Fixed Gear Gear Ratio
 

I am currently running on a 46x17 on single speed, should I go lower or higher on my rear cog for fixed?

if you think its too hard to pedal add a tooth, too easy subtract one. if you think its good as is just use a 17t cog.

Depends. Are you happy with the gear ratio now? If you like it, it won't hurt to keep it the same.

Also, make sure you put your gears into a calculator to see how many skid spots you'll have with a given ration. (If you're a skid stopper.)

what would the skid spots tell me?

exactly what it sounds like. How many spots on your tire will have skid spots.

If you only have three skid patches, then when you pull off skids, they're going to wear away one of three spots on your tires, which will wear it away MUCH faster than if you had, say, thirteen skid patches.

If I stay on the 17t, I'm going to have 17 skid patches...the higher better for my tire is what ur saying?

Yeah mang just think about it...you're distributing your skids to more of your tire. If you keep hitting the same spots you're going to wear right through the tire.

dont pay attention to skid patches if you use brakes. It is much more important to have the most comfortable gear ratio. If you ride brakeless on the other hand, it is in fact important

If you do use patches, think about this.


If you have 3 skid patches, you have a 1 out of 3 chance of hitting the same skid patch over and over again. Thats a pretty high probability, and youre going to wear it away pretty quick like everyone says.

If you had 17, the probability of hitting the same skid patch consecutively over and over again goes down because you have a 1 out of 17 chance of hitting it.

But yeeeah....go brakes lol.

I'd go the same on the fixed side and decide later if you want to go higher/lower or go high/low on the SS side instead.

Yea I am planning on keeping my front brake just for safety reasons, but I am gunna skid as well. I think ima stay on my 17t, I am comfortable on it. I am at 71.1 gear inches, do you think that is too high for fixed?

Also, anyone have instructions on a DIY chain whip and lockring wrench?

In a nut shell, you could use an flat piece of metal, drill three holes in there...buy a cheap KMC z410 chain and two of those KMC master links. Look at how a commercial chainwhip is constructed and look at how the links fit into the hole, use those master links to connect your chain to the piece of metal and you got yourself a nice chainwhip.

Make sure those master links that you buy are 1/8", just like your chain.

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/pr...chain_whip.jpg

Thanks for the advice, any for the lock ring wrench?