My 48T ring is getting close to death. Cheap ring--6061 AL--and the chain is gouging the teeth pretty bad. I decided to get a new ring (7075 AL) before it dies, but I couldn't find a 48T or 49T to replace it. I bit the bullet and ordered a 50T, so my gear inches will go up to 82.4.

50x16 in a hill city, but you only live once. If my knees don't assplode, I guess it'll only make me stronger.

Meh. Spend a few bucks on a larger cog if you need to.

A rather tall gear for hills, mashing on tall gears will only **** your knees up...

50x20

FTW!!!!

Hasn't yet, only time will tell. If it's not my knees, it's cancer or heart disease. (that rhymed)

Be sure to use that front brake.
Its the slowin down that will kill yur legs/knees

Weak rhyme... I would have said "if not my knees, a bad disease".

or "if not my knees, genital herpes."

if not my knees, a buffalo.

Singlespeed, not fixed.

I would not do that. Too steep a ratio. I'd rather be spinning and walking later than going much faster, mashing up hills, and needing upgraded knees at 40.

LOL genital herpes. magnificent.

I run 82.8 but not in that hilly of a city.

Might be a bad idea, but f--- it


That has been my motto.

I suppose what works best for you is universally applicable to all.
I ride 81" and at times feel like it is too low...I spin plenty fast with that gear ratio, even over most hills. That doesn't mean it is for everyone.

Here's the bottom line...no one can tell you which gear ratio is going to work best for you, and asking about a specific ratio in BF is a fruitless exercise. OP should buy a few cogs and experiment.

I got my new ring today and it's a beauty. FSA 50T 130BCD. The other two are a 46T and 48T, which became a little too easy to push over time.

You might find it stiff but your knees shouldn't explode if you take time to strengthen the muscles that stabilize your knees (ie, your quads). If you're going to be running this ratio, a couple times a week you should sit in a chair and extend one leg parallel with the ground and hold it as long as you can. Switch to the other leg and repeat. I used to get knee problems running 70GI, I run 78 now and have no knee issues whatsoever after building up my quad strength.