Underground

I have a Trek 1.5. My crank is a FSA Vero 50/34, my cassette is a SRAM PG-950 11-26, 9 speed.

Is there a way I can simulate a common singlespeed gearing on my bike to determine if I should pursue a SS? I'd appreciate the help.

I've tried to look up exact gearing for the cassette but could not find the information.

Is it a 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26?

I see several different models and configurations...

kmoy2002

Leave it on your 50 chain ring and test out the cassette cogs 11-21 this will find a cog that you like. Once you find it, just count the number of teeth.

SlowRoller

AASHTA. First, you can calculate the gearing you have here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/. Then, if you haven't already, you should also read over this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html.

Good luck!

ismellfish2

That isn't the question you need to answer. Your potential future singlespeed can be literally whatever gearing you want, so what you need to determine whether you want to be able to shift or not. Riding a geared bike around is a great way to figure what gearing you like, just set it to a good all around gear and leave it. If you like it, note the number of teeth on the cog and chainwheel you're using. People usually start around 70 gear inches and go from there- Sheldon Brown has all the info you need about selecting a ratio.

Underground

I'm still new to the whole customizing a bicycle thing. Thanks for the input. I'll give it a try in the following weeks. Thanks again everyone!

mander

50*19 is a good place to start.You will find that there are big jumps from there to your 50*17 and 50*21; there are likely some in-between gears that you can get on your 34 ring. have fun. I sure did when I rode my geared bike around as a "simulated singlespeed" before putting my own roadfix together.

lz4005

Everyone should pick one gear and ride it for a month or so before going SS. You'll absolutely not regret it.

HandsomeRyan

Keep in mind that a true SS is a little more efficient than a derailleur'd bike that you just never shift. Most SS's [should] have a perfect chainline and no idler pulleys to roll through, and reduced weight without an entire cassette, extra chainrings, derailleurs and shifters. My SS is a lot easier/more fun to ride than my geared bikes are when I just don't shift.

Get a SS/FG, you won't regret it!

bigvegan

PROTIP: Just count the teeth on each cog. It's not hard.

hairnet

whatever, just get a cheap SS conversion kit. Convert your road bike, see how you like not having the option to shift, and move on from there.

bigvegan

I think he wants to get the right gearing before he buys the conversion kit, so he doesn't have to buy multiple freewheels.

hairnet

Some kits give you a few different cogs to play with. I was mainly thinking about eliminating the ability to shift gears and the temptation/thought.

Brian

The conversion kit just uses a splined cog and spacers. Dirt cheap.