Single Speed Bike Gear Ratio

[Old Ned]

I used a 66" gear when riding fixed in the winter.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Here's our formula for picking the correct gear ratio on a fixie:

No need for all these charts and stuff:

Look out the window. .
How flat is it? (0-10) =x
Look in the mirror.
How trendy are you? (0-10) =y
Measure the bars
How narrow are they? =z

So 110+x+y-z=gear inches

Of course this is from when the urban fixie was the go-to bike style for the novice youth , circa 2005

Might be hopelessly inaccurate now

 

[Battersby]

Here's our formula for picking the correct gear ratio on a fixie:

No need for all these charts and stuff:

Look out the window. .
How flat is it? (0-10) =x
Look in the mirror.
How trendy are you? (0-10) =y
Measure the bars
How narrow are they? =z

So 110+x+y-z=gear inches

Of course this is from when the urban fixie was the go-to bike style for the novice youth , circa 2005

Might be hopelessly inaccurate now

So the narrower the bar the bigger gear? Isn't that backwards due to leverage?

 

[Nob]

57x12

 

[bikeworkshop]

So the narrower the bar the bigger gear? Isn't that backwards due to leverage?

The narrow bar relates to the level of self-belief rather than performance or efficiency

 

[Nob]

The narrow bar relates to the level of self-belief rather than performance or efficiencyView attachment 836924

Cycle couriers use narrow bars to flow quick through multiple lines of stationary traffic in cities……so need good handling skills with very narrow bars….

 

[ferrus]

Cheapest option is to fit a multiple freewheel and then you can experiment.

Most sensible option also I reckon. Use a chain tensioner with a cassette/freewheel to find which ratio suits you best, then decide.
We all have different power outputs and preferences in cadence. I used to be a big-gear masher but am a gentle spinner nowadays.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Cycle couriers use narrow bars to flow quick through multiple lines of stationary traffic in cities……so need good handling skills with very narrow bars….

Running slicks helps.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Running slicks helps.

And bars narrower than hips doesnt

 

[highlandsflyer]

And bars narrower than hips doesnt

Salient point!