Gear ratios for no brakes riding...

maybe he doesn't want to?

didnt say he did, its just that since he said he "can't", that to me implies that he tried and couldnt.

I just cant get the hang of it. Never been able to really. I can skid the rear if I pull the front brake to unweight the rear. But I can never be bothered to lean forward and skid properly

I dont ike the idea of skidding because of my weight weenie issues. I prefer to package my braking surface in two little blocks. The idea of running heavier, thicker tyres, to skid. Brings me out in a cold sweat. ;)

Running 41:23 a while back made it near impossible to reduce speed without skidding. I only run this for serious climbs, but I found this really annoying.

Running 48: 16/17 lets me slow down using my legs without runinning the risk of skidding.

I find i can skid sitting down if the road is a little slippery, its happened a few times when i have simply been resisting on the pedals to slow down.

If either of you really would "like" to skid then i recommend what i did, i went and found a gravel path and skidding was very easy, i then tryed the same technique on tarmac, and finally remember that pulling up on your leading foot is very important to iniate a skid.

I really don't think gear ratio is as important as technique, although it's definitely easier to learn on a low ratio. I learned on an easiesh gear in the wet to get the hang of it, but now it's easy enough to skid from the saddle, regardless of traction/gear (within reason). Having the right technique provides you with very good leverage.

Although, having watched my Armadillo steadily disintegrate and considering how ineffective it is 90% of the time, I think it's pretty dumb.

@ 5.00 in that video... I used to open big doors like that.

On topic go with a brake, it's scary when a tourist bus turns up on a quiet little route.

Even more on topic, get off the road altogether! It amazes me how some people are selfish enough to ride a bike they can't stop.
If you want to get hit by a car, by all means do so, but if you take out someone's grandma because you're too incompetent to ride safely, you'd better hope to God I don't see it.

And for that reason, you're a nob cheese.

Even more on topic, get off the road altogether! It amazes me how some people are selfish enough to ride a bike they can't stop.
If you want to get hit by a car, by all means do so, but if you take out someone's grandma because you're too incompetent to ride safely, you'd better hope to God I don't see it.

And for that reason, you're a nob cheese.

At no point has he said he cant stop, his question was -

well i have been riding 46 19 but wud 46 13 or 14 be easyer to skid? and other tricks?

was your granny ran over by a brakless fixxie skidder?

Yes, but it just sounds like you need to practice. I ride 42/16 and can skid quite easily.

well i have been riding 46 19 but wud 46 13 or 14 be easyer to skid? and other tricks?

+1

I really don't think gear ratio is as important as technique, although it's definitely easier to learn on a low ratio. I learned on an easiesh gear in the wet to get the hang of it, but now it's easy enough to skid from the saddle, regardless of traction/gear (within reason). Having the right technique provides you with very good leverage.

At no point has he said he cant stop, his question was -

was your granny ran over by a brakless fixxie skidder?

No, my granny used to ride on the track though when she was younger, awesome woman.
And a brakeless kid skidded into the back of me last night so I'm freshly pissed off. If they did that to my granny I'd be pretty gutted.

You're right he didn't say he can't stop, but he's asking about gear ratios, which is a very basic subject. I'd say there's a good chance he can't stop properly.

My great granny was a suffragette. Threw herself in front of a fixie skidder being ridden by a noob ;)

I'm a new fg rider (Ridgeback Solo) and the ratio my bike came fitted with is 42/16. My commute has no hills worth mentioning so I want to use a bigger ratio. Looking at the calculator a 42/13 would be ideal for the amount of skid patches, but I am concerned about the gear inches (86.5") and impact on my knees. A few questions:

1) What's the difference between having the same ratio with a large chain ring and a small one, i.e. 42/13 and 48/15 which are roughly the same ratio? Being able to skid would be nice but not a priority at the moment as I have brakes.

2) If I did end up swapping the chainring to a 48t would I likely need to buy a new (longer) chain as well?

3) For the rear sprocket I was potentially looking at the Surly 13t Track Fixed Wheel sprocket for £20 - is this considered a good model?

4) What tools (sorry, complete beginner) do I need to change the sprocket? Are there any good guides on how to do this?

Sorry for not posting a new thread but I don't appear to have the permissions to do so as I just joined the forum.

86 is too high. Read some of the other threads.

Too high for what? I have been reading the threads and people are talking about 50/14 (95") as an epic ratio...

If you've not ridden fixed before 86" is plenty. Start on 42/16 and go from there - spinning is good.

Answers

1) More tolerant of bad chain line with big rings, slightly less wear

2) Yes

3) That's expensive - you can get Dura Ace sprockets for a tenner at wiggle

4) Chain whip, lock ring tool, grease. It's very easy

Go here. Read. Absorb.

Too high for what? I have been reading the threads and people are talking about 50/14 (95") as an epic ratio...

if you think you need more than around 70" (42 X 16) sell your bike and buy a car or get the train, or contact a pro team

I rock 50/18 fixed and brakeless but i don't skid, just read the road and slow/steer when i need to

Too high for what? I have been reading the threads and people are talking about 50/14 (95") as an epic ratio...

Too high for most people riding on the street.

Spin to win
Grind to maligned confined misdefined undermined stuff.

I was riding 50/15 and could skid but always used the brake and controlled with legs. Switched to 48/16, easier to skid but still didn't feel like I had good control.

Swapped to 48/18 this week and I feel a lot more in control of my speed with just my legs and skidding, to the point where I haven't really used my brake at all.

I get a better work out on my 34/21 polo gear. my legs feel much better after a 20 mile ride on that. it's a good way to control your smooth leg speed.. ride 2 hours a day on that damn gear!

Thanks for the pointers upstart (and everyone else), have read Sheldon Brown's site a lot already, very informative.

I will stick with the 42/16 for a couple of weeks while I get used to riding a fixed gear, but will almost certainly change to a 13t cog, my commute is from Balham to Vauxhall, there is a lot of flat road and not that many lights... I can't see the benefit of my legs spinning around when the only disadvantage of having a higher ratio is having to stand up on the pedals when you start off or going up a hill.

I ride 42/15 (about 73 GI) and don't struggle to get about quickly if I need. Spinning is good cardio exercise too :)

I live in Balham so give me a shout if you need a hand changing cogs - I've got a few old cogs kicking around you're welcome to try too once you start experimenting.

Too high for what? I have been reading the threads and people are talking about 50/14 (95") as an epic ratio...

The term "50/14" has a very specific and poignant meaning on this forum. It is the nickname of a very valued forum member who has recently died. Do not be misled by references to him / it!

Thanks mashton, makes more sense now as that does seem like a high ratio compared to everything else that's been mentioned.

upstart - cheers, may drop you a message in a couple of weeks :-)

a) what mashton said.

b) I'm also in Balham and run down to Elephant on 49:19 (God's own ratio). Stick with it for a few weeks and you'll be fine. I think everyone feels under-geared when first switching to fixed as a result of mashing an overly large gear before. 68 - 70" is just right for around town.