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opinions on gearing

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

opinions on gearing

Old 09-01-08, 05:42 PM
  #1  
GRHebard
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opinions on gearing

hello everyone,
ive been riding my fixie for a while now (since about febuary) and im starting to get into tricks.
we dont have a local velodrome, so im not too concerned about gearing for track, i do ride long distance, but now that im going to be living closer to campus i dont need such tall gearing, so id like to have the bike set up for tricks/alley cat

right now i have a 48T/16T chainring and cog (3:1 ratio)
i like the look of a smaller chainring, but what is too small, would a 44T ring look weird?

im thinking any of:
44T/15T (2.933:1) would that even be a noticable change?
46T/16T (2.875:1) this seems like a good ratio...
45T/16T (2.813:1) is that too short of a gear?

id like to still have decently tall gearing because i like to mash, and go fast,
but i'd like short gearing for wheelies and other tricks.

any input in appreciated
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Old 09-01-08, 05:48 PM
  #2  
johnprolly
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44:16 great. I ride it daily on my commuter.

Spinning keeps oxygen flowing through your muscles and builds better form. It'll also be great for stop and go conditions like a city. When I was back home in NC, it felt a little bit too low, but that was mostly because it's really flat there.
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Old 09-01-08, 08:20 PM
  #3  
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39/14... same gearing as 44/16 thats what i run... i'll be running 33/12 soon
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Old 09-01-08, 09:55 PM
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I'm thinking that it really depends on personal pref. Try it and if you like it then go with it.
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Old 09-01-08, 11:51 PM
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GRHebard
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i think i might try 45:16
because then i can save a few bucks buy not buying a new cog
i think that should be good.
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Old 09-02-08, 12:01 AM
  #6  
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PS thanks for the input guys,
if anyone else has any ideas, feel free to post them up. i need to make sure that i have a 3/32" chain and i cant do that until the morning, so i'll order this tomorrow at lunch. along with some new pedals and clips

good deal.
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Old 09-02-08, 12:06 AM
  #7  
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https://students.washington.edu/denny...ring_denny.jpg

I use that chart (I htink it's pretty accurate for 700cx23) and find that anything between 73-75 is pretty comfy for me (but I like to spin up more than most).

I'd strongly recommend for the 45/16 for the 16 skid patches :-)
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Old 09-02-08, 12:07 AM
  #8  
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Here's a great calculator for gear ratio and skid patches.

https://rabbit.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html
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Old 09-02-08, 04:10 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Gambutrol
https://students.washington.edu/denny...ring_denny.jpg

I use that chart (I htink it's pretty accurate for 700cx23) and find that anything between 73-75 is pretty comfy for me (but I like to spin up more than most).

I'd strongly recommend for the 45/16 for the 16 skid patches :-)

I'm gonna raise you one and say 46/17. 17 skid patches FTW. I used to ride 48/16. Dropped it down to 46/17 and I'm happy as can be.
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