What's your favourite gear ratio?

On the fine hills of Auld Reekie I am riding 46x16. Quite enough going up our precipitous streets (and I mean you, New Town, you slutty whore) but just enough to not spin out down 'em.

52 16
note that i don't ride fixed (yet).

52 16
note that i don't ride fixed (yet).

that makes my knees hurt just thinking about it. that is 85 gi (700x23).

for commuting and being a man about town i am loving 42/17 - 65 gear inches with 700x23c.

i live in crystal palace and my knees were starting to suffer on 42/16 (69 gi) on the hills.

i tried 42/18 (when i had to swap wheels with my other bike in emergency) and found it too spinny (61.4 gi).

so i switched the rear spocket to 17 and i think that might be the right balance. is still a bit spinny on the flat, but a bit easier on the knees and nice acceleration and control at low speed. easier to trackstand too.

Sorry, all a bit of a virgin to this, what's a 'keos' .... see above?!

** runs to hide under table incase gets flamed for being a newbie..... **

Sorry, all a bit of a virgin to this, what's a 'keos' .... see above?!

** runs to hide under table incase gets flamed for being a newbie..... **

This toss:
Keo's at home depot HD on Vimeo

jealous ^^pifko?

Definitely

They look really fun.

Awesome, thanks for that, should have had a more mis-spent youth! :-)

mis- spent youths are totally worth every single moment,
despite what adults say.

*m.f, did you just invert your avatar?

yeah I love inversions.

Riding London/Street:
Then 48:18 free
Now 48:19 fixed (more skid patches & more control)
Want more speed, less spin but love 19 for skid/acceleration, so trying to decide between 49:19 & 50:19
Decisions decisions! But this forum is a real help...

In the winter (snow and ice) 42:17
In the summer 48:15

It's flat here (Minnesota USA)

36:16 .... spinny spinny spinny.

*m.f, did you just invert your avatar?

Word has it he has inverted his Penis as well.

that makes my knees hurt just thinking about it. that is 85 gi (700x23).

well, berlin is kinda flat.

question though - can one be used to a certain gear ratio (free), then begin riding fixed and use the same, or is that basically impossible (or stupid)?
(no, i never rode a fixed bike in my life yet).

*edit: so i found the popcorn-thread, which lead me to various flaming threads, where i learned that it would not be impossible, but hard to skid and hard on one's knees. and that 18 teeth in the back are considered appropriate..

*

Mine is 40:15 at the moment (=72 gi) - not fixed, in fact i still have gears on the rear wheel at the moment, but the derailleurs are old and don't change very easily so i just leave it be. plus i like the exercise. Good for most things although getting up hampstead high street is more or less impossible without a lot of momentum.....

72" is the gear of kings, and queens. like pifko ;-)

66" fanks

49/19 or 68" is my favourite. Had it for ages now on 4 bikes so far, love it.

48 /18 on road
44/20 offroad, which is to high really..... I must change to 2to1 soon

11

46x17 fixed in Laandan.
Fast enough to get round town, low enough to get over anything resembling a hill though can't say I fancy trying Swains Lane on it:-0

Lots of them when leaving Bromley towards Kent, East Sussex, Alps...

39/16 on 26" BMX