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Single speed 12T freewheel?

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Old 02-23-14, 09:51 AM
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TheOutdoorsman
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Single speed 12T freewheel?

Hi, I have a 38T crankset with a 16T freewheel. It is too slow for me, my legs want to go faster than my wheel will turn. So I am looking for possibly a 12T. Anyone recommend any? Thanks
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Old 02-23-14, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by TheOutdoorsman
Hi, I have a 38T crankset with a 16T freewheel. It is too slow for me, my legs want to go faster than my wheel will turn. So I am looking for possibly a 12T. Anyone recommend any? Thanks
At that point, I think I would be looking to swap chainrings and leave the rear cog alone. A 52/16 is pretty damn fast, though you may regret hills (I run 52/17 fixed and it's actually pretty awesome) or maybe a 42/16 if you are on the fence about ratcheting up the GI's.
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Old 02-23-14, 10:09 AM
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Good luck finding a 12T single freewheel.
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Old 02-23-14, 10:23 AM
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Once you get that small, it becomes a "driver" which is what modern BMX bikes use. Its kinda like a freewheel.... but its not.
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Old 02-23-14, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by steve-in-kville
Once you get that small, it becomes a "driver" which is what modern BMX bikes use. Its kinda like a freewheel.... but its not.
And using a BMX "driver" would require replacing the rear wheel with one built around a BMX hub.

I wonder why the OP doesn't consider a larger chainring instead? Even if this meant replacing the crank, the cost would be similar to a new wheel using the BMX hub.
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Old 02-23-14, 10:55 AM
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OP will need a new chain, but still cheaper than having a rear wheel made.
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Old 02-23-14, 12:59 PM
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52x17
On the street...lol right
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Old 02-23-14, 03:17 PM
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Thanks all, that is a much better idea...I appreciate it
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Old 02-23-14, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by GENESTARWIND
52x17
On the street...lol right
Yeah, dude, 52x17 on the street, brakeless. In farking Denver. Have any other snark you'd like made fun of? I have resisted calling you out on your dumbassery, but this one is personal. I commute everyday, 16miles round trip, from Aurora to Lodo:


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Old 02-23-14, 05:40 PM
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I just happen to know that from Aurora to Lodo is about 16 miles each way and if you take the bike path under 225 and the Kennedy golf course
You would be walking your bike.
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Old 02-23-14, 05:45 PM
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Evans and Quebec to Wazee is my route. We live in "Denver" but it may as well be Aurora.

Also, we should get together. I rode from my house to Red Rocks a few months ago on this same bike.
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Old 02-23-14, 05:47 PM
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My exact route, for anyone interested. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/1444...d39.678025!3e1
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Old 02-23-14, 07:08 PM
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Old 02-23-14, 07:24 PM
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Yeah enjoy your knees while they last.

I ride 52x19, guess I'm not cool.
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Old 02-23-14, 07:26 PM
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My knees are quite fine, thank you. Been riding gears this tall or taller for years, since I used to race for Clemson.

Also, you are the one that chose to open your mouth and put your foot straight into it. Way to go, dorkus.
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Old 02-23-14, 07:41 PM
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What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 02-23-14, 07:41 PM
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Threads been hijacked...
I've got to say the 52x17 doesn't seem that ridiculous at first glance, my Kilo WT came with 48x16 which is very similar and that bike is marketed as a commuter meant for road use. If you ride at 22mph on the flats it might make some sense. What makes it a little ridiculous isn't the ratio, it is that ratio plus the brakeless setup on the street. Having to walk a bike is one thing but you should consider a front brake for emergencies if nothing else. Ever break or drop a chain, break a crank arm, shear a spindle? Things happen.
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Old 02-23-14, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by john4789
Threads been hijacked...
I've got to say the 52x17 doesn't seem that ridiculous at first glance, my Kilo WT came with 48x16 which is very similar and that bike is marketed as a commuter meant for road use. If you ride at 22mph on the flats it might make some sense. What makes it a little ridiculous isn't the ratio, it is that ratio plus the brakeless setup on the street. Having to walk a bike is one thing but you should consider a front brake for emergencies if nothing else. Ever break or drop a chain, break a crank arm, shear a spindle? Things happen.
Not in Colorado where ganja is legal.
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Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
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Old 02-23-14, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by john4789
Threads been hijacked...
I've got to say the 52x17 doesn't seem that ridiculous at first glance, my Kilo WT came with 48x16 which is very similar and that bike is marketed as a commuter meant for road use. If you ride at 22mph on the flats it might make some sense. What makes it a little ridiculous isn't the ratio, it is that ratio plus the brakeless setup on the street. Having to walk a bike is one thing but you should consider a front brake for emergencies if nothing else. Ever break or drop a chain, break a crank arm, shear a spindle? Things happen.
Valid criticism though I choose not to for various reasons that aren't really justified nor quantifiable. That isn't what he said, though, and I never mentioned my brake status until GSW decided to interject his opinion as to someone elses strengths and ability to pilot. I do my own work and I am well aware of the conditions of parts and assemblies I run on my own transportation. Overall, the conditions you mention, aside from a dropped chain/broken chain, can happen at any time to any bike out of maintenance. It isn't limited to brakeless rides and will result in a crash or near crash every time, brakes or not.

Regardless, I offered sane and usable advice it the thread, second post in. I mentioned my own ratio to explain just how far the usable range is for that rear cog he currently has. Not my fault someone wanted to bloviate about crap he has no understanding of.
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Old 02-23-14, 07:58 PM
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Bloviate ?
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What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 02-23-14, 09:55 PM
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Bloviate is my favorite English word. But, unfortunately, in this context it seemed a bit forced.
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Old 02-23-14, 10:46 PM
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And I thought about mentioning my 46/14...
I do want a smaller chainring though
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Old 02-24-14, 02:13 AM
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Originally Posted by robyr
My knees are quite fine, thank you. Been riding gears this tall or taller for years, since I used to race for Clemson.

Also, you are the one that chose to open your mouth and put your foot straight into it. Way to go, dorkus.
Mad street cred yo.

By the way, no foot in this mouth. Only booze
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Old 02-24-14, 09:54 AM
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Find your bcd and up chainring a sprocket that small on a commuting bike is kind of ridiculous

Originally Posted by Fiveflat
And I thought about mentioning my 46/14...
I do want a smaller chainring though
I just did a metric on a 47/14
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Old 02-24-14, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by spandexsuperman
Find your bcd and up chainring a sprocket that small on a commuting bike is kind of ridiculous

I just did a metric on a 47/14
Hate to hijack even more. bcd?
What's the difference between my 46/14 and a 52/xx as long as the ratio is the same? Obviously I want a lower ratio but just curious why you say small on a commuter is ridiculous?
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