What's your favourite gear ratio?

SoSerious how is 49/19? Planning on switching to it during the summer from 50/19.

Also gonna test 48/19 for a few days, might be a bit too spiny though.

^all of the above will feel virtually the same.
Probably more a psychological difference

Just go with whatever chainring has the most life left in it. You'll get used any of them soon enough. I did 48/20 for a month or so (was given to me as a 19t and I didn't bother counting).

48/19 is a nice, sensible ratio. I've ridden with someone doing RP laps who was on a Fuji with risers on 48/19. He kept up with us and we were all in full Lycra roadie mode. If you think it's too spinny then you need to learn to spin at a higher cadence.

48/19 was my ratio of choice during my (late) fixie skidding career. Speaking of which I must invest in a sweet fixie baike soon.

I too ran 48/19 as my daily gear for most of 2013. Did regents laps on on 53/18 yesterday and it was definitely a bit high even though the group was pretty quick.

Ah understood all points made, seems like I can't go wrong with 48-50 up front and 19 at the back. I'll have to see which I prefer over 48 or 49 but in reality as Ollie said, there won't be much difference.

JB is making a return to teh fixehh skiddah side?

Moving back to Ldn so it makes sense. Out in the sticks there's not much point seeing as I had a two bike limit at home.

Got a frame in mind yet?

48/15 within london and for my commute (like it as not too spinny), 48/14 outside if a bit hilly, flat then i flip the wheel for 48/13.

Lol bye bye knees.

Lol bye bye knees.

After few years, still running smooth ;-)

I was running 48/19, but it felt a bit too spinny to me, so I switched to 48/17 ... good all round.

39 x 14

New to fixed gear. Started up with a 46/17, as that was stock on the bike, any suggestions for taking it a bit lower? I might have ruined my knees in the last two weeks trying to skid while obviously using the wrong technique... :D
If the suggestions include a new 165mm chainset I'm all for it, since the cranks on that bike are proper shit.

New to fixed gear. Started up with a 46/17, as that was stock on the bike, any suggestions for taking it a bit lower? I might have ruined my knees in the last two weeks trying to skid while obviously using the wrong technique... :D
If the suggestions include a new 165mm chainset I'm all for it, since the cranks on that bike are proper shit.

Fit some brakes? The money you save on tyres should pay for it.

Srsly, 42-tooth chainrings are pretty standard and widely available.

Fit some brakes? The money you save on tyres should pay for it.

Srsly, 42-tooth chainrings are pretty standard and widely available.

Got a front brake on which sees much use. Brakeless is not for me. I just want to learn how to skid... you know... for impressing the girls...
Isn't 42/17 a little low though?

42/17 is absolutely fine if you're somewhat new to fixed gear riding and want to learn how to skid. I made the unfortunate mistake of learning to skid on 48/16 Brakeless .. and as a rookie to fixeh's. There really isn't a ratio that is "too low" for practising and learning skidding. Once you have learned the basics of skidding on a low-ish ratio, you'll be able to skid more comfortably on higher ratios. I find around 70GI to be the perfect ratio for skidding, maybe a bit lower to conserve one's knees. Would not recommend trying to skid in nearly track ratios unless your knees are made of steel.

Plus you can do whip skids a lot more easily at lower ratios, and they will definitely "impress teh women*"

• - I used "women" because unless you're trying to seduce under 16's then it's not appropriate innit.
  

It will be quite a jump but it's not that low, maybe buy a 44 tooth chainring first and try 44/17.

Spiiiin to wiiiiin! ^ What he said. 44/17 >>> 42/17

I just want to learn how to skid... you know... for impressing the girls...

Ahhhhh, like handbrake turns you mean?

Ahhhhh, like handbrake turns you mean?

Of course, there's nothing more sexy than a locked up tyre now is there?

@Indra & uoeno: thanks, I'll give 44/17 a try. In spite of my comments (and I hope someone managed to get the irony) I'm riding a bike to ride a bike and not to skid all the time / impress women, so that gear ratio sounds appropriate..

46/17 is 73.1 gear inches (GI), 44/17 is 69.9GI, 42/17 is 66.7GI or 46/18 is 69.0GI. All within sensible range. An 18T sprocket should be easy to find too.

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/

Although if he learns how to skid, with an 18t he'll wear out tyres a lot quicker than we would would 44/17.

Nah forget 18t, #19TForLyfe. Basically anything 74/75GI - 67/69GI is good enough, I should imagine. Once again what Indra said, BUT it would be easier for him to skid on a 18t than 17t. Depends how much he skids though, plus he has a front brake so I doubt he'll wear out any tyres at a Kid Bueno rate.

Hehe 69GI.

44x17 is the best.