My aching legs, switching my gearing

[Smiley]

We'll been riding a 42 by 15 gear combo on my Kogswell and a 48 by 17 combo on my Bedford Fixee and my last ride out on my Kogs I decided that I had enough of 76.23 GI on the Bedford, I like the Kogs 75.6 as compared to the bigger ratio of the Bedford. So my delima now is a 18 tooth cog for the rear of the Bedford and a 72 GI combo will this be way too easy? I can't part with the 48 tooth cranks since these are very new. Wish I had exactly 74-75 GI. Advice maybe.

[djg]

For goodness' sake Smiley, a 72" gear is not "way too easy" or even a little too easy for the rolling hills around Maryland and I know some pretty darn strong riders who spin a smaller gear than that on their fixed gear bikes in winter. If you want more work, wind it up or find a bigger hill.

[Sandy]

:) man. As you know, I have never ridden a fixed gear bike. I would think you would not find the gear "way too easy" but might find the increased cadence a significant change, especially going down hill at speed.


Sandy

[zap]

We'll been riding a 42 by 15 gear combo on my Kogswell and a 48 by 17 combo on my Bedford Fixee and my last ride out on my Kogs I decided that I had enough of 76.23 GI on the Bedford, I like the Kogs 75.6 as compared to the bigger ratio of the Bedford. So my delima now is a 18 tooth cog for the rear of the Bedford and a 72 GI combo will this be way too easy? I can't part with the 48 tooth cranks since these are very new. Wish I had exactly 74-75 GI. Advice maybe.

Fixee. Whats that.

Seriously, 90% of the time your in the wrong gear.

[fiamme red]

I decided that I had enough of 76.23 GI on the Bedford, I like the Kogs 75.6 as compared to the bigger ratio of the Bedford.I'm amazed that anyone can be so sensitive to such small gear differences. I certainly couldn't tell the difference between a 76.2 and a 75.6 gear.

If your knees are aching, switch to a 48x18. That's my standard gear for "Fixee" riding, and I do many hilly rides with it.

[rugbysecondrow]

Fixee. Whats that.

Seriously, 90% of the time your in the wrong gear.

Wrong is relative

[rustychisel]

Your legs learn to deal with the demands of cadence, provided you're not overgeared.

So, 42 x 16 is my preferred, 40 x 15 just a peck harder, 48 x 18 just the ticket.

PS: anyone know of a good 18 T cog in 3/32

[fiamme red]

PS: anyone know of a good 18 T cog in 3/32EAI. Or for double the price of an EAI cog, a Phil Wood stainless cog.

[ericspin]

Seriously, 90% of the time your in the wrong gear.

Ya know, once you _bond_ with your fixed gear it's ALWAYS the right gear. At least for me.

[RPS]

I'm amazed that anyone can be so sensitive to such small gear differences. I certainly couldn't tell the difference between a 76.2 and a 75.6 gear.

Do you think he was serious? :rolleyes:

[Ti Designs]

Seriously, 90% of the time your in the wrong gear.


Only if you live in a flat area. I was on my fixed gear for about 5 hours yesterday, was in the perfect gear for a total of maybe 5 minutes...

I can't think of gears on the fixed gear being "easy" or "hard", I think of them as low (A.K.A. spinny) or high. During the winter I go down in gear, increasing the cadence and trying to hold the same speed. As the spring nears I start going back up in gear. Yesterday I was spinning a 42x20. I was with John Allis on his road bike and turning a 44x18 (John never shifts) and one of my riders turning a 42x19. While you could say I was in the easiest gear, I was getting my legs ripped off.

[Tobias]

I was getting my legs ripped off.
Sounds most unpleasant ….. and yet there are so many simple cures for that problem. :rolleyes:

[Smiley]

Actually I can tell the differences between 75 and + 76 GI and its funny that when I did get going fixed my first ratio was a 42 by 16 and that was too much spinning for my liking which is 70.87 GI so hopefully the addion of a 18 cog with a 48 to make a 72 GI willl be just right :)

[Ti Designs]

Sounds most unpleasant ….. and yet there are so many simple cures for that problem. :rolleyes:

Riding in too small a gear too fast when it's too cold does sound unpleasant. All those things (and black ice and potholes) while riding with John Allis makes for a good day.

[bironi]

Smiley,

I too can feel small gearing changes on the fixed. Go with what makes you happy. :beer:

[WeakRider]

Your legs learn to deal with the demands of cadence, provided you're not overgeared.

So, 42 x 16 is my preferred, 40 x 15 just a peck harder, 48 x 18 just the ticket.

PS: anyone know of a good 18 T cog in 3/32

Surly cogs are affordable and nice.

[palincss]

We'll been riding a 42 by 15 gear combo on my Kogswell and a 48 by 17 combo on my Bedford Fixee and my last ride out on my Kogs I decided that I had enough of 76.23 GI on the Bedford, I like the Kogs 75.6 as compared to the bigger ratio of the Bedford. So my delima now is a 18 tooth cog for the rear of the Bedford and a 72 GI combo will this be way too easy? I can't part with the 48 tooth cranks since these are very new. Wish I had exactly 74-75 GI. Advice maybe.

65" used to be the standard back in the 30s.

[bumperjohn]

48x18 all the way Smiley! :)