What front and rear chainring setup do people use

32, 35, 38, 16, 17, 19. Depending.

What do you want to ride?

Planning to ride mtb off road

If on 26” start at 32:16, or on 29″ try 32:18 and adjust to suit

depends on how hilly it is and wheel size

I use 32:16 @26 er

IME 32:18 spins out at a stupid speed and is just impractical but i have a reasonable amount of flat/road to the trails and back and not many super steep climbs-still cannot clear one and dont really even try- up san marino for the locals

Whatever you use dont reduce it just because you are walking get used to it 8)

I’m on 33:16 off road on a 26″. 32:16 is the normal starting point.

32:18 on B+ here, need to try it in some hillier terrain, but from first 100mi or so i’m thinking 32:17 might be better.

32:18 on a 26″ for me.

Ride on a mix of steep trails and I can get up most stuff on that.
I just spin a wee bit faster on the flats.

I started 2 years ago on 32 x 18 on 650b wheels. Late last year I changed for 30×18, felt I can climb much bewtter and had overall better results.

Last change was introduced for one of the stages races I participated for the amount of climb on technical trail. See 54 km and 2100 metres climbing. I used for this 32×20 and I think is the best for me.

In my home town I used for a 2 hours race 32×16

My advice is to start on 32×18 and see how well can you clear those climbs. Learn to spin faster is very good, too.

34 x 18 – Winter
34 x 16 – Summer

Oval, 29er, Surrey (lots of hills, none too big), 17t curious.

Also, Renthal chainring and a wide sprocket gets my vote.

Thanks for the advice I’ve decided to go with 32 16 I’ll let you know tomorrow how it went

Have fun! (bet you will!) 🙂

Start with a bloody big hill, it’ll all seem easy after that.

34-17 on a 650B XC race bike for me.

33×19. Prime numbers, innit.

Just under 51 gear inches on the 29er.

Just letting you know how it went. It was much easier than I thought I managed to do a 40 mile ride I was surprised how much quicker I was on the climbs the only down fall is you spin out a lot . Saying that I loved it now I’m thinking of building a decent ss bike.

You’ll never go back 🙂

Heads up for those inclined to the single speed way of riding SSUK17 will be out of Staveley in the Lake District you might need some special gearing!
All proceeds going to charity!
https://www.facebook.com/events/182745405487010/

What do you ride up there, rich?