Single speed / fixie gears

[TimmyR]

So thinking of trying a single speed conversion out on my commuter. Just wondering what ratios people have tried in Sheffield? I ride around 20mph on the flat quicker if I'm in a rush over a short distance but then of course there's the hills... What's common? What's considered big? 46/18 is a combination I've heard of.

 

In the meantime I'm doing a respray job on the frame. Just need to grow a beard...

[Dardandec]

Why would you want a single speed in Sheffield of all places? surely there is not much weight advantage to this, that is the only benefit I can think of.

[TimmyR]

They are a lot lighter with all the cogs you don't need and also they need very little maintenance as parts last forever. They are simple. No more clunked gears. No more snapped gear cables. No more chains coming off. They are also fashionable and cool which means I'll get women chasing after me and things like that.

Edited August 30, 2016 by TimmyR

[Dardandec]

They are also fashionable and cool which means I'll get women chasing after me and things like that.

 

Sold it me, where can I get one?

[tzijlstra]

As a Dutchman I speak from personal preference and experience, single speed is great for shorter distances without too much in the way of hills, much lower maintenance required and generally a lot sturdier so fewer breakdowns. I would also have it with the 'pedal back ' brake, if that is an option in the UK? In terms of ratios I would discuss it with your bikeshop and see what they advice?

[biotechpete]

46 18 gives you a gear ratio of 2.6.

 

Typically racing bikes have ratios of 1.2 to 4.8. Compact chain ring 50/34 with an 11-32 cassette will give you a range of 1.1-4.6. With an 11-23 cassette the ratio is 1.5-4.6.

 

I can ride 18-20 mph on the flat with around a 3.6 ratio. I can ride hills easily with a ratio of 1.7. You're always limited by a fixie.

[Santo]

Raleigh Burner.

 

Need one say more?

[TimmyR]

46 18 gives you a gear ratio of 2.6.

 

Typically racing bikes have ratios of 1.2 to 4.8. Compact chain ring 50/34 with an 11-32 cassette will give you a range of 1.1-4.6. With an 11-23 cassette the ratio is 1.5-4.6.

 

I can ride 18-20 mph on the flat with around a 3.6 ratio. I can ride hills easily with a ratio of 1.7. You're always limited by a fixie.

 

This is my fear. I'm going to try riding in one gear for a couple of days to see if it's feasible. I'd find it more annoying not being able to ride quick enough on the flat than anything else.

 

Turns out I mean 46 16 not 18 so is more like 2.8

Edited August 30, 2016 by TimmyR

[biotechpete]

This is my fear. I'm going to try riding in one gear for a couple of days to see if it's feasible. I'd find it more annoying not being able to ride quick enough on the flat than anything else.

 

I can tell you from experience on my Brompton with an equivalent ratio of 2.3 the top speed is limited but I wouldn't want to go any higher for the hills. It's got 2 gears and the bottom one is 1.7 ratio. That copes fine with some fairly steep hills.

 

You can see/compare the ratios here:

http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios

[Alcoblog]

Can anyone tell me how to get all the gears (apart from second) taken out of my car's gearbox as I don't want it to work properly too.