What's your favourite gear ratio?

Just discovered 49x17 by accident - forced into buying a 49 ring when the 48 i wanted wasn't available. Gear of the gods.

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.

What sort of speed would you comfortably cruise at on a 48/19?

Just discovered 49x17 by accident - forced into buying a 49 ring when the 48 i wanted wasn't available. Gear of the gods.

Thats what I run, found it a little strong at first when I switched from SS 48/18 but now it seems ok. Still cant spin and hold for too long much over 30mph.

47/18, this is a 68.6 inch gear on a 23mm x 700c tyre/wheel, I need to get over Ridgeway hill without blowing up my hr monitor or using the two foot gear! Spin out on descents at 43ish kmh which is why I use front and rear brakes.

Swapped from 46/16 freewheel to 46/16 fixed, it's the same going fast which is fine but stopping/slowing is crazy hard. More than happy with a slower spinny ride and more skid patches would probably be a good idea would 39 or 41 on the front make it less a beast or should I be looking at a 19 or so for the back or both?

I have a 17 on the way for the back which was going to go on anyways for skid patches but yeah the front...

edit - oh and at one point it felt like the spd cleat was going to rip out of my shoe, that's bad technique right?

keep your chainring, 46/19 will provide the slower spinnier ride.
switch to 46/17 if you find it MUCH to spinny.

push more and pull less. get more used to resisting forward momentum at lower ratrio
xxx

keep your chainring, 46/19 will provide the slower spinnier ride.
switch to 46/17 if you find it MUCH to spinny.

push more and pull less. get more used to resisting forward momentum at lower ratrio
xxx

Will repeat the ride tomorrow after work when hopefully the other sprocket has arrived so 46/17 instead of 46/16 but I don't think that's going to do much. Will order a 19t now so I can do a few rides on the weekend with it.

Will I survive on 47/19 given it will be my first fixed ride, plus no brakes?

Took a while until I decided on that ratio, ride home is elevated/steep, but not extreme. Should be survivable until I get a hang of it/get in better shape. BUT I HAVE DOUBTS :)

Leave a fucking brake on you numpty.

No perfect gear is going to make you a brakeless god . Leave a brake on, become expert at stopping/skidding or whatever. Make another decision then. If you have DOUBTS, then do as Snotty says.

I will take it really easy in the beginning, just short, slow rides for a few days. I'll have a picture pretty soon should I get brakes or leave it without.

Transitioning to brakless without ever riding fixed before is a good way to pick yourself up a Darwin award.

^^ Agreed, a front brake would be a good idea.

Fuckbrakes.

Get a gopro.

Lots of money to have it crashed, not to mention harm myself and/or others in the process.

Like I said, after the bike gets put together, it will be 'backroad' test rides, it won't take much to see will I manage without or should I put it in garage for another month until front brake gets ordered and fitted...

Brakes thread thataway >>>

Fuckbrakes.

Get a gopro.

:))

You have all that kit, but it'll take you a full month to get a simple brake installed? It sounds like you never wanted a brake to begin with. Its your choice at the end of the day.

Uberbelm, you're doing fucking backwards, start with a brake > get the hang of riding it > stop using the brake unless you have to > remove the brake > realise it's daft > put brake back on.

...it will be my first fixed ride, plus no brakes?

Pottering around and pram speeds trying not to die on a bike shaped can't stop wont stop topshop fixeh. That shit was ridiculous 5 years ago, now it's unforgivable.

belm

Lots of money to have it crashed, not to mention harm myself and/or others in the process.

Like I said, after the bike gets put together, it will be 'backroad' test rides, it won't take much to see will I manage without or should I put it in garage for another month until front brake gets ordered and fitted...

Brakes thread thataway >>>

Your going to want a break for the first few times you hit a steep hill, descending can quickly get away from you if your not used to it

Your going to want a break...

Provence I very nice at this time of year.

lol my bad brake**

47/19 for a first time, good choice?

With a brake, yeah it'll be fine.