Gearing question
 

Hey guys,

what do you guys think the optimal gearing would be for a flat city with occasional hills and some wind?

I havent bought any components yet so Im open to comments.

Thanks

55x12 is good.

I do 46x17 on a campus that is pretty much like you described - small hills, occasional (strong!) headwind.

If your muscles haven't atrophied like mine, it should be plenty good for going around the place.

^ That seems pretty brutal, but a high gear would definitely get you around quicker. 80 gear inches i would say.

what would it look like in lay mans terms? 46t to 16t? what would a higher count do, say a 17t or 18t?

http://software.bareknucklebrigade.c...it.applet.html

Plug in your chainring and cog sizes to see magic numbers!!

I roll around on 46x17, and I have to deal with some pretty beastly hills, but nothing too long, mostly rolling hills. Depending on how aggressive of a rider you are, I would recommend 46x16 or bigger.

Mid to low 70s here in Chicago. Spin at around 90 rpm, cruise at 19-20 mph.

Actually, not. Not in my case at least.

With high gear, my top speed is definately faster. But looking at my average speed over 30 minutes, it is faster with a lower gear.

My "low" gear is 42x16. Yeah, I ride 48x14 (and many others) on the track, but that doesn't work well on the street. The higher gearing takes longer to get up to speed, and doesn't get my rpm really in the sweet spot (unless I'm really in a hurry). even smaller changes like 42x15 make me slower. It just takes longer to get up to speed (and riding fixed probably longer to slow down).

In the end, my average speed is faster with the 42x16, where I am riding 90-100rpm and going 19-20mph.

My bike came with 46x16. It seems to work good for me. I haven't felt the need or desire to change it. Los Angeles has a few hills here and there, some wind, but also a lot of flat areas too.