Changing from 71 to 69 gear inches - any benifits
I am running 71 GI and like going down the hills and up moderate hills. But sometimes, I would like a little more ease at hills.
Would I notice a lot by dropping to 69 GI? Tom |
I like 69 gi (42x16) for around town commuting, but you really have to spin like a madman on the way down a hill. How is descending for you now?
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Originally Posted by Anthropy
(Post 12694044)
I am running 71 GI and like going down the hills and up moderate hills. But sometimes, I would like a little more ease at hills.
Would I notice a lot by dropping to 69 GI? Tom Fun Fact: I run 66.6 gear inches http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ism7SeMpx9...satan_goat.jpg |
I run the devil's ratio too and don't have an issue with spinning out on descents. Probably because I'm riding toward Hell.
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I don't totally understand this gear ration thing yet. What would happen if I went up? I'm running a 42/16 (69 GI) single speed.
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I use to run 63 GI (42x18 & 32c tires) and the hills were pretty easy, but I don't spin very well, plus going down hills sucked more. I wanted faster so I changed to 71 GI (42 x 16), which is better going down hills, but I still use the hand brakes to help slow me down. I thought of going to a 42x17 = 66.7 GI, to see if that was better. I like 71 for the straight ways, but this spring we have had a lot of 30 mph head winds that equal NO Joy. I am running 165mm crank arms.
I want something that is a tad bit easier on my knees (they hurt a lot some days), but will still give me some speed. I sometimes think that single speed is where I need to end up, but fixed had been so much fun this year, I hate to give it up. Tom |
I run 67 GI and only spin out when I'm booking it down the occasional hill we have in central Illinois.
A 2 GI difference is not a lot. Noticeable, but barely so. |
Originally Posted by mkeHENRY
(Post 12694242)
I don't totally understand this gear ration thing yet. What would happen if I went up? I'm running a 42/16 (69 GI) single speed.
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Hey Scrod. You have any 17 t cogs in stock?
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I've been alternating between 18, 17, and 16 tooth cogs with my 46t chainring to get 69.8, 72.5, and 76 gear inches, respectively.
Are there noticeable differences going one-step up or down between the three? Yes, but not soo much. A more noticeable difference is going for a 2-tooth difference. If you want to just adjust your GI a few inches, then try a smaller width tire, like going from 28c to 25c or 25c to 23c. |
Originally Posted by Anthropy
(Post 12694303)
Hey Scrod. You have any 17 t cogs in stock?
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Appreciate the offer, OP. But no. Not at that ratio.
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Was I offering something? I'm so confused.
Tom |
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Spinning? Whirling Dervishes?
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Does gear ratio affect the ability to perform wheelies or ride backwards? or any other kinds of "tricks?"
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I'd imagine, because if you watch videos of bicycle acrobats and whatnot, they're front chainring is like, a 20 tooth or something crazy.
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Originally Posted by mkeHENRY
(Post 12695518)
Does gear ratio affect the ability to perform wheelies or ride backwards? or any other kinds of "tricks?"
Try initiating a wheelie on a geared bike - the power-surge on a low gear will make it easier than a high gear. I nearly flipped this week on an uphill climb with my road-bike because I left it in the granny gear when dismounting for a drinking-break. When I got going again on the uphill, that first stroke lifted my front into the air. |
Most trick track riders i know are right around the 68 gear inch area on thier trick bikes, which isnt especially low, but lower than most people's street gerings.
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I forgot I had an old Sugino AT 170mm crank set with 50 / 45 chain rings I could try, so I pulled off the existing crank arms, stuck these on with the 45t and added a couple of links to my chain. Took it out for a test drive and found it much easier on my knees, spinning is easier, and I can take the hills a lot easier. So this gets me 67.5 GI (45/18) and I did not seem to loose any over all speed. So, I would be in the same ball park if I had done 42/17 (66.7), which I might still do, but at least this test was pretty much free.
Now, I need to get the hang of not bouncing so much when I try and spin like mad. Tom |
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