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Going to have a go at SSCX in the new year.
Never done a cx race so wondering whats the best ratio to go with for a SSCX bike?
36-16??
Happy with a 32-19 on my 29er.
I have, a couple of times on my DayOne. Unfortunately I'd say it really depends on the conditions if you want to be competitive. I just use the standard 36-18 which is fine in really fast conditions, (unlikely!) but is bloody hard work in the soft. 36-16 is the ratio I use for road riding, would be way too hard work.
I run 32-18 on my 29er and happy with that, so I reckon, if it's compatible crank wise a 32-16 combo may work well for you, (though I've not calculated what sort of gear inches that gives).
32-16, 32mm tyre = 54.5 inch
36-16, 32mm tyre = 60.8 inch
32-19, 2.1inch tyre = 48.2 inch
34 oval-16 but it's a slog in the mud on climbs with no momentum. Never raced it.
(34 oval-19 on my 29er for ref - ok on that for most stuff)
Most of the stuff I found on th'web seemed to suggest 42:18 was the standard but that seems pretty high to me.
I've run 39:17 and 42:21 at times, no science to those choice more what had lying around, issue I've found is the balance between not spinning out on the flat versus deep mud and hills.
I was wondering the same thing the other day as considering it for spam winter challenge - day 1 too. Currently 42/16 for road but I imagine way too high for off (32/18 on my ss mtb but that is way too spinny for spam).
Don't really want to buy a new chainset and the smallest chainring I've found is 40t for 110bcd. Also have a nice white ind freewheel. Hmm...
39-18 worked for me in the past on the same trails. So a 2.1-2.2 :1 ratio, roughly. CX racers will be fitter than me tho.
33x17, found anything higher too big for racing
I race & ride on 39/18 - it's usually quicker to get off & run if you're struggling to turn that over on short, sharp or claggy climbs.
38/18 so i can ride past john_l when he's had to get off and run
😉
Only done 1 cx race, used 26" ss mtb, 2:1 on that was perfect, which would translate to 36:18.
i normally ride 42/18 fixed on my CX bike,I did the Gogoo Hellcross in belgium on 42/19 and it was too high.
Very muddy tho.
Never raced but rode my CX with 38x18.