Single speed.. go faster?

Hi,

I've recently bought a single speed bike. I'm liking it but would really like to get some more speed. I don't know much about this but obviously I'm looking for a smaller gear on the back / larger gear on the front.. I took it to the shop today and the guy said that the rear gear was as small as a freewheel would take and that the front was a 52 and that it would cost quite a bit (£70) to get anything larger.

Has anyone got any ideas about what I should buy / fix for some more speed? Other than turning the pedals faster.. :D

Cheers,

Jon

time for gears

Gears

how big is the cog on the back? A 52-tooth chainring at the front is a pretty big gear....

The cog in the back is about 5cm in diameter.. Don't know what that relates to in cycle speak.

How about large cranks? Is that a good idea?

Shave your legs

Pedal faster.

count the teeth on the cog at the back.

also, ride down hills.

Thanks guys some good ideas! Maybe some one could push me as well..

There are 18 teeth on the back cog.

u can get like down to a 16 for sure or maybe even a 15 on the back to make it harder

Get one of these on the front...

BMX 14 tooth

i would start with a 16 or 17.

52-16 is high gearing. most people here seem to ride around 48-16 to 48-18 for city riding. not sure why the guy in the shop reckoned you couldn't put a smaller cog on your freewheel, though. maybe try in another shop - the first guy may have just run out of smaller cogs. someone else may know of a possible reason.

any idea where to get them from?

I found this - http://biddlebikes.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=296_188&products_id=128

But how would one connect it to the freewheel?

you dont want that, thats not a freewheel. look for bmx freewheels.

i think you need a special hub for anything less than 16t freewheel. What you can do is get a larger chainring, maybe a 60 tooth.

So one of these (http://www.customriders.com/prodshow.asp?prodid=2391&cat=17&parent=1001&sid=3) wouldn't fit on to my hub? I can take some photos of the bike if you want to check it out..

I'll probably go get a second opinion from a second mechanic.

52 18 is ok 52 19 is better IMO for getting you to speinn more but still high enough to keep up with cars when you want

What sort of bike is it? Your options depend on your setup.
You can get 14t sprockets+spacer kit as above.
Pedal faster.

So one of these (http://www.customriders.com/prodshow.asp?prodid=2391&cat=17&parent=1001&sid=3) wouldn't fit on to my hub? I can take some photos of the bike if you want to check it out..

I'll probably go get a second opinion from a second mechanic.

if you read the description it says you need a flip-flop hub. and by that they mean a bmx flip-flop hub (not a track flip-flop hub) which has a smaller than standard thread (confusing, i know).
the reason the thread is smaller is to allow smaller freewheels to be used, which would suggest that you'll be hard pressed to find a smaller freewheel for a standard thread.
also, i've got a barely used 16t freewheel which will fit which i'm willing to sell.

ah, knew i'd seen it somewhere...
the smallest freewheel you can get for standard threads is the 'AC Racing 15 Tooth Freewheel'
good luck finding it though...

If you're certain it will fit. I'd be willing to take it off your hands. If you can find it that is...

private message me with details.. awesome.

sorry, that wasn't so clear.
i meant i knew i'd seen a 15t freewheel somewhere on the internet. but you'll have trouble finding one in the uk.
i do have a 16t though...

I'd like to buy the 16t...