Gearing

Welcome to the forum boynamedcrow.

Don't take it personally. Many, many topics have been covered off many, many times. There's a wealth of technical information available using the built in forum search function. I started using it when I joined the forum and continue to use rather frequently for the odd bit of info.

Come along to the various drinks (if you're in London) and you can ask people face to face which will get you much better information. Once you have met a bunch of people and can put names to faces. Then, and only then, will you know whether to take anything personally. :)

Utfs!

As in "Use The Fecking Search!"

every geeky little forum on the internet has a few select questions that none of the members will ever agree on - its personal choice....

go over to tardworld and ask them about tyres.

god help the noob that asks the question, without seeking the answer.

Yeah i can understand that and it was pretty stupid to just make a post, but sometimes it's better not to treat it like i've just pissed on your cornflakes like some have and for that i am grateful. It's just something i've been eager to change on my bike for sometime and i just wanted a quick bit of info, but now i have it.

... like i've just pissed on your cornflakes

next time, just use poyc ftw :D

52:16 would be considered high in anybodys book.

Not sure what your off to the shops for (cog or chainring) but my vote would be for a new chain ring (say 40 - 48 tooth, depending on your type of riding), and keep the cog as is.

For what its worth I ride 48:16, mainly out of town, with little or no stoping. Still, I find it a PITA untill I get past the last roundabout on my way to the country roads. Then its the gnashers nackers of gears ;)

Do you wear a helmet when you ride?

As you can tell there's no definitive answer to your question.

I would look to see, as Smallfurry suggested, what sized chainrings you can get... if you're totally wed to going brakeless I'd try to get a 45 or below if at all possible. You'll be spinning quite a bit but you'll have some hope of stopping or at least slowing enough to avoid obstacles.

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If this is for an ss, you're clearly taking the pi.

47t 18t

As you can tell there's no definitive answer to your question.

I would look to see, as Smallfurry suggested, what sized chainrings you can get... if you're totally wed to going brakeless I'd try to get a 45 or below if at all possible. You'll be spinning quite a bit but you'll have some hope of stopping or at least slowing enough to avoid obstacles.

Good point, should have stated that I have a front brake, and with 48:16 + old knees, I use it alot.

been riding a geared bike for years and as i have enough bits to make another bike, i fancy singlespeed....
now trying to use the bits i have..
52t gransport chainset - with the ring on the inside to help chainline, but was thinking of a 18t freewheel?
is that too much - around cambridge i can get up the largest of hills on a 53/19...

to be honest i'm more worried about not getting a good chainline than "spot-on" gearing, or should i try it and see?

try it and see

i run 44 - 16 on one bike (which is about a 74 GI) that is a bit spinny around town but quite manouverable

i run a 52 - 16 ( 87.8 GI's ) on another bike big gear but works great on the flat

somewhere in between these two would be a good all round gear

if you go to http://www.bikecult.com/works/wheelsizes.html you can check other gear inch / ratios and you can find one that works for you

if you have a geared bike get it in a gear you feel comfortable with and then check the GI on the bikecult chart and choose chainring and cog to match

i run 44 - 16 on one bike (which is about a 74 GI) that is a bit spinny around town but quite manouverable

i run a 52 - 16 ( 87.8 GI's ) on another bike big gear but works great on the flat

somewhere in between these two would be a good all round gear

if you go to http://www.bikecult.com/works/wheelsizes.html you can check other gear inch / ratios and you can find one that works for you

if you have a geared bike get it in a gear you feel comfortable with and then check the GI on the bikecult chart and choose chainring and cog to match

To the OP: You're not going to get a better answer to your question than that on this forum.

tbh going to this website http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html and banging in your details is a much handier way of calculating gear inches and the like.

for what it's worth, i ride 48 17 which is a lower gear than your proposed one and i wouldn't go higher, as it takes a fair bit of zip from you.

thanks al, cambridge is flattish so i will try the 52/18 and see how i get on....

I think if you're new, that might be a bit tough for you... I'd start around 46/17. 71inches is a good all rounder. Just my 2p's.

45x20 is the new 46/17.

for what it's worth, i ride 48 17 which is a lower gear than your proposed one and i wouldn't go higher, as it takes a fair bit of zip from you.

Me too. This is on country roads with little stopping though. If I was using it around town I'd go lower. Its not the hills (where I live its mad hilly), its the stop/start cycling that warrants a lower gear.

45x20 is the new 46/17.

I'm going to be training on my new 41:26 set-up for fixed climbing, when things defrost. uber spinny gears are fun :)

Howdy guys.
Have UTFS and searched Sheldon but can't get a simple answer to this;
Have been running 42x16 in my stock Plug for about 9 months, around 25miles/day and it is now a little spinny for some of the longer rides I'm doing. I don't think I have become massively stronger but would like a bit bigger gear to push.
Would changing up the chainring be reasonably straightforward or would it need new chain, cranks etc.
Likewise would simply changing the sprocket have any significant problems.

Sorry if there is a really obvious resource with this info but I couldn't see it.

Cheers
SI

oh, lordy........merge tastic

UTFG

[ame="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=changing+chainrings&meta=&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai="]changing chainrings - Google Search[/ame]

just change the cog, easier and cheapest way to go.

look for a Dura Ace 15t sprocket.