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1. don simon - Member

   It looks like I'm now going to have a SS road bike after destroying the rear mech, the chain and a bit of the cassette, basically making the bike an economic write off.
   A roadside bodge got the chain back on and at 39:16 seemed like a reasonable ratio. Thoughts on ratios? It currently runs a 39/53.
   I assume chain line is not an issue.
   No tensioner or means of tensioning as vertical dropouts and goosed hanger. The chain is quite tight so I assume not an issue.

   39:16 good or not for North Shrops/Cheshire/(bit of)N. Wales?

   Posted 8 months ago #
2. Flashy - Member

   I run 40;16 around Bristol and that's fine. Slightly lower if you take it down bridle paths, etc

   Posted 8 months ago #
3. prezet - Member

   48:17 fixed here

   Posted 8 months ago #
4. djaustin - Member

   42:16 is pretty normal for a fixed - about 68". You are a little lower but this shouldn't hold you back as you can coast downhill. Chain deflection should be less than half an inch vertically at the tightest point (chainrings aren't round. Looks like you have a golden ratio.

   Posted 8 months ago #
5. don simon - Member

   48:17 fixed here

   
   Norlfolk or Llanberis?

   Posted 8 months ago #
6. thomthumb - Member

   i run 42:16/17 the 17 is fine for solo rides/ commuting but need to have any chance of keeping pace with geared roadies.

   Posted 8 months ago #
7. don simon - Member

   Looks like you have a golden ratio.

   
   My thought too, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

   Posted 8 months ago #
8. crazy-legs - Member

   48:17 for me as well. Works fine over most stuff although I wouldn't attempt to climb Winnats Pass on it!

   Posted 8 months ago #
9. Rorschach - Member

   39-16 here.I'm in no rush to get to work and it's ok come Friday into a headwind.I'll still cruise at 20mph.

   Posted 8 months ago #
10. jeffcapeshop - Member

    that's pretty spinny for 20mph imo, i wouldn't want to cruise like that for long

    Posted 8 months ago #
11. Elfinsafety - Member

    Pends dunnit. Higher gearing for high-pressure skinny tyres, lower for fatter tyred commuting and urban riding. I use a 38/16t combo here with 50-60psi 700/35c tyres in That London, and find it just spot on for riding in slow traffic, along towpaths and for when I'm laden with shopping, but it is a little bit low for longer road-riding. Spins out at about 18-20mph really, although most of the time I'm riding around at about 12-14 mph. Gets me up Highgate and Hampstead climbs easily enough though, and the acceleration's good for getting out of the way of trouble in heavy traffic. If I take the rack and paraphernalia off, the bike's a good bit lighter and could go to a 40 or 42/16t, but I also want to be able to ride home slowly from the pub when I'm knackered.

    Find what's comfortable for you, and your riding style, then stick with it.

    Posted 8 months ago #
12. prezet - Member

    
    Norlfolk or Llanberis?
    

    Norfolk actually
    But I've ridden the same gearing through south wales.

    Posted 8 months ago #
13. drofluf - Member

    48:16 here

    Posted 8 months ago #
14. ericemel - Member

    46:15 fixed here for a CX

    Posted 8 months ago #
15. Mush - Member

    48:17 here in Alpless London

    Posted 8 months ago #
16. partyboy1101 - Member

    53:18 fixed in Yorkshire, can be hard graft on the steep hills

    Posted 8 months ago #
17. richpips - Member

    A question with no real answer, as it depends on where you ride, and how strong your legs are.

    Posted 8 months ago #
18. MrSalmon - Member

    45:16 in West Mids. Good on the whole but there are a few small hills where it feels like I'm doing about 15 rpm.

    At the risk of stating the obvious though, it's up to you to decide where you want to compromise. 45:18 was far to spinny for me on the flat. 42:16 was alright but any sort of downhill and you spin out very quickly.

    Posted 8 months ago #
19. Rorschach - Member

    39-16 gives 33kph (20mph) @ 100rpm.My average cadence over any distance on the geared road bike is always 96-98rpm.

    Posted 8 months ago #
20. _tom_ - Member

    48-16 was a bit too easy for east midlands riding. 50 or 52 up front would probably be ideal.

    Posted 8 months ago #
21. don simon - Member

    A couple of hours out around Ellesmere, Whitchurch and Wem at an average of a dick hair over 17mph with 39:15. Happy, I think I've just found my winter bike. Now, which of the mtbs gets the singlespeed treatment.

    Posted 8 months ago #
22. footflaps - Member

    48:18 on my Pompino commuter and 52:18 on my winter training bike which just about keeps up with the geared boys on winter club runs.

    Posted 8 months ago #
23. kayak23 - Member

    42/16 on this here charge plug fixed in rolling Warwickshire.

    Posted 8 months ago #
24. samuri - Member

    42:16 fixed for me, edge of the pennines, plenty of offroad.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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