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Optimal Chainring/Cog combination

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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)

Optimal Chainring/Cog combination

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Old 12-26-09 | 07:44 PM
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Optimal Chainring/Cog combination

Alrighty. I have a question. Is there an optimal cog combinatino that allows you to more effectively drift then another cog combination?
A friend of mine says that the stock setup on the Windsor Hour does not allow him to whip the tail very effectively. I was wondering if anyone knew if the chaingring/cog combiation changes anything at all, and if so, what is the optimal combination that allows you to drift/whip the tail?
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Old 12-26-09 | 07:46 PM
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Smaller = The better since you are overcoming less resistance.
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Old 12-26-09 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by JimmyJars
Smaller = The better since you are overcoming less resistance.
+1. The smaller chainring and/or larger cog will lower your gear, which will make it easier to skid/drift/wheelie.

Unfortunately, since it's a lower gear, your bike will go slower for the same level of crank RPMs, and you're more likely to get spun out going downhill, so you need to find a happy medium that works for you.
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Old 12-26-09 | 11:10 PM
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Lower GI make it easier but the main thing is learning how to unweigh the rear wheel.And i'm not talking about any nuts to the stem nonsense either.After that it's easy no matter what gear.
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Old 12-26-09 | 11:13 PM
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39x13? ha
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Old 12-26-09 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by WoundedKnee
39x13? ha
Close, except for the whole 79 gear inches part.
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Old 12-26-09 | 11:28 PM
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If I remember its almost the same as 46x17
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Old 12-26-09 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by WoundedKnee
If I remember its almost the same as 46x17
https://www.profileracing.com/ht_gearinch.php

46x17 = 73 gear inches

39x13 = 81 gear inches

39x13 would be the opposite of what the OP is looking for. 46x17 is more reasonable, and would be a good street combo.
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Old 12-27-09 | 11:25 PM
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being that im fairly new, what is gear inches? and for the record, what is toe overlap? XD thanks for the help alot guys. So for drifting im looking for low ratio. But i knew that for higher speeds i want a higher gear. Haha. (larger chainring + smaller cog)
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Old 12-27-09 | 11:44 PM
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Well nuts.
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Old 12-27-09 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ph4nt0mf1ng3rs
being that im fairly new, what is gear inches? and for the record, what is toe overlap? XD thanks for the help alot guys. So for drifting im looking for low ratio. But i knew that for higher speeds i want a higher gear. Haha. (larger chainring + smaller cog)
Gear Inches = (number of crank chainring teeth) x 27 / (number of hub cog teeth). It is just a number that is used to talk gearing. A bigger GI is a bigger gear and a lower GI is a lower gear. So for example if you have a 46T chainring and a 17T cog, then your GI = 46 X 27 / 17 = 73.

Toe overlap is how much your toes overlap the front tire when you turn the bars and your cranks are horizontal. If you have a true track frame with tight geometry, then you probably have a lot of overlap. This just means you have to watch your pedal position when you turn the bars.
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