SS-ing my Road bike – What ratio?

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SS-ing my Road bike – What ratio?

13 posts & 10 voices | Started 1 year ago by cookeaa | Latest reply from crazy-legs

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cookeaa - Member

Considering converting my current commuting Road bike to SS as a trial over summer to see how I get on with it, just a simple conversion using a tensioner…

It’s used exclusively for my commute which is a mixed 20 mile (40 round trip) with bit of flat and some moderate climbing for which I presently use most of the available gearing range (2x9 – 52/39 – 12-25)

What is a good starting point?

I’d be getting new Chain/Ring/Sprocket to do this as the current Chain/Rings/Cassette will need replacing soon anyway...

Posted 1 year ago #
ron jeremy - Member

I run 42/16 on mine and that seems to do me okay, do spin out a bit when I am going down hill occasionally but on the flip I am able to pedal uphill without any hassle, and being in South Wales i prefer that balance myself, allows me to have a breather when I am doing so, (only 8.5 miles each way) I have found it is easier without gears as I only have to think about pedalling. I do have a 44 and a 46 so i might try them out over the summer, when it is dry and I feel fitter.

Posted 1 year ago #
cp - Member

depends on how fit & strong you are and what endurance you have.

If you're weaker/less fit/low endurance I'd go for something like 42:16 or 18.

I ride a 48:16 in Sheffield, but only when training, not commuting - the ratio is too high for casually getting up hills. I also avoid steep hills with it, changing routes for something with more gentle inclines.

Posted 1 year ago #
ron jeremy - Member

cp - Member
depends on how fit & strong you are and what endurance you have.

If you're weaker/less fit/low endurance I'd go for something like 42:16

I resemble that remark!!!! Nah, as i said i choose that ratio as I do have a few steep(ish) hills to negotiate, and it gives for me the best balance.

Posted 1 year ago #
cp - Member

it's also worth mentioning you'll prob have to spend some time playing with ratios once you're set up.

Posted 1 year ago #
cookeaa - Member

Hmmm, My fitness is at a low point at the minute 42:18 might be my starting point there’s a few climbs that are can be hard work, maybe start there with a 16t sprocket on standby in case I start feeling all manly, it’s got to be usable on a daily basis not just when I’m feeling up to it…

It’s more of a scoping exercise, I’m fancying a proper low maintenance SS road/CX machine for my commute eventually (a Pompetamine tickles my fancy this week) but I think it’s worth seeing how well I actually manage with just one gear on the current bike first, rather than simply leaping in with both feet…

Thanks for the responses…

Posted 1 year ago #
Bez - Member

42:16 is the normal starting point.

Works for me. Spins out on long shallow descents and is rather chewy on the steepest climbs, but that's inevitable.

Posted 1 year ago #
mattk - Member

I run 52:20, not sure how thats compares to people running 42 teeth rings.

It's ideal for my commute, few moderate hills but mainly flat for 12 miles each way. does get a bit tough if there's a head wind though.

when i first went ss i ran 52:16, i very nearly blew my knees up just getting to work. Infact i was dreading the return commute so much i got my wife to pick me up.

Posted 1 year ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

42x16 is 69 inches. Seems like a good starting point.

44x16 is 72 inches. That's what I used to run fixed on the road, but climbs of any length were tough and out of the saddle efforts.

52x20 is 68 inches

52 x 16 is 85 inches - a track sized gear..! (I have 48x15 on my track bike - 84 inches)

Posted 1 year ago #
thisisnotaspoon - Member

48-20 here, feels too low, but looks cool with the dinner plate front ring.

Posted 1 year ago #
flashes - Member

I use 40 X 16, spins a bit downhill but goes up some interesting hills OK. (Bristol)

Oops I've now read the question properly. This is on My Surly 1X1.

My fixed road bikes are 50 X 18 and 50 X 17 (too high)

Posted 1 year ago #
ericemel - Member

I am doing 30 miles a day, 44:15 - other than the hill to Wimbledon village it's quite flat.

I'd suggest 42:16 as a starting point.

Posted 1 year ago #
crazy-legs - Member

48:17 for me on my SS road bike. Works fine for gradients up to about 10% but I'm one of those weirdos who a) likes climbing and b) is fairly good at it.

I'd go with 44:17 for starters then maybe put a 16T on it if/when you feel up to it.

I run my track bike with 47:14 (90") which is a bit of a weird way of getting a 90" gear but works for me.

Posted 1 year ago #

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