which one do you guys prefer for skidding and mashing on flat ground??
48x17 or 48x15 ??

I like 42x17 for riding my bike, maybe 16 if I'm feeling frisky.

I run 48x16. I can skid forever on wet grounds and fairly well on dry land. Hills can be hard time to time but not impossible.

I run 48x16, but I do not skid, unless it is wet for ****s and giggles.

i run 48x16 right now but its eating my tires quickly. only one skid patch. so maybe i just need some soma everwear tires maybe they will last even longer than my halos right now.

Avoid 48x16 if you plan on skidding- with only one skid patch it will really eat up your tire. I was running 48x16 and really liked it so I switched to a 47t chainring which is only 2% different than running a 48t. I get 16 skid patches now and I can't notice a difference.
I'd suggest 48x17. you'll be able to go fast but also be able to manage hills just fine.

I liked 48/17 until I tried 48/15.

I do 49/17 but live in the most hilly(is that a word?) area of SF. I have a 15 tooth cog but have never used it. I want to try 49/16 when I get some more money. I only skid when I am really bored. 49 is a good chain ring because almost all cogs will have max skid patch. Though I guess 47 would be most idea for skidding.

you mind telling me the differences you feel with both of those ratio since im guessing you had them before; skidding/mashing

what do you crazy kids mean by "mashing", anyway? the old definition of "pushing way too high a gear instead of spinning" or something else?

There's a pretty huge difference between the two, even 17/16 is a big difference. If I was riding on flat ground I'd go with 15 but I wouldn't be able to do much skidding...

depends on the wheel size.

48/17 on a bike with brakes.

700c

I'd go with 48x17 for 700c. around 75GI if using 23mm tires and more skid patches.

48x15 is 85GI is using 23mm tires.

48x17. you get more skid patches i guess~ and not that i think riding fixed damages your knees but it 48x17 will be easier to skid than 15~la

13t cog and a front brake.

i'm running 48/16 in a pretty hilly area of Boston (Blue Hills) and while its tough as hell, I couldn't ask for a better workout. I'm going to buy a 15t for downtown boston and non-hilly areas though.

53x13, brakeless

Bomb those hills!

why not get a fixed/fixed rear hub and do both?

We have a Winner!!!


48-15 is pretty tall; unless you're out on the Bonneville Salt Flats you won't need it or be able to take advantage of it.

I'd go 48-17 fixed with a 48-18 freewheel on the flipside(assuming you have brakes).

48-17 will get you 22mph at 100rpm. Over 26mph at 120rpm.

This is truth. Having ridden 48/15 all the way to 48/19 I can tell you that personally I prefer 48/17. But right now I'm pushing 48/15 because it's fun to go fast! I don't like the extra stress I put on my knees starting from a stop. I really have to concentrate to start very slowly. Choosing your GI is a very personal choice. I run spd's. Ride mostly with traffic. Most trips are under 3 miles. Most of my riding is fairly flat. With 165mm. 23c.

Usually it's easier to convert your ratio to Gear Inches, and compare things that way.

+1, currently running 48-17 and 48-15.

I rarely flip to the 48-15. I regularly ride downtown with my GF and flip to the 15 because its a flat residential ride. 48-17 is manageable for most of the hills here in ATL.

(posting here bc the topic relates instead of a new thread)

i have a fixed/free rear hub and i NEVER use the freewheel side bc what's the point? i want to get a fixed/fixed rear hub and 48/18 and 48/16 seem like a good combo.

so brig do you switch between ratios a lot? or are you sticking with your sweet spot? i figured 48/17 is a good all-around ratio too 'cause i'd probably be too lazy to keep switching anyway.

my main purpose for 48x17 is so i can skid and get skid patches and not just one like 48x16. but i almost want to mash as fast as 48x16. so im kinda iffy about the decision, would 48x17 make much of a difference when im mashing like i am right now on 48x16??

23mm, 700c. and im about to put on soma everwear, so im worry my bike would be heavy. my halo thats wights 335gm makes my bike heavy in the rear right now.