How do you work out gear ratios

does anyone know how to work out gear ratios and what speed they should do?

i am fairly new to this fg and ss been riding now for about 6 months

i currently run a 48/16....

also what wheels and hubs to people reccomend? as look to up grade the ones on my langster but want to still have a flip flop hub.

cheers
paulc

http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

google Sheldon Brown

Also google goldtec hubs, or for less money, system ex/variants. Rims, I'd go for mavics - open pros or CXP 22/33s. Alternatively if you want bright colours, deep Vs.

48/16 works out in the high 70s I think. I find low 70s/high 60s comfortable. 50/19 is what I run now, I have found 48/18 or 46/18 or 42/16 or 52/20 also fairly comfortable. They're all around the high 60s or low 70s.

Gear inches is preference really. If you like to mash you'll want a higher gear, but it's not recommended unless you have strong knees (imo).

My recommendation for a wheelset build would be goldtec hubs laced to cxp33s, with brass nipples and dt swiss competition spokes. :)

me I would save up and buy phil hubs with mavic rims I don't reckon you save much with the cheap stuff

48/16 too big, and doesn't feel very smooth, I used to have a 48/16 once (standard in Bianchi Pista) but after getting the rear clog replaced for a 19t Surly, my God how smooth it is, take a slight while to get used to it but cycling felt so nice and easy now after replacing the rear clog for a 19t.

I finally learn to skid properly too, and able to do a long skid down Pentonville Road, that was bliss.

go to a reputable bike shop, ask them if they have an 18t rear clog (surly if you like), and unless you're going to replace the clog yourself, ask them to replace it for you, take no more than 10 minutes.

buddha - goldtecs are pretty much on a par with phils.

At least, if you buy phils in america, they are (relatively) the same price that goldtechs are over here, and vice versa - goldtecs in america are as expensive as phils are in britain.

i have been riding the 48/16 for a few weeks now and have found it alright and good speed i am only running it ss though! as not tried fixed yet and dunno how i will get on with it!!

so what rims would you go for with the hubs and where is best to buy this all from?

paulc have you not read asm's first comment?

me I would save up and buy phil hubs with mavic rims I don't reckon you save much with the cheap stuff

Of course you would, you're the one who had that beautiful mercian bike worth over a grand!

actually whatever happen to it? I'm curious to see how the built is getting on.

sorry yeah i have read his first comment.

i was more wanting to know where people buy their parts from as most bike shops in my area don't get involved much in fg and ss bikes!!

Where about London (assuming) you're from?

no sorry i should have mentioned i am from brighton, got looking on this site after my mate from london mentioned it was good.

PM kelvin/elvis/lewis from lewes - brighton is well represented on this board :)

you can get rims and spokes from sjscycles.com (probably the hubs too).

Have you lived in brighton long? I'm pretty sure there is at least one fixie-inclined bike shop in the city. You'll definitely be able to get the rims, they're not track specific after all. They could probably order you in a set of the hubs too. How much are you looking to spend? If you're going to upgrade from langster wheels you're going to need to spend a bit.

re gearing - you're sort of spot on there - its taken me more than a year to come up with a gear ration that I find comfortable.

i have been in brighton for a while but only been riding ss for about 6 months had dirt bikes for yrs but wanted something to ride around brighton on so brought my mates langster at xams and not looked back love it! he also got me in this site some great threads on here.

just wanting to up grade a few bits and personalise the bike a bit!

i'm running 36:13 will be doing a 42:13 soon. its really quick but not the smoothest. lots of work to take off, so its not too grand on the commute, but whipping through town it's gnarly.

I have a few sprockets and chain rings I've been collecting, I'm going to have a weekend of messing around with gear ratios :P

i'm running 36:13 will be doing a 42:13 soon. its really quick but not the smoothest. lots of work to take off, so its not too grand on the commute, but whipping through town it's gnarly.

Thirtysixthirteen? Do you get anywhere?

Thirtysixthirteen? Do you get anywhere?
That's about 73GI.

It isn't a small ratio.

Hey, I'm going to revive an old thread, and post an inane comment in it; but it's got nothing to do with the nursery.

Not really being revived =P

Only 32 Minutes...

idiot

Does anyone know the difference between a 1/8" and a 3/32" chain? They iz similar, no?

Also can you make freewheel bicycle into fixed gear? I have a budget of 3p and need a fixed gear bike with 1/8" chain. Anyone help please

Go attack your LBS owner =)

Ply him with pain relief after said "accident"

whats the most bestest cadence for riding at. on my hybrid I mostly go quiet fast but iv'e seen fixie riders doing faster with double clips. i was thinking that trying a bit of fast/quiet fast/slow/quiet slow on my street would work for working out what works but thought u guys might have an idea. my chain is white so it should be okay to try with pedal flats for now. fixie riding rulz :::))) p;XD

Watz da faztest gear?????