What's your best gear ratio when in the city just cruising around. I find myself often struggling and always behind my ride mates because of my 48:18 ratio, it feels like no matter how much i spin, I'm still behind. I have a 49t chainring right now, and i want to know what i can pair it up with, or another combination of ratio that's perfect for city riding.
by wzequantri
10 Comments
I use 46-17 but my Friends don’t have fixies yet:(
Personally for me 48×17 is perfect. Can start off with little strain, can get a decentish top speed and skids are still pretty easy
Edit: I did ride for a good 4 years on 49×17 but I find it a bit too hard to set off quickly, even if the top speed felt much better
Ran 48×14 for the speed, just worked for the quick start and stop, although if i were to change it, id revamp to 49×17 for a easier push
48:18 is mad spinny // drop your rear cog a tooth for the biggest difference – 48:17 will be much better for what you’re looking for.
With your 49 or 48, drop your cog to 17 or 16, maybe 15, which should be enough to keep up and not too much to get rolling.
My favorite was always 48-16, not as high top speed but quickness was better for city, we never worried about skid patches as we rotated the wheel every day before riding (40 miles a day average.) buddy of mine road a 52! Legs bigger than some chests!
What type of helmet is that?
Sounds like you want a gear ratio to catch up with your friends, which sounds like something more than what you have now (I guess they might be using 49×15, 51×15, just guessing).
Otherwise my experience for quick acceleration is 49×17, 49×19 or 43×19 if you want to do tracklocross.
So do you want a higher top speed without spinning out, or do you want to be able to start quickly?
I was always mostly fine with 48×18 myself, and it was only when I got into 25+ MPH that it would become an issue. I’d be bouncing a little when I got going, but that could also be due to poor fit.
Now that I’m at 48×17 though, it’s very nice, but it’s not like I’m super fast off the line. Not slow, but it takes a bit to get going as opposed to an easier ratio, so I don’t think you can have both really.
I’m going from 44 16 to 48 16 right now wish me luck
yes there’s lots of hills where I…literally every other km
51/18t