Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Single speed 48/12

Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Single speed 48/12

Old 08-15-12, 12:48 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
With urban riding, remember that you often need to thread the needle at slow speeds. If you have to mash through those slowdowns, your stability will suffer and you may end up trackstanding under a cement truck.
ganapati is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 01:58 PM
  #27  
Hi, I'm Bryan.
 
jimmytango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650

Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by nashcommguy
Way too high for urban. Especially NYC. You got a deathwish? You looking to have double knee replacement in your early 30s?

My gearing is 48x15 fixed, but I live rural and most of my rides are traffic light/stop sign free and rolling hills. For me it's a fitness thing. The only strain is getting started, but once I'm up to speed it's 90-120 rpm consistantly. Can't imagine trying to take off from traffic lights and navigating NYC w/the gearing in your post. Like others have suggested try putting a 17, 18 or 19t cog w/t 48. Makes much more sense for your environment and terrain.
After seeing the hills in Nashville, I don't think I'd even be that high on the gearing.
jimmytango is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:16 PM
  #28  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,953
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
48x15 in the city doesn't sound like much fun
I like 48x16 or 48x17. I loose a lot of top end with 17 but if it's heavy traffic, it's better than the 16.
cruiserhead is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:17 PM
  #29  
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Jaytron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,244

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 15 Posts
48x16 wasn't fun when I was running it.

I like 49x18 imo.
Jaytron is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:21 PM
  #30  
Your cog is slipping.
 
Scrodzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 640 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 58 Posts
Originally Posted by Jaytron
48x16 wasn't fun when I was running it.

I like 49x18 imo.
+1

I recently switched my Dodici from 49/18 to 49/17. After one ride, I switched back to 49/18.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:23 PM
  #31  
pro in someone's theory
 
prooftheory's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 3,236

Bikes: FTP

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Jaytron
48x16 wasn't fun when I was running it.

I like 49x18 imo.
What do you end up running on the track?
prooftheory is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 02:24 PM
  #32  
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Jaytron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,244

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by prooftheory
What do you end up running on the track?
49x16 warm up
49x15 F200M

(I also use a completely different fixed for commuting, and a different one for track)
Jaytron is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 03:41 PM
  #33  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,953
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Jaytron
48x16 wasn't fun when I was running it.

I like 49x18 imo.
That would be a bit too limiting in top end for me.
48x17 is similar and that feels good. I guess it depends on riding style and topography.

48x16 has been perfect for running around as well as riding with a friend, pacelining.
It's not as good in heavy traffic otherwise
cruiserhead is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 03:55 PM
  #34  
Fixie Infamous
 
Nagrom_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474

Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
47/17 over here. I am able to hold ~22 mph real easy.

spin to win.
Nagrom_ is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 03:56 PM
  #35  
Hi, I'm Bryan.
 
jimmytango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,650

Bikes: 2010 Focus Mares

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I ride around Chicago (flat, heavy traffic) and the northern burbs (mild hills, less traffic) every day, and I rode around Austin (moderate traffic, lots of hills) with 48/17 and love it.
jimmytango is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 03:59 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
8.4 meters development.

Even Eddy could only push 7.9m.




Not to be a jerk, but if it's too big for Eddy, it's probably too big for you.
caloso is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 05:08 PM
  #37  
nashcommguy
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: nashville, tn
Posts: 2,499

Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jimmytango
After seeing the hills in Nashville, I don't think I'd even be that high on the gearing.
Hey Chicago...that's where I started cycle-commuting! 25 years ago. No bike lanes in those days. Then Mayor/cycle-commuter Daley got elected and the rest is history. If I was commuting in Chi nowadays I'd use 46x16 fg. But, I'd have a Surly Pugsly w/2.35 studded Nokias, too.

Don't live in Nashville, but 35 miles SW. Past Franklin and Leiper's Fork out where the Natchez Trace Parkway crosses Natchez Trace Road. There're a few 18-25% gradients out here, but I know all the ways around them. Sometimes, I'll climb one and do switchbacks just to stay sharp w/that skillset, though. Nighttime fg rides on the NTP are the best. One can do 40 miles and not have a single car pass.
nashcommguy is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:25 PM
  #38  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
85 gear inches 48/14. old school marin hybrid converted into single-speed. my friend who's a bike messenger rides 56/16 fixed gear and rides brakeless. I think he is crazy and he is fast. i guess bike messenger are really hard to pass and beat. his bike is really like less than 15 pounds super light mavic wheel and IRO bike frame weighs like 3 pounds.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:26 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i'm 24. i hope i don't feel pain when i hit 30.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:31 PM
  #40  
Fresh Garbage
 
hairnet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 13,190

Bikes: N+1

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 352 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times in 18 Posts
Originally Posted by SimonLee
old school marin hybrid converted into single-speed.
Even more reason to use lower gears

my friend who's a bike messenger rides 56/16 fixed gear and rides brakeless.
Lots of people do lots of things, that doesn't mean you should too.
hairnet is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:42 PM
  #41  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
your right. might do down to a 48/16 for the winter. rode 42/16 for like 1 yr then 42/14 for like 4 months and for this summer went up to a 48/14. my leg is spinning out the 48/16 easily and riding at 110-120 cadence only reason i switched to 48/14 down to like 90-100 lol.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:49 PM
  #42  
Fixie Infamous
 
Nagrom_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474

Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by SimonLee
your right. might do down to a 48/16 for the winter. rode 42/16 for like 1 yr then 42/14 for like 4 months and for this summer went up to a 48/14. my leg is spinning out the 48/16 easily and riding at 110-120 cadence only reason i switched to 48/14 down to like 90-100 lol.
You realize thats like 28mph right?
Nagrom_ is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:53 PM
  #43  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yes np. i only ride on flat road will go down to 48/16 or 42/14.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:55 PM
  #44  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: central Ohio
Posts: 926

Bikes: Schwinn Madison, Windsor Dover

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by SimonLee
i'm 24. i hope i don't feel pain when i hit 30.

My pain all came about when I hit 40. Now at 47, it's all about trying to survive
bfloyd6969 is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:56 PM
  #45  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yea 48/16 not bad if you're fit.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:56 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
seau grateau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 9,948

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1332 Post(s)
Liked 398 Times in 194 Posts
I ride 48-17 because I'm halfway between being a jackass kid and a boring adult.
seau grateau is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:57 PM
  #47  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
always feels easier to ride in the summer so go higher gear but then when winter comes gear down.
SimonLee is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 06:57 PM
  #48  
Still kicking.
 
Dannihilator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Annandale, New Jersey
Posts: 19,659

Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 46 Times in 32 Posts
Originally Posted by SimonLee
i'm 24. i hope i don't feel pain when i hit 30.
I've felt pain plenty of times before I hit 30 two years ago.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Dannihilator is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 07:00 PM
  #49  
Senior Member
 
FakeFuji's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 656
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Probably spinning out down hill, I run 45 /16 , I've run 48/15 for a year and it did hurt my knees, but I live in a high traffic area with lots of lights so slightly gearing down felt nice
FakeFuji is offline  
Old 08-15-12, 10:50 PM
  #50  
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Jaytron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,244

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by SimonLee
yea 48/16 not bad if you're fit.
It's not about being fit. I also refuse to believe your rolling average is 28mph.
Jaytron is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.