What's your favourite gear ratio?

It's OK, but it's not 48/19.

This should be the only permissible response in this thread.

45/17 (32c tyres, fixed). Easy enough up Powerscroft Rd, fast enough to stay in front of the neon-vest hybrid canal mashers.

48/17 25c

Still on 42x16 28c good for cruising along at 18mph, can sprint up to 23mph with out getting to flappy on the bike= short wheelbase and pedal masher at high rpm's.
Tried 42x15 was a bit meh, will try it again when legs are back from winter slackness.
42x18 a bit spinny.
42x17......... might get a sprocket and try that as 18 to spinny, 16 is about right, 15 maybe a bit much for standing starts on the old knees and muddy bridleways.

Whatever gets me up to Whitestone Pond...48x18 is about it when in reasonable shape

34/12 40c fixed

been riding 45/17 with 32c for commute and 55/16 with 25c velo/training.
I'm redesigning my fixey fleet to having only 1 bike, with a fixed/fixed rear, and been thinking of combos. One for the street/commuting, one for just general speeding, velo, crits maybe, whatever. 25c tyres.
46/16or13, 49/17or14, 55/19or16 is what I've been thinking of. I prefer the commute to be a bit easier and the speedy gear to be a bit pushier (I squat), so prefer the 46/16or13.

Was just wondering, do most of the standard fixeh/track dropouts allow for a 4t difference in the cog without changing the chain? I quite like to spin on commute so even considering 46/17 as an option.

46/18. Although tempted by 46/16. It's a spinners gear for the rolling terrain around my way and I can grind up most inclines with it.

Building my first fixed gear at the moment. Will be buying a crankset and cog soon so I was wondering if anyone can help with ratios... I find it all quite hard to understand. I live in Sheffield so it's pretty hilly, what would be the best ratio to get up hills, down them (will be running a front break also), and to skid? Thanks

That's an easy one.

Have a quick read of the 115 pages of this thread and all will become clear.

Assuming the crankset will come with a 48t chainring then a 19t or 20t cog will be good for hilly areas.

I like this calc http://www.surplace.fr/ffgc/
Personally found 43/16 a good spinny city gi. Especially for skids.

I find myself with 51/21 being perfect, matter of fact I'm quicker!

(64GI).

Not sure about going bask to 67GI now.

Dolan, 48x17
Nelson, 51x18
Mash Work, 44x17

Work bike 42x16 69GI
Weekend Bike 48x17 74GI

48x18 gets me up and over Crystal Palace twice a day 5 days a week even when the toddler isn't letting me sleep.

3 Skidpatches, fucks up your tyre pretty fast

If possible get a 47t* chainring and 17/18/19t cogs to experiment with

*prime numbers are the best

48/17 commuter
44/17 commuter (shit weather)
47/18 skidder
49/20 shopper

If you skid.

How do you stop if you don't skid?

By 'stop' I mean 'look a bawss'.

Just do.

I'm putting a 17t freewheel on SS MTB thing I'm building. What flippin size chainring should I run? Want a cruisey ratio.

And I'm using a Surly singleator - is an oval ring crazy talk or worth trying?

Sorry, I'm not down with your youth speak. Cruisey meaning relatively easy, relaxed?

For SSCX (and mtb I think) a good rule of thumb is 2:1 chainring/sprocket.

Having said that, I have a 38t chainring paired with a 18t on my cross bike. I like it but gradients can definitely take their toll.

Useful info, the chainrings I’m seeing fit that ratio well. Thanks my friend.