Lower Gear Inches or HTFU?

I'm currently on 48x18 freewheel (around 72gi), and although this is fine around town etc, on longer rides or training in Richmond Park it feels I'm mashing a bit and my knees are often just on the verge of discomfort. I'm well past my teenage years - do you older guys just build up a bit, or will dropping my GI (46x18 for 69gi?) open up a whole new world of sunshine for me? No macho nonsense please - I've had kids so don't need to prove anything... ;-)

It all depends on what works for you but I think it's worth trying a lower gear and see how you get on. I started off riding 48x18 then went to 47x18 and am currently riding 48x19. At this rate by 2012 I'll be riding 39x25.

I'm riding fixed though, so with a singlespeed I think people tend to ride a slightly higher gear.

spinning is good. no harm in trying a lower gear.
i ride the park a lot with 72 gi fixed and find it perfect most of the time but have 69in on the flop side but never bother to flip it for windy days.
not having the flywheel effect on the climbs means more work with the freewheel.

won't it be quicker/easier/cheaper to change the rear cog ?

True but the running will be smoother with a larger sprocket and a larger chainring.

I ride all day every day on 44-18 spinny but by no means slow, and it makes rear wheel braking piss easy.

spin to win, as they say...

I hurt my knees riding fixed in too high a gear when I first started a couple years back (77 inches or so)...now I ride much lower and my knees are v. grateful!

I'm riding fixed though, so with a singlespeed I think people tend to ride a slightly higher gear.

I thought it was the other way round. At least thats the way I have my freewheel.

Lower because you only need to pedal uphill, unlike fixed where a low gear would require mad spinning downhill.

Plus the fact that if you have a flip-flop wheel or two bikes you are more likely to want to use the freewheel for long distance riding where freewheel would be nicer.

+1

I'm a noob to ss & fixed riding and started on a 48x18 ss about a month ago. I didn't have clips either and my knees found it a bit tall - especially with a hill & headwind combination. I've changed to a 19 tooth fixed sprocket with toe clips and the difference is phenomenal. I still find it hard to max out on the spinning and it's much easier to get the cadence "on the sweet spot" where it's comfortable. Having the clips has allowed me to alter my pedaling style, I can lift and push forward as well as pushing down, which makes me go faster :-) and further reduces knee strain

As the initial question was addressed to 'older guys' I thought I better post up as I get my Freedom Pass next year (if I make it to next year), have been riding fixed for some time, live at the top of Crouch Hill and have a skinny pair of legs. I ride either 81, 75 or 72ish gi.

I have to say that I've never really got the connection between fixed and knee pain - I've always found bike set up/fit more important whether fixed or free, so it's always worth looking at that before changing gi.

Stay with what you have and htfu!

Bigger is better.

Call that a chainring....

this is a chain ring

I am approaching 46 fast, I find 40x16 pretty comfortable with no knee probs, hating those headwinds though. Have got to the point now where I ignore what other people think, I'm happy with it and thats all that matters.

Tommy, you know I can only be seen wearing carbon..

I am approaching 46 fast, I find 40x16 pretty comfortable with no knee probs, hating those headwinds though. Have got to the point now where I ignore what other people think, I'm happy with it and thats all that matters.

67" is fine. In fact, most people on here would agree with you completely.
It's not like you're riding 88" around London.

You only get one set of knees so just ride a geared bike.

Alternatively, you should train your knees well, in terms of flexibility, (make sure you stretch your quads, hip flexors and lower back - especially if you spend a lot of time sitting), take adequate rest when your tendons are inflamed / swollen / etc.

So in answer to your question I would say BOTH HTFU and lower your inches (ironically inverse).

Peace

Thanks for the advice chaps. I popped on a 46t this afternoon and it immediately feels better - strangely it actually seems faster, but I guess that's 'coz my nippier cadence is fooling my head?

I'm 47 and find 46/16 spot on. My commute is around 16 miles each way and I do a 50 to 60 mile hilly ride on sundays,

HTFU

toodle pip

OMG - 'Peace' and 'toodle pip' almost happened in consecutive posts.

Don't mess with your knees. If they don't like it, ride a lower gear.

cake or death?

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+1 to lower gi
you are probably faster even since your knees are liking it better.

I thought it was the other way round. At least thats the way I have my freewheel.

Lower because you only need to pedal uphill, unlike fixed where a low gear would require mad spinning downhill.

Plus the fact that if you have a flip-flop wheel or two bikes you are more likely to want to use the freewheel for long distance riding where freewheel would be nicer.

but i always feel i'm going to fall off the bike if the gear's too low on a freewheel bike. i find it easier to handle a higher gear on a freewheel. maybe it's just me.

67" is fine. In fact, most people on here would agree with you completely.
It's not like you're riding 88" around London.

I am riding 90.1" around London (48/14) - 88" is for small woman and the elderly.

i need a taller gear. 48:11 is too slow for country rides.