Gear inch/ratio question

I ride a 44/ 18 set up at the moment. I love it because it makes hills ridiculously easy up, and hilarious down- around richmond park my legs are like- something fast and circular.
But i was wondering if i shouldn't change the rear sproket to a 16 or something to help with the fact i'm moving to a ridiculously flat area.
And or the fron to a 48?

Any help would be loverly.

I live and ride in a pretty much flat area and 48x18 works great for me. I had 48x16 before and didn't complain, but I can see that 48x18 is much easier on the knees. I get to work less tired than I used to, but it takes me a bit more time (probably because I'm not spinning faster).

I think the new ratio is easy enough to pedal around on flat routes, 44x18 would be a bit lighter than ideal, me thinks...

My IRO's set up at 46:17, I find that a bit spinny on the flat but easy-peasy on hills... The other one's 48:17 and that's perfect on the flat, haven't taken it up anything very steep yet tho'...

it is quite light.

i'm running 48x18, seems just right for me, in and around london

teenslain My IRO's set up at 46:17, I find that a bit spinny on the flat but easy-peasy on hills... The other one's 48:17 and that's perfect on the flat, haven't taken it up anything very steep yet tho'...

That's exactly how my IRO is set up! Was racing my mate up Hamsted Hill after Critical mass (him on gears), and he was shocked how easy I could keep up with him.

I'd go to 48 at the front. 48/18 seems about perfect for nearly all of London. Since I'm an old git, the odd roadie goes past but who cares? I get almost anywhere with virtually no effort. Also, to break rank, I've moved out of clipless and gone to big platforms with allen bolts sticking out - a better match for scrapes with 4x4s.

yeah i'm going to go with 48/18 (17 perhaps - i like odd numbers). Also requires much less tweaking,
Cheers guys.

photoben [quote]teenslain My IRO's set up at 46:17, I find that a bit spinny on the flat but easy-peasy on hills... The other one's 48:17 and that's perfect on the flat, haven't taken it up anything very steep yet tho'...

That's exactly how my IRO is set up! Was racing my mate up Hamsted Hill after Critical mass (him on gears), and he was shocked how easy I could keep up with him.[/quote]

I know what you mean, it's very satisfying... :D

I ride 46x17 a lot - great up hills, and only starts to feel spinny on the flat once you're trying to keep 25mph ticking over for any length of time. Pretty much the same as 48x18 (well, only an inch in it, init).

BringMeMyFix I ride 46x17 a lot - great up hills, and only starts to feel spinny on the flat once you're trying to keep 25mph ticking over for any length of time. Pretty much the same as 48x18 (well, only an inch in it, init).

Sometimes that extra inch makes all the difference... ;-)

its not the size......

Wider diameter tubes do feel a bit stiffer though :-O

48 20 here!

its too light to be honest but i like it
i do need to get a 19 instead but its fine really, fun and really fun up the hills

48 17... Find it good for everything around town, but should be spinning more...

I have just bought a 44, so will drop to a 16 I think, which will split the difference.

Keep the 17 for more skid patches (and the same gear as me - what a special little club)

48:16 bit of work up big hills, but i've got a few open drags on the way to work (regents and hyde park) and am already spinning a bit

Cheers Hippy...

All I need do now is learn how to skid.

(god love the front brake)

I use my front brake a lot. It's nice.

incidentally i now ride a 44:16.
it is nice.

better, would you say?

muchly.

Is anyone riding a 44 15 ?

In the whole wide world? Yes, probably.

I could.. if I swapped chainring from Raleigh to Soma.. but I wont :P