 and enjoying it. thats got to be the slowest bike in town.

exactly

It's not about skidding to stop, you rarely have to skid to stop if you look ahead well and whatnot. You skid for fun. You do it to be showy or for a laugh. It's the same thing as some people power sliding round a corner in a car. Sure it's not fun for everyone and some people even think it's stupid, but it can be enjoyable to the right person.

longer cranks will also increase leverage and make skidz easier

do it on an icy road first, in heavy traffic.

^
with my clipless pedals right

Technique and knowing what to expect moreso than gear ratio. But leg strength will be a factor with bigger/taller gears too.

For sure it's easier to skid with a lower gear, though, as it is to skid on slippery surfaces more than regular asphalt.