Single speed gearing

[bikesnoopy]

I know this will have been asked a hundred times before, but whats the best all round gearing for a S/S ?

Is it just best to use the 2-1 ratio ?

I just happen to have a 36T ring & an 18T sprocket knocking around, so i was going to use that.

Most of my riding is pretty hilly & rarely on the road, so should i be going for a lower overall ratio?

Any thoughts/opinions appreciated. . .

 

[orange71]

2:1 is a good start - but if you have a geared bike why not try staying in 36:18 (or another 2:1 combination) and try not to change gear - see if it works. If not then try other ratios.

 

[theredchili]

I know this will have been asked a hundred times before, but whats the best all round gearing for a S/S ?

Is it just best to use the 2-1 ratio ?

I just happen to have a 36T ring & an 18T sprocket knocking around, so i was going to use that.

Most of my riding is pretty hilly & rarely on the road, so should i be going for a lower overall ratio?

Any thoughts/opinions appreciated. . .

Try it , no harm done, I use a 34T :18, have also used a 34T:16, great for single track

 

[bikesnoopy]

Ok, will try the 36/18 this weekend, but if too high does anyone have a 34t or 32t ring going begging cheap for me to try?

 

[orange71]

do you not have a geared bike you can try that could mimick a 34t or 32t front with a lower gear at the back? e.g. 36:18 =1:2. So to go a bit lower you could try 36:19 on your geared.

 

[bm0p700f]

Last weekend I rode the monkey trail on a 32-16T. It was hard work and there was a lot of grunting in places especially as struggled up a section of tight switchbacks with some "cheater" on a geared bike saying "is it hard on a SS" - later adding " feel guilty now changing gear" - no he didn't!

2:1 is a great place to start if your rides are liek thetford forest, not falt but certainly not hilly. If your ride are as hilly as cannock chase it is very hard work and chain tension will have to be perfect.

My other SS has a 38:18T ratio and that is also fine off road but I would not take that to Cannock. A customer who wanted his MTB SS and has now got a 38:18T ratio now wants a taller gear! It pretty flat in Cavendish though.

the other thing to consider do you want to run a tensioner. If you don't you will have to hunt for that magic gear and will require 1) maths or 2) a stock of different sized chain rings and rear cogs.

 

[jonnymcenroe]

Which ratio is a BMX?

 

[orange71]

Bear in mind a bmx has different wheel size. I run 34:16 on my 29er which is more like 36:16 on a 26er (at a guess - sure someone can work it out).

 

[suburbanreuben]

Ok, will try the 36/18 this weekend, but if too high does anyone have a 34t or 32t ring going begging cheap for me to try?

What BCD are you after, Compact/94, 110, 104/4 bolt?
I have been using 33:17 on one of my bikes. It's just a leetle easier than 2;1 but feels the same, speedwise. It also happens to be the magic ratio for a 16.75" chainstay... (with a tiny bit of chain stretch :cry: )

 

[danson67]

If you don't you will have to hunt for that magic gear and will require 1) maths or 2) a stock of different sized chain rings and rear cogs

Fix Me Up has a handy calculator for this...measure your chainstays and look up the ratios that will work without a tensioner:
http://eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.ph...stretch=0&axleAdjust=vert&sortKey=Stay_length

All the best,