I'm running a 47x15 ratio right now, I tried my friend's Caad 5 track bike and he was running 52x16 which he felt pretty awesome and it wasn't hard to skid at all.
It'll be for street riding, brakeless. Don't think I'll have any problems with it.

What do you guys think?

Your knees will eventually wear out; that fateful moment when they unexpectedly do in a life or death vehicular related event.

I think it's stupid. Ratios like that belong in the velodrome.

spinners are winners

I think you should stick with what you have till you are riding sustained speeds over 25 mph.

52x16 is not that much higher than your current 47x15.

I dunno. Would have to see a pic of your bike.

agree with this statement. According to the chart I borrowed from Wabi Cycles:

+1. I think being realistic about what speeds you really ride at is the best way to pick a ratio. Consider what your typical sustained speed is and back-calculate what ratio you should be riding for 90rpm cadence.

For me, I average a little under 20mph when commuting on the MUP w/o wind (no stopping/slowing for traffic). Using Sheldon Brown's gear calculator, I should be riding something like 44x16. I actually ride a 48x16 so the gear is a little big for me in reality. So, if you can sustain 23mph then go ahead with the ratio otherwise don't.

Lastly, the above example was for ideal conditions. Consider hills/wind/distance/fatigue... all that rolled in w/brakeless doesn't sound like the right choice. Especially after seau's post.

depends on the terrain of where he lives. 52x16 isn't all that ridiculous. I bumped up from 49 to 51 (16) because the guys I were riding with during the week were quite fast and spinning constantly at my previous ratios made it difficult to sustain the speed for as long

+1

This. Chris Hoy runs 51-14 to win the sprints in Olympic and World Championship finals. Ridiculous ratio for the road.

51x14 is 96
52x16 is 85

that's a pretty significant difference. a cadence of 100 maintains a speed of 25. I'm not saying he should go with that ratio, but 52x16 as a track only ratio? I don't see it

I realize this 'bigger ratio' trend going on is ridiculous, but to think everyone should spin in the same 10 gear inches seems silly

52x16 brakeless...

Sounds like hell to me if there are any hills/traffic lights/stop signs/pedestrians/dogs/children in your area. See my signature.

which is why it depends on where he lives and what kind of riding he's doing. also why we can't say what's right for everyone.

I'd never do a ratio like that for commuting or lots of mostly inner city riding, but if I planned on doing at least 25 I wouldn't want to spin for dayz

Ugh. I ran 52x16 on my FG in order to do a local 10 mile TT in true Eddy Merckx style. It was perfect for that. On the ride through town to get to the race route? Not so much.

Less than 4% increase ... Not a huge difference... Both are rather big gear ratios. You obviously have either: 1) No real hills where you ride, or; 2) young knees ... but those won't stay young long...

I just had a pulled pork sandwich for dinner, and it was awesome.

Is this your way of saying there's nothing more to be said on this thread? =)

Now I'm hungry.

Pulled pork I had in GA was outstanding!

Holy coincidence batman! I just made burgers with beef. From alberta!

Vegetarian enchiladas.

But back to the question:


Should I have blue corn chips or the yellow chips?

Are the blue corns blue?

Go blue. Always.

I went with the blue ones. And yes, they are blue. Tasted just fine.