Gear inch/ratio question

Almost infinite? A truly mind-boggling concept

HTFU and get a 77 tooth.

What ratio were you running previously?

If you then plug that into the Rabbit gear calculator it will tell you the Gear Inch figure for that ratio.

When you know that you can work out what would give you the same gear inches with your current set-up with the minimum amount of changes having to be made.

Will is quite correct when he says that changes to the sprocket (cog at the back) make a much larger difference than changes to the chainring, so big jumps are much easier to achieve by changing the sprocket, small changes with the chainring.

Also as you point out changing to a smaller sprocket means that you will not have to buy a new chain, going to a larger chainring means you probably will.

^ link to rabbit gear calculator

Also RE tools - lock ring tool and chain break are useful things to have.

I bought the Pedros lock ring tool after the halfrauds one broke. - Its def a good tool to have...and £16 is less than I paid

I ride 39x17 no problem going up or down hill

We're not all Olympians! Down hill on 39x17 is not my idea of fun!

Spin to win is what they say...

Hey guys, I am currently in the process of converting my single speed bike to a fixed gear and have a query in relation to its gearing. My new chainset has a 53 tooth chainring and I was wondering what sprocket I should use with it. I live in London so the majority of my time is spent on flats with a few hills thrown in. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

Most people go for around 70 inches, preferably slightly under rather than over. Use this site to calculate the gear inches.
http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

hey sumo, thanks for the help, that website is spot on, looks like i'm heading for a 19 or a 20, Rich

just another quick one... does a higher value for gear inches make it harder or easier to pedal?

Harder

bear in mind skid patches as well.
i run 42/17 which has 17 skid patches.
more patches the better in terms of tyre wear.
that works out at about 66 gi, perfect for me.
lots of info here.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

Hello,

I have a fixie on 46 X 15, it's tough going. On the flats I hardly notice it.
But up inclines and especially hills, it gets harder and harder to get a full
rotation of the crank.
I also ride a freewheel on 42 X 16, and I can climb anything locally as easily
as being on the flats. My question is... are fixies just tougher to cycle, no matter
what the gear ratio or is 42X 16 an easier ratio to begin with ?

Many thanks in advance, any advice would be most welcome.

h.t.f.u.

46x15=80.6GI
42x16=69.0GI
Lrn2GI

I don't know what that means... and why should I harden up...
when the 42 X 16 with a gear ratio of 2.6 is easy. Up as well as the flats,
yet the gear ratio of 3.2 ( 46 X 15 ) on a fixie, uphills is a killer ?

https://www.lfgss.com/thread18034.html

As Tiswas pointed out, match the gear inches on the fixed wheel bicycle with the freewheel, and you'll be fine.

With a 46t chainring, you need a 18t cog to match the gear inches.

Awkwardo=tynan troll

Awkwardo=tynan troll

I don't know what that means or why you felt the need to write it.
I'm asking a simple question, to those who might have more experience.

Gave the two relevant sizes that I'm riding and wanted to ask...
Is riding a fixie tougher than a free wheel ?

Man rides bikes but doesn't understand gears. This man right here say whut?

Why would riding fixed be any different to riding singlespeed while going uphill? Both are exactly the same while you pedal forward. only difference being is that you can stop pedaling with one.

As Tiswas pointed out, match the gear inches on the fixed wheel bicycle with the freewheel, and you'll be fine.

With a 46t chainring, you need a 18t cog to match the gear inches.

Thanks for replying.
So if I change the 15t to an 18t - I might find it easier to ride ?

Man rides bikes but doesn't understand gears. This man right here say whut?

A lot of people operate computers, cars and even their reproductive organs..
yet have no idea how they work internally.

But you ride a fixed gear which is a specialist bike.

A bit like being a gamer and not knowing why his computer is too slow for a game

Man rides bikes but doesn't understand gears. This man right here say whut?

Why would riding fixed be any different to riding singlespeed while going uphill? Both are exactly the same while you pedal forward. only difference being is that you can stop pedaling with one.

I suppose because riding fixed is a completely different experience in every other way.
Why not uphill as well. The bike is great, yet going up the same hill with the freewheeler
is easy, the fixie seems to stiffen up when climbing.