I’m currently running 48/17 but it’s way to spinning on flats.. is there another ratio that is better on flats and still is good up hills
by Maageklatten
I’m currently running 48/17 but it’s way to spinning on flats.. is there another ratio that is better on flats and still is good up hills
by Maageklatten
9 Comments
It’s always a trade-off and completely up to you to decide.
Only advice: do not use 48/16 as it sucks for skid patches.
Better/good is personal preference in this case. A ratio that allows you go faster on the flats is going to be harder uphill, simple as that. It’s the big compromise of riding fixed. Changing 1 tooth on the cog is equivalent to a 3 tooth change on the chainring. Cogs tend to be cheaper than chainrings so, if you’re on a budget, that might affect what change you go with. If you’re brakeless, or you skid a lot, you’ll have to mindful of skid patches. Use this to help you figure out what ratio you might want to try:
https://www.surplace.fr/ffgc/
As noted, it’s a trade game.
I’m running 52/14 and it’s great on flats and very fast. But I would hate to dig hills up and even down because the spin would get away from me I feel.
I have a nice paved trail where I can get up to 20 miles each way that is very flat tho…. 🤪
I Ride 48/15 in Hamburg but for Medium hills you got to stand up and sweat… so wouldnt recommend if you ride in a hilly place.
47:17
I just changed over from 48:16 and it has been an easy up and given me a higher top speed
Try this link [here](https://www.surplace.fr/ffgc/)
You want to ensure multiple skid spots and cadence
Go up 49 then 50. Next, go back down to 48 and swap out the rear cog down to 16 and see how that feels so you can work your way uo to 49 and 50 again. I use to ride clipless when I started from a 49/16 on 167.5, then up one tooth down to 165. Mind you, I haven’t rode fixed for a minute but when I got my new bike 2nd hand I thought I would’ve been fine but it turned out my legs completely forgot riding (48/17 w/ 165) that my left leg was shaking after finishing going downhill with all these crazy F-1 racing turns that I couldn’t get the straps in my shoes while spinning because tire skidding was my only option to not die at night with no lights. My dumbass dipped the train too early to take a metro home but I was to excited to go ride fixed-gear again.
Just spin, I was doing 50kph on 46:17
Spinning will improve your cardio a lot more, improve your pedalstroke movement and improve bike handling
Larger gears can cause too much grinding, which will also grind down your joints (especially your knees)
Unless you are doing strengthening excersizes for your knees, you shouldn’t run bigger than 52:17, that is more plenty for street, 49:17 is a goated gear
50×17 in the streets