Birmingham Bike Polo Chat & BS Thread

Yeah, use Sheldon Brown's gear inch calculator, as tyre size affects the 'hardness' of the gear, so you need to factor that in too.

I used to use 38", which was low, but my suplesse is beyond reproach, so I could deal with it. Tyre, wheel and bike changes have crept it up to it's current 44" which is definitely a bit too high my style on normal courts, but I deal with it by getting out of the saddle to beast the pedals a bit more from stationary rushes. 41-43" seems best for me.

It depends on your style/abilities and where you play.

If you can get out of the saddle to sprint, and have a decent power-weight ratio you can gear up (I reckon 50% of Brummie players can't/don't do that though...) but wheelie turns/goals will be a bit harder, and you may want to develop a flowing style where you try to avoid coming to a complete halt. Also choose this option if you're naturally a low-cadence rider. Clipless pedals and stiff shoes also help you stay on top of a harder gear.

If you're heavy/weak or can't/won't get out of the saddle to sprint and are a naturally high-cadence rider who still uses flats, then go easier.

From what I can remember of your style/abilities I'd say 38-42" ish?

I have a theory that you should be spinning out a few times each game, otherwise you could be more effective in the predominant slower-paced parts by gearing down.

Phew...

Thanks gearing guru Dan,

I looked on the main polo forum but couldn't make my mind up. Too high a gear and my knee caps will want to leave like with 32/16. 22/16 feels horrid, way too low, spin out very quickly.

so with a 16 on the back, 700c wheels with skinny tyres (cant remember actual size) what do I we think is optimal simple gear?

Neil are you still giving my mallet some loving? I made another one but it's not as nice...

With Speedway, 2 new jobs and all the other crap I get upto i'll be lucky if I can get to polo much more than once a quarter, unless Thursday practice is more than theoretical?