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What's the go to ratio for long distance road work as I want to do another SR next year but on my mates new companies single/fixed frames.
67-72 gear inches
69 inches
Cheers I'd have probably gone 42x16 70"? Is that from experience.
42x16 always worked fine for me.
42x18 on my old winter hack fixed wheel, but that was to deal with Derbyshire hills and make me spin the rest of the time.
On a fixie I'd use medium gear, 72". That was ok to take me round the Dingwall/Ullapool/Ledmore/Struie/Dingwall loop, and I'm an old git too.
For a freewheel bike, I'd aim for 65" for general pootling. My current bike is a converted 29er on 67" and that was nice for a quick zap around Orkney and my normal riding in the Highlands.
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I want to stay well within my capabilities. 200/300/400/600 is tough enough with gears. So we reckon 42x16 will do.
42x16, or if you already have the rings, 48x18 provides marginally lower resistance. Fine for rolling country and will get you up a hill fixed. The gearing is 16.7 mph at 80rpm. You will struggle with anything approaching 30 mph. Fit a rear brake.
I think between 65" and 70" makes sense for fixed. I've done a variety of hilly audaxes on that. I don't want too big a gear, spinning is good. Yes, its worth having front and rear brakes, nice to control the speed on steep descents.
So we reckon 42x16 will do.
48:18 would be a better bet. 🙂