hairnet

I'm going to have to start hitting the gym again once a week and I absolutely hate riding home from the gym on my fixed gear and I dont want to take my road bike. So, I want to do some SS riding. I'll actually be riding about 8 miles right after the gym, so I just want to be lazy and coast on that ride.

Right now I'm riding 46x19 and am thinking of setting up an 18t fixed cog and 19t freewheel. For those that do flip the flop, what sort of difference do you have between the fixed and freewheel?

I have a track hub so I'm not too sure if a freewheel will be totally fine. I believe I've read that it works without a problem, maybe someone can chime in.

<EDIT> I have a Surly track hub

TejanoTrackie 

If you mean a fixed/fixed hub, then you should be fine with a SS freewheel. As to gearing, I run a higher gear ratio on my SS than my FG and turn lower RPMS. Actually I ride easier and slower on my SS than my FG, and don't even bother with foot retention so I can ride it with any kind of footwear, even sandals.

hairnet

so you just use the higher gear to relax the ride? Basically I will be using the freewheel for the same purpose as you so maybe I'll just get keep the ratio the same on both sides and eventually try a smaller freewheel.

TejanoTrackie 

Yes, but in my case it's two different bikes. My SS is a road bike conversion with fenders, rack and wide cage pedals w/o clips or straps. My FG is a track bike with clipless road pedals. There's a big difference in riding cadence between the two. I doubt I ever get my heart rate above zone 3 on the SS.

mrvile

Heart rate will go up with a lower gear ratio at the same speed, but for an after-gym type ride I'd be more inclined to go with a lower gear ratio and just ride slower. Too high a gear and you'll be using more muscle than you want (well, unless that's really what you want).

Also, I've found that 46/18 is a pretty good "easy" ratio. Though I guess all of this ultimately depends on how fast you actually intend to ride.

hairnet

got an 18 freewheel. The LBS only has Shimano so no clickity clack for me 46x18 feels pretty good for the relaxed riding and I'll have no problem bringing the bike up to speed with that gear anyway