Originally Posted by
big john
How does that work? You can just move the chain over by hand? Do you have to adjust the wheel position?
I dismount long enough to work the quick release and slide the wheel forward in the dropout - only a little is needed. Then I switch from the 44x17/70-in pavement gear to the 42x19/60-in gravel gear, barely touching the chain really, snug it back up, tighten the q/r and go. I think with practice I can make it a 30-second or less procedure. The wheel winds up in the same spot in the dropout, though I suppose I could run the 44x19 for a 64-in gear; I would have to alter the chain length and fiddle with things to get 42x17/67-in to work, and it's not worth it to me. The other side of the flip/flop hub currently wears a 17/19T White Industries Dos Eno freewheel, but I really would prefer a 20/22T unit - unless I just grab a 21 or 22T single-speed freewheel and call it done. That would get me down in the 50 to 54-in range for gentle singletrack, if I felt so inclined.