Originally Posted by
pizzamania
I second this. I have ridden many happy gravel miles on a 120 spaced, caliper-braked single-speed. I like 42:17 or 42:18 as a ratio so when you're not on gravel it isn't so slow, but that's totally a personal choice.
I'd just throw some fat tires and a gear you like on there and have fun. if you end up feeling a constraint of some kind you can def upgrade later, but what you have is more than capable.
Exactly. Modern dual-pivot calipers work excellent (especially with good aftermarket pads). I started out running 42:17 but found I was mashing it much more than I needed to on the flats for the type of gravel roads I have around me so I found a lower gear was better, and actually faster.