Joined: 06 May 2006Posts: 62Location: Afloat somewhere in Puget Sound
I've been thinking about converting my old Schwinn mountain bike frame with horizontal droputs to a fixed gear to try riding a fixie for a while. What sort of gear ratio do people typically run around here? I'd probably mostly be using it for my commute between South Park/Georgetown and the U-District, but I sometimes also make detours to Capitol Hill and such on my way home. Suggestions?
Thanks,
--Matt
lantius
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:49 pm
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
i rock 66 gear inches on my fixie and 67 on my singlespeed mtb. some folks run significantly more, but i like my knees and i'm a fat kid.
henry
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:26 pm
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
most people run right around 70, i think mines like 69 0r 71 or something. it's pretty cool.
I run a 72 on my everyday bike, and it's good. My polo bike has a 60" 'high gear' (fixed), which is a little low for flat stuff if you wanna go for miles, but good for climbing capitol hill on platform pedals.
I'd recommend anywhere from 68 to 72 inches for you. Higher will make you happier on the flats, lower will make you happier on the hills.
But mostly, it doesn't matter. That's what I love about fixed gears - no wondering if you're in the wrong gear, no thinking. Just pedaling.
keyholefish
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:47 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 268Location: somerville, ma
I rocked 71 GI fixed, and found it a good balance between going up and down. 69 would be fine too.
I'm riding 63/freewheel right now. I can go up and down hills fine, but the flats suck - I can't go over 22 for very long.
Last edited by keyholefish on Mon May 15, 2006 8:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
josh m
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:32 pm
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
i rode like 75(?)there... it sucked. 40x14 is ok for portland, but pure torture in seattle.
but then again. i don't think ahead.
now i ride like 69. it works well for portland.
Though, that might change on friday when I buy new cranks.
i was riding 66 for about a week. that sucked. i got really tired of spinning all the time.
lantius
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:48 pm
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
yeah, i should clarify that on the rollers at the cbc bike to work month party i kept up 22.9mph average for about 8 minutes and that worked me over. so 66 is definitely low if you want to hammer for any length of time, but i have never had trouble that i can remember keeping up on a .83 ride.
josh, to say that you are one that does not think ahead, that might be the understatement of the year.
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:38 am
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
I'm pushing 63 now, and it's too shallow. I've been thinking about going up a bit to the 66-69 range so I don't kill myself.
the dreaded ben
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:23 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
dennyt wrote:
That's what I love about fixed gears - no wondering if you're in the wrong gear, no thinking. Just pedaling.
no wonder the thinking's hard, you're not even a rocket scientist yet.
mork the delayer
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:41 am
Joined: 06 Apr 2006Posts: 548Location: Providence, RI
If I remember my numbers right I'm running 73.6". (42/15 700 X 23)
Climbing east through downtown from the waterfront can be a bitch, but other than that it works out pretty well(Capitol Hill isn't that bad). I don't do much feet-off-the-pedals flying. For reference, I only weight 130 lbs.
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 1466Location: on the lake
48 on the front.
switch between 17 and 19, 74.5/66.6
on running the 19 now, race season, keep the legs fresh. sweet on the ups, ok on the downs (brakeless) ok on flats but i don't mind spinning.
hooking up the 16, 79.1 for the westside. pdx is flat yo! gear up!
lantius
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
sweet, i have the same race gear ratio as justin! i must be a kickass racer type, sweet.
joby
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:31 pm
goes to elevenJoined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 3899Location: The Cloud
If it ain't broke...
:-)
wanderlyte
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 4:36 pm
Joined: 06 May 2006Posts: 62Location: Afloat somewhere in Puget Sound
joby wrote:
If it ain't broke...
:-)
Yeah, but it is broke (well, sadly neglected and currenlty unridable), and to fix it would make me less broke than getting it rolling again unfixed. Or something like that :-)
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably start with something around 67 - 71 and see how that goes.
--Matt
keyholefish
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:00 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 268Location: somerville, ma
That's why I went fixed too. I was so broke I couldn't maintain my road bike anymore. I should have kept the parts, though.
Aaron
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:00 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
I was given a sticker at Bicycle Jesus. It says:
ONE LESS FIXED GEAR
henry
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:52 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
Aaron wrote:
I was given a sticker at Bicycle Jesus. It says:
ONE LESS FIXED GEAR
haha i really hope you put that on your (fixed) colnago. that's so many levels of snarkiness piled up, i just love it.
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1337
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rocket mechanic
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sorry, can't make it!
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Grumpy Greeb
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goes to eleven
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