What's your favourite gear ratio?

I started with 47x18, then 48x18, tried 50x19 now I'm riding 50x18. Everything else is too spinny until I went to the 50x18 which is just right for Sheffield. Just.

I did a similar progression. 48x18 to 48x16 realising had 1 skid patch then 50x16. Interesting isn't it

Went from 48x17 to 48x18, it's better plenty fast enough but ideally would like 48x19, but alas the tpi of my old campy hubs has limited me to miche sprocket. I try not to skid anyway so no biggy.

Found this calculator on the forum, it is very useful (crank arm length DOES matter along with tyre and wheel size):
http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

cheers adipe really useful.
i would add to calculator 'age of rider' . I have tended to go lower (spinnier) as i've aged

cheers adipe really useful.
i would add to calculator 'age of rider' . I have tended to go lower (spinnier) as i've aged

you can also think you can add the 'countriness' factor or 'stop lights per mile' or such unmeasurable factors.

the aditional weight of 120 grams for having 28mm tyres instead of 23mm (light, folding ones) is not a big deal when climbing hills or bursting from a waiting for the green light position. but it does matter when you don't have to stop and rather try to keep a constant fast speed, bigger tyres would considerably slow you down given the higher surface of the air friction and rolling resistance.

that being said i hope you have this clear by now:
the crazier the traffic altogether -> the bigger the tyres and lower the gain ratio.
the more quiteness and boredom of countryside scenario, better visibility and road surface -> the bigger the gear ratio and narrower tyres.

big advice for people who race in traffic along with cars: there is a considerable drag by the surrounding cars so less air resistance. bigger tyres are welcome because they give a better comfort and better CONTROL for the eventuality of getting into potholes, braking etc.

Changed from 48X18 to 48X17. Harder but i like.

69" atm

Upgrading to 33x12 soon though - 74"

lots.

1x1

48x18 on the Fuji
49x18 on the Webster (was 49x15 for a bit, as I'd lost the 18T cog amongst the debris on my desk at work - not recommended).

53x11 on this baby.

54x18 fixed. Takes a while to get going but once you're going you fly, then you have to stop at the traffic lights and start again. But I kind of like it.

just softened up for winter, from 48x19 to 49x20

its a dream, less pressure on the knees

46x19, ss.

just softened up for winter, from 48x19 to 49x20

its a dream, less pressure on the knees

I've pretty much settled on 48/17 for longer rides that aren't really hilly and 48/19 for about town fun and hills. I have theses cogs either side of a flip flop but as I'm lazy I don't change over as often as I should. E.g. have 48/17 from Clacton at the weekend but will probably not bother changing it for a while.

53x14. Works well on the flat, not so great on the hills. Authentic TT feel on the way to work though...

I time trial on 55x13,

and 56x13 when I am feeling strong !

Back in the late fifties I rode a stripped down Robin Hood made by Raleigh (£12.10shillingsnew)
I fitted a 12 tooth fixed wheel. However I can't remember the size of the chainwheel but I could pull away with a bus from the bus stop and stay with it, no problem. this was the local sport in South East london and you could tell this by the amount of black streaks low down on the back of the bus.

I time trial on 55x13,

and 56x13 when I am feeling strong !

What sort of times are you doing on that gear?

46x18 - good all-round gear but wouldn't go any lighter. Would put on my 17 but the lockring seems stuck with not much notches left.

53x14. Works well on the flat, not so great on the hills. Authentic TT feel on the way to work though...

you ride 100GI every day to work? lol

where do you live and what is your commute??

48x14 fixed, okay up west hill road... better down.

50x16

good for the buttocks

65" (42x17) but toying with upgrading to 71" (46x17).

What sort of times are you doing on that gear?

Long 20's, short 21's for ten miles

54's and 55's for twenty-five miles

1'54's for fifty miles

But I've not been so fit over the last twelve months, as too busy to do much training.