48x18 vs 48x19

I am planning on changing the cog on my Fuji, as the standard 48x15 ratio is a bit high.
Is there a big difference between having 18 and 19 at the back?
I realize the number of skid patches is different and 19T will most likely need getting a new chain.
I also thought briefly about 17 at the back but the difference between 17 and 15 may be too small.
My current fixed is 44x18 and this is too much spinning.
I also thought about going for different chainring, but the FSA crappy cranks from the FUji Track come with sort of dished one and a swithc will probably screw up my chainline.
So what is the advice?

I've done some number crunching, and I can tell you that there will be a one tooth difference.

The rest is up to you.

I run 48/18. I tried going one tooth down to 48/17, mainly for skid patches, but also to glide a bit more and spin a bit less on longer runs. What a change it made, for the worse. Although it gave me more top end speed, that was all I got. The bike went from quick, agile and responsive to a beast I had to man handle around. If I saw a gap in the traffic I couldn't spin up and be there in a blink, it was suddenly hard work.

I reckon 48/18 would feel very snappy for you coming off 15t. Fuji give you that default gearing - around 84gi - because they sell it as a track bike.

Going 48/19 for my own use would be too far in the other direction. If you want more skid patches you can do this:

• find your skid patches after a little wearing in (there will be three if running 48/18)
  
• Set one of them to be touching the ground while cranks are horizontal
  
• Remove chain from rear sprocket
  
• Rotate wheel so that the patch touching the ground is now halfway between two skid patches
  
• Make sure cranks are still horizontal
  
• Stick the chain back on rear sprocket.
  
  

Long answer, hope it helps - and that you chain is long enough even for the 18t.

19, best for a larger number of skid patch.

I came off an 16/52, so 19/48 felt a bit spinny, but after 2 to 3 weeks spinning, I got used to it and cycling is a lots more fun especially in the central of London famous London.

don´t give a fuck about tyres wear when skidding? go for 18, either way it´ll feel comfortable.

Thanks for the answer guys.
I will probably go for the 18, since I can skid with either leg doing the pushing/pulling and that should make 6 patches, right?

amusing that people are choosing gearing by skid patches rather than GI

use the gear that feels best for you FTFO, and HTFU

i run 48/17 and am saving for a new sprocket!

FTFO AND HTFU would be?:)

Thanks for the answer guys.
I will probably go for the 18, since I can skid with either leg doing the pushing/pulling and that should make 6 patches, right?

Wrong. That ambidextrous skidding thing works with prime number chain rings (43, 47 etc). You get 3 patches with 48/18.

amusing that people are choosing gearing by skid patches rather than GI

use the gear that feels best for you FTFO, and HTFU

what he said

happy riding

will your chain be long enough?

or will you have to buy a new one,or get some more links?

hmmmm?

FTFO AND HTFU would be?:)

BMMF will be along shortly to explain this to you

I don't know what FTFO means, and don't care to either. Acronyms are SLY.

I haven't a clue either, but everyone says it all the time so it must be right

amusing that people are choosing gearing by skid patches rather than GI
use the gear that feels best for you FTFO, and HTFU

It's not on the track is it so skidding and how fast your tyres wear out from doing so is an issue. Grumpy old bastard :P

48x19 FTW

I'm shit at the search function so haven't worked out FTW either

For The Win

JFGI = Just Fucking Google It

For The Win - apparently.

I always thought it was Fuck That Whack.

I ride 47 x 18. Spinny, spinny.

For The Win.

FTFO FTW BTW!

@Numeryk: Why not:

• buy 17t sprocket, put it on the bike with the 44t chainring - about 68gi
  
• put the 18t sprocket on the bike with 48t chainring - about 70gi
  
  

You can then enjoy both bikes for the price of a single sprocket.

As for worrying about skid patches, why not do as jbcommuter says and rotate your sprocket a couple of teeth inside the chain every few weeks.

I have had a set of conti gatorskins on for almost a year, although not the most prolific skidder I have been known to let a big one rip on occasions. Having rolled on 3 skid patches for 6 months, then 9 for the next 6, my tyres are hardly marked and will probably do another year. 10,000 miles on one set of rubber is good value in my eyes.

It's not on the track is it so skidding and how fast your tyres wear out from doing so is an issue. Grumpy old bastard :P

is it fuck, HTFU and use the right gearing.

but 48/19, yeah. it's a good gear for some of us.

Grumpy old, pisshead fuck

Cuntyflaps, ya still gotta get the gearing right but why not choose a nice gear with more skid patches. It ain't that hard sheeeet!

As for worrying about skid patches, why not do as jbcommuter says and rotate your sprocket a couple of teeth inside the chain every few weeks.

A much easier way of explaining it...

Cuntyflaps, ya still gotta get the gearing right but why not choose a nice gear with more skid patches. It ain't that hard sheeeet!

eventually I'll settle on 46/17 - the right gi and skid patches for the whole family

I was talking to RPM. I started here with 46x17.. then 44x17.. then 48x19..