Any thoughts on what gear ratio I should use on a single speed cross bike for riding the SDW? Does 2:1 sound about right? Cheers
Have you done it with gears yet?
I'd go easier as there is lots of climbing and traction was terrible when it was damp or wet...based OME.
I tried 36:21 on a 29er, i.e. about 49 gear inches. That was too high for me and hurt a lot.
Do yourself a favour and get some gears.
And if it's dry and hardbaked make sure you have the time and the means to fix lots of pinch punctures
Gear of choice for ss cx on the SDs is around 36-38/18.
Thanks for the replies, in my OP I forgot to ask, what tyres should I use, assuming its going to be reasonably dry?
I ride a 29er SS on 32/18 around the downs. Hurts on some climbs, anything i can't get up is usually walking pace on a geared bike. For doing the whole SDW i'd go up to a 19 or even a 20, knowig the hills get a bit more frequent/steeper at the end or feel like it.
Tyre wise, anything you fancy in the dry. In the wet just use your rims, as much grip as anything else out there.
something fast like small block 8 would be pretty fast but you could have a puncture nightmare, something more sturdy like landcruisers might work if your puncture shy, they are heavy though...
i got michelin jets that work well and also some mich mud 2 if its muddy
Not sure what tyres will go on a CX, but I ran Racing Ralphs when I did it in the summer - needed 1:1.54 at some points...
If punctures are a potential issue then the 3Peaks CX favourite Scwalbe Landcruisers may be a good bet - heavy but reliable if pimped up hard and can be usually had for £25 a pair.