Fixed gear nirvana...
 

Hi guys,

Over the weekend I built up a white industries eno hub, slapped a track cog, then put it on my commuter. I had never tried a fixed gear machine, and I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I must say, it is really cool! Reminds me of a car with a manual transmission compared to an automatic-more skill required, but much more engaging. I'm still a little nervous in traffic and on snow and ice, but I can totally see the appeal. Smooth and connected to the road.

BTW, what kind of gearing are you guys running? I've got a 44t chainring to a 15t track cog on a 700x25 wheel. Its not bad, but I'm thinking I could go a little lower for better braking and accelleration. I'm riding in stop and start traffic, and the terain is pretty flat.

Cheers,

Jeremy

i run 48:16 on all of my fixies for around town. i may change my peugeot to 48:18/19 though... haven't decided yet.

Im running 40x14, but I'll be riding in hills, not a flatter city.

If you don't open it up much (i.e., no straightaways longer than a mile or so), lower gearing is OK. For riding around Boston (lots of traffic mostly flat but for a few notable hills), I run 42 x 15 with 700 x 35 cross tires. If you decide you want to roam more freely around Ontario (it is Yours to Discover, after all), you might like something a little steeper.

I use a 44x17. I'm a spinner. I live in an area with short hills. For rides west, on weekends, where I open it up a bit, and where the hills are infrequent, a 44x16 is better. I ride brakeless, and have one knee that is just ok, so the small gear allows me to accelerate quickly, stop quickly, get over the hills, and not burn myself on my long commute, so it helps me to pace myself. Also trains my pedalstroke for road racing.

41x14 here. Perfect for the hilly area I live in. Its a nice comfortable around town gearing I think.

I run 40x16 on my winter brakeless bike and 42x15 on my summer brakeless bike (have not had much experience brakeless with this gearing...) I have to say 40x16 is great for Toronto. There hasn't been a hill I haven't been able to hammer up yet, even when going in and out of the ravines. Can be a little limiting if you like going excessively fast, but I can keep up with traffic without needing a ridiculous spin.

i ride 48x16 on my track bike and 42x16 on my conversion. i have been neglecting my conversion for a while but i took it for a ride today and holy crap i felt like i was going so slow. it was so easy i felt like i could've skidded with one foot while sitting on my saddle.

youre ready for this gem

http://home.i1.net/~dwolfe/gerz/

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I am in the right ballpark at least. I've got a couple of other chainrings-a 42 and a 38 I think. Maybe I'll test it out with each of those and see what happens.

I'm running 45x18 right now and it's super comfy. When I get out of MO and can ride every day I'll switch it back to 48 up front, since then I won't be so squishy and slow...

44/18t...66.0"
44/17t...69.9"
44/16t...74.3"
44/15t...79.2"
44/14t...84.9"

I'm still pushing the same gear, didn't get a chance to change it. Man, I am *SORE*. My calves, quads, even my hamstrings hurt. I never would have expected that, since I've been riding SS all winter with pretty much the same gear, on the same bike. The "engine braking" part really takes it out of you-like doing a set a hack squats at every light. I am finding I use my front brake very little, but I can't imagine ever taking it off.