Coaster Brakes

scott not scot: i always prefer to use the biggest cog/ring to achieve the desired ratio,cos the load is spread over a greater number of teeth thus prolonging the life of the cog/ring/chain......or am i talking bollocks???....:)

Nope, that's right. But, the difference is 2T and 1T for chainring and cog respectively. That's bugger all.

If you skid, you will wear your tyres out in places quicker with the even ratio of 48/16. You have 9 skid spots whereas I have 17! :)

See here: http://www.fixed.org.au/2006/11/27/why-skid-spots/

and also....aren't 44's kinda harder to find?

Nope. Hubjub, Parker, Spa Cycles have them. Order from Will at hubjub. He's cool.