I’m building up my first fixed gear project and it’s getting pretty close to crankset buying time. My knowledge of gearing ratios is pretty minimal and I’m kinda stumped as to what ratio would be good to start out with.
Hobart’s got quite a few hills. Nothing too massive (apart from the big mountain behind us) but enough to ensure that you spend a lot of time climbing out of the city centre.
Can anyone recommend a good starting ratio, keeping in mind that I haven’t ridden fixed before, and my calves are made of tin rather than titanium.
I run 47x20 (62 inches) here in Melbourne, which is lower than most. I think it’s a good ‘around town’ gear as it’s not too hard to get going from a standstill and is low enough to give you the ability to spin up slight hills and not have to crank too hard up steeper inclines. It’s pretty spinny on the flat, but I like riding that way. I’m tempted to go to a 46X20 which is 60 inches, but I’m not sure if that might be too short to be able to maintain a decent head of speed. We’ll see.
i’m in brisbane and use a 44/16 for work. that works out to be about 72 or 73.
lets me make as many trips up spring hill per day as i need, and doesn’t make my pelvis explode on the downhills.
i run a front brake on my work bike tho.
46/19 on my brakeless.
was running 44 18, but it really was a little light i guess. thats about 65.
commute 25km every day in and out of Sydney (which is very hilly…) on a 40:16 (which by my calc (chainring x 27 / sproket) gives me 67.5 inchs.
Sometimes use 52:18 (78 inches) when I go on longer rides - can still make it up the big hills but it is a gring and I don’t want to damage those nice supply knees…
Hobart is hilly - so I’d recommed sub 70 if you want to look after yourself.
