Just started riding seriously. 48:15, help me tune up!
10-12-14, 11:27 PM
#26
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So you can't decide between 17 or 18t. What do you think you should do now?
A) Keep asking
B) Make a Survey
C) Flip a coin
D) Ask in another forum
E) Try both and see which one you like for yourself
I'll give you a hint: It's not A, B, C, or D.
It's not that big of a deal. It's not like a car where the transmission gear ratios are set in stone. Racers on the track change out chainrings and cogs 2-5 times during a single workout. Seriously, just buy both and see what you like.
A) Keep asking
B) Make a Survey
C) Flip a coin
D) Ask in another forum
E) Try both and see which one you like for yourself
I'll give you a hint: It's not A, B, C, or D.
It's not that big of a deal. It's not like a car where the transmission gear ratios are set in stone. Racers on the track change out chainrings and cogs 2-5 times during a single workout. Seriously, just buy both and see what you like.
10-12-14, 11:50 PM
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Or just save yourself the time and hassle and get the 18t now.
10-13-14, 07:04 AM
#28
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When I bought my 16T cog (went 42:14 to 42:16), I also ordered a lockring wrench. That, plus a chain whip (which I already had) is all the special tools you need to change cogs.
Then you can order the 16, 17, 18, 22...
Then you can order the 16, 17, 18, 22...
10-13-14, 10:55 AM
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I ride 46x18t in the mean streets of SF and get by ok -- There are some hills which are a bit much but 85% of the time its perfecto. Just do the jump the to the 18t cog -- I started at 16, then got 17 before landing on the 18. Don't learn from my mistakes 
10-13-14, 02:41 PM
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I ride mid to high 60s in gear inches on my all around fixed gear(not on the track). Over the hundred or so years that people have been riding bikes that look more or less like what we ride today, gear inches near the mid 60s have come to be considered good compromise all around gears by many for distance cyclists on fixed gears. So that might be a good place to start and then alter as necessary.
For most riding I would say that 70 gear inches +/- 5 should be a good bet depending on your legs and desires.
For most riding I would say that 70 gear inches +/- 5 should be a good bet depending on your legs and desires.
Last edited by vaultbrad; 10-13-14 at 02:54 PM.
10-13-14, 04:36 PM
#31
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48/18 (70" with 700x23 tires) is a great gear for in-town riding with lots of stops and starts, and will help you work on your spin better than that 48/15.
(Also, see if you can trade for a bigger frame.)
(Also, see if you can trade for a bigger frame.)
10-13-14, 04:37 PM
#32
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Called around in my town and was ecstatic when one shop told me they had both the 17t and 18t in stock!!!! The 18t was a Surly which I was excited about as it is a quality part (it was 35 bucks which I was cool with). Picked up my bike a few hours later and it was all done and took it for a test ride and it feels PERFECT ! I am so happy, it feels like it is riding smoother and the new gear ratio is soooo much better it's much easier on my legs but I can also get going really fast easily and maintain that speed. Also the dude working at the shop didn't even charge me for labor just the price of the part which I was also really happy about.
It's so cool you can spend $35 on a fixed gear and make such a drastic change IMO
Thanks so much for all your help, and sorry if I was a bit annoying
It's so cool you can spend $35 on a fixed gear and make such a drastic change IMO
Thanks so much for all your help, and sorry if I was a bit annoying
10-13-14, 04:46 PM
#33
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Cheap cogs tend to be stamped from sheet metal and may have poor threads that can damage your hub. A good quality cog will be machined and will likely run quieter and be easier on the hub threads.
10-14-14, 01:46 PM
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Called around in my town and was ecstatic when one shop told me they had both the 17t and 18t in stock!!!! The 18t was a Surly which I was excited about as it is a quality part (it was 35 bucks which I was cool with). Picked up my bike a few hours later and it was all done and took it for a test ride and it feels PERFECT ! I am so happy, it feels like it is riding smoother and the new gear ratio is soooo much better it's much easier on my legs but I can also get going really fast easily and maintain that speed. Also the dude working at the shop didn't even charge me for labor just the price of the part which I was also really happy about.
It's so cool you can spend $35 on a fixed gear and make such a drastic change IMO
Thanks so much for all your help, and sorry if I was a bit annoying
It's so cool you can spend $35 on a fixed gear and make such a drastic change IMO
Thanks so much for all your help, and sorry if I was a bit annoying
10-14-14, 05:35 PM
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plus one on the 48/16. especially for flat areas. gives me the speed i like while maintaining a balance for my knees. 48/18 was good for hilly spots, like a lot of sf.
10-14-14, 08:25 PM
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I'm in FL as well. I tried 48x17 for a bit and went back to 48x18 shortly after. Yes, FL is flat, but it can get pretty windy.
10-15-14, 03:54 AM
#38
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Funny thing gear selection. When I started riding fixed, I used 70 gi and was happy with that for nearly two years ... by which time you'd imagine I'd be used to it. Thing is, I started feeling as though I'd like to go down a gear if I was on a geared bike. So I added a tooth to the rear (66gi) and haven't looked back. There's nothing wrong with building up a supply of cogs over time because it's always nice to be able to make a change without going to the bike shop ... and then there's the constant compulsion to build something new (does anyone else have a bike that get's rebuilt and changed everytime you feel bored?)
10-15-14, 07:11 AM
#39
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10-16-14, 12:27 AM
#40
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Originally Posted by europa 
(does anyone else have a bike that get's rebuilt and changed everytime you feel bored?)
10-16-14, 03:30 AM
#41
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So you can't decide between 17 or 18t. What do you think you should do now?
A) Keep asking
B) Make a Survey
C) Flip a coin
D) Ask in another forum
E) Try both and see which one you like for yourself
I'll give you a hint: It's not A, B, C, or D.
It's not that big of a deal. It's not like a car where the transmission gear ratios are set in stone. Racers on the track change out chainrings and cogs 2-5 times during a single workout. Seriously, just buy both and see what you like.
A) Keep asking
B) Make a Survey
C) Flip a coin
D) Ask in another forum
E) Try both and see which one you like for yourself
I'll give you a hint: It's not A, B, C, or D.
It's not that big of a deal. It's not like a car where the transmission gear ratios are set in stone. Racers on the track change out chainrings and cogs 2-5 times during a single workout. Seriously, just buy both and see what you like.
I used to run a 53x16 (87 GI) when I still had my fg/ss (now sold, thanks a lot Justin Bieber), and I thought that felt fine after building up leg strength from spinning with a 46x16 (76 GI) for several months. Cogs are really cheap, and not to contradict carleton since his advice is always great, but is there anything holding him back from buying gears 15 through 18?
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