Calling all Glentress singlespeeders – what gear ratio?

Just finished my new Inbred build (my first singlespeed which will be used off road), and had a spin around town on 32:18 to check nothing fell off. A bit spinny on the flat sections, and not too much effort up the hills. (Certainly less effort than the 36:12 hybrid I used to ride to work).

I'm looking for the biggest gear I can get round Glentress in. Any thoughts before I do some testing (perhaps next weekend)? I thought 32:18 would be about right, but interested to hear what others have made it round the red in.

Obligatory first ride shot follow…

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Don't be distracted by the midget that got caught in the front wheel spokes.

I started with 32:16 last year, climbing at GT in general was fine, but I found it hard going when tackling some of the switchbacks, especially when conditions were sketchy. Now running 32:18, switchbacks no longer a problem, and still not too spinny elsewhere, although I'm hardly a speed merchant – may give 32:17 a burl at some point though, definitely feeling stronger than I was last year.

So… 32:18, a decent starting point, try it and move in either direction as required.

PS. Bike looking good, though chain looking slightly baggy.

Choose the ratio that works on the interesting stuff and be prepared to suffer or push up hills.

Been round on 32:16 was fine, slightly higher would probably be ok too. It's not going up the hills that's snow SS, it's the flats and downs that are a hassle.

Bit of a silly question, as it depends how strong you are?

with a chain that slack you've probably got room to fit a couple of sprockets 😛

quite a nice bike tho.

chain on that will be off quite quick at glentress!

32:16 works well for red – could probably ride 32:14 up the red tbh , 32:18 for a comfortable day if doing the black but it can be done on 32:16 – with a cadence of about 3 on the climb to the hut !

Thanks for the advice. Might have a first run on 32:16 this weekend to see how I get on then. I have cheap 16t and 18t sprockets, and will buy a nice wide one once I have decided between 16t, 17t or 18t. I am capable of pedalling big gears (36:12 up Edinburgh city centre hills was doable) so 32:16 might be okay.

I haven't shortened the chain yet as I was just lightly testing the 18t first. The chaintugs were too short to allow any more tension without shortening the chain. I'm sure it didn't look that long when I started though! It was a used chain, so I didn't expect it to stretch that much in 10 miles.

I'm assuming its a 26er, so anything 32:16 to 32:18 would be ok. I would prefer the 16T, but I ride there a lot and know I can do it all on that gear.

33 x 18 got me round at night with hopeless lights… wrung what you brung 8)

Right, thanks again. If others can do it on 32:16, that's what I'll do. If I can't do it all of the first run it'll give me something to aim for knowing that it is achievable.

Running well then? Looking good all built up now. Red chainring bolts set it off.

You won't be going round the black at the mo' anyhow so has to be 32:16. The new singletrack climb to Buzzards nest is great fun on a singlespeed, in a painful kind of way. You could take it easy up it but it begs to be ridden hard.

Thanks TBC – really pleased with it. That hope headset looks pretty good on there too. Now sporting a suitably shortened chain and a 16t cog, so looking forward to a proper ride this weekend. Think I'll demo a Yeti 5 at the demo event too if I get a chance, so I might be back into the shop sooner that my credit card would like. 😉

Did the red on my commuter single speed one night last year 44×16 although it was a rotor ring up front, wasnt as hard as I expected, just ground it out.
I use 44 x 17 on my surly off road most of the time, gives you a decent work out, find smaller gearing makes me feel like I am going nowhere fast.

I'd suggest about 32:32 for the climbs, 32:12 for the flat bits and maybe 44:11 for the descents… 😉

32:16 is fine, and I'll echo stevenmenmuir's comment about the first climb being great fun on an SS, it makes it far more interesting certainly