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SAR_boats

Ok so I jumped headfirst into the Singlespeed pool without checking the water first. Hence I have a few questions.

What is a good start for gearing? The front ring is a 34 tooth so should I run a 14 in the rear?

Should I use a 1/2x1/8 chain or a 3/32?

About how many links should the chain be? I was going to buy the Wipperman superduty but it is only 96 links. Is there a minimum size I should get? (The bike is XL sized)

When I get to the assembly phase how do I size the chain so that it works best with the sliding dropouts?

The last singlespeed I rode was my BMX when I was 8 or 9, so go easy on me

Thanks in advance.

singleSSpeedster

unless you are travis brown or foshizzle, you are going to kill yourself with 34x14. it would only be go for road stuff. even the fullerton loop will put the hurt on you. for example, here are my gear ratios;
my 29er is 32/18 fixed, 32x20 free
my cross bike is 44/19
my road fixie is 42/16 fixed, 42x18 free

if you already have a 34t ring, i would suggest a 19 or 20t rear cog (depends on how well you climb). most people think that a 2:1 ratio is ideal for ss, but it really isn't.

as for 1/8 vs 3/32 chain...go 1/8. it wil work with either 3/32 or 1/8" rings. i like the cheapy kmc stuff.

as for chain length...just get a new chain, there will be enough links.

for the install, get you ring/cog installed (remember to check your chainline!). slide the rear wheel all the way forward in the drops. wrap the chain around the ring and cog. break the chain so you can keep the chain as short as possible. install the quick link.

there will be alittle slack in the chain. take that slack up by sliding the dropouts rearward. make sure you can freewheel nicely. do not make the chain so tight that it binds. tighten your dropout bolts.

have a beer, go for a ride....repeat.

enjoy your new love.

dubjay

As far as gearing goes - 34:14 is pretty tall, it'd be good for commuting to work, but you won't make it up many hills. Imagine using your middle chainring and your 2nd smallest cog in the rear.

If it's a 26" bike, a 34:18 might be a good starting point for you. If you find that your walk/ride ratio is a little too high, then try 34:19.

SAR_boats

Oh, cr@p by the way, it is a 29er. Any new thoughts about gearing?

andino

34x20 sounds good...or maybe 34x21

genusmtbkr5

I have a 32:18 and it's on a 26". I don't know how well you can climb, but I know from talking to those who ride 29er, it's tougher on climbs. This is a question best answered by Rut, Shinkin, wrecker, mtnbikej, SlowSSer, OMR as well as many others. All ride 29ers. I'm with andino, my guess would be 34:21 or 22

guero

chris, purplehaze was a 32:22 just for reference. that might be a good ratio to start with, as you get stronger move on to 32:20 then 32:18 or something along those lines.

new2mtb

It depends as to the trail you ride. JPL, strawberry i like riding 34x22. You can also do 34x20 but i like the easier gear. Chantry flats you can do 34x20 easy and can do 18's. oh this is for a 29'er as well. 26 inch wheels is subtract 2 on the rear cog, so 29er 20 cog = 26er 18 cog.

ShinKen

I started with 32-20 over a year ago!! tried the 32-18 for a very little while and killed my knees on almost every ride!! It dont help that I'm getting older or that I had surgery a few years back

I've been doing the 32-19 mix for the most part!! AND I LOVE IT!!

and can almost ride any trail with that mix!

before anyone says anything I did say almost!!

Wrecker

I ride a 32-21; with the 22, I can make it up most hills; with the 21, I can climb up less (not much less) and don't get as spun out on flats.

The problem with starting too high of a gear is your knees, as Shin-Ken said.

I think the diameter of the 29'er are estimated at being approx 10% more difficult than a 26'er, so you gear up by two cogs for a comprable ride.

If you're really into gear inches, there are a few sites online that help you figure it out--I ride what feels right (for my weak little legs a 32-32 is ideal)

Burner

32:20 seems to be the standard socal gearing for most people I talk to

SAR_boats

Cool. Thanks, all. I will probably start out with a 34X22 and go from there. Any recommendations along the lines of cogs manufacturers? I think Chris King only goes up to 20T so theyre out (bummer). Surly has a good rep. Not really impressed with Dimension. What do you guys think?

OMR

What works for others may not work for you. Depends on your fitness level and the type of terain that you'll be riding. I run a 34 X 22 on my 29er and can climb most anything at Aliso (Mathis, Cholla, etc... while Meadows is a different story... it's hard enough on a geared bike!)

I'd suggest starting at 34 X 22 and working your way down as your strength increases. Just be very aware of the impact on your knees... you DO NOT want to screw them up!!!! One of the reasons I'm still able to ride at 65 is that I've always listened to my body (knees especially). Just keep repeating to yourself on the flats: "Spinning is good... spinning is good!"

Check out the ActionTec cogs (titanium).

OMR

guero

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Any recommendations along the lines of cogs manufacturers?

Endless Bikes "Kick Ass Cogs" are pretty good from what i've read. i had a 22tooth Kick Ass Cog on purplehaze, it was light and albeit i didnt have the bike that long, it seemed to hold its integrity. Send 1x1Clyde a PM and see what he can do for ya.

Endless Bike Co. | Handmade in the USA

genusmtbkr5

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Cool. Thanks, all. I will probably start out with a 34X22 and go from there. Any recommendations along the lines of cogs manufacturers? I think Chris King only goes up to 20T so theyre out (bummer). Surly has a good rep. Not really impressed with Dimension. What do you guys think?

I know Surly has a 22 cause that's what I first used, but after 1 ride at Aliso, I switched to an 18t. There are alot of inexpensive cogs for less than $20.00. There steel so be sure your hub is strong. Since you'll be experimenting with gearing for awhile, I would buy a cheap cog and if you like it then go for the bling brand. I had a 22t Surly , but sold it to the highest bidder on ebay for $20.19 , I paid $25.00 online. A $5.00 experiment.

dstepper

I still have a 18 tooth Surly Cog and a Karate Monkey Fork for sale.

Dean

SAR_boats

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

I still have a 18 tooth Surly Cog and a Karate Monkey Fork for sale.

Dean

I get the impression that running a 34x18 on a 29er would be suicide for my legs.

Besides, I just ordered a 24 and a 21 tooth from Action Tec.

Thanks tho

CPATCRASH

I'm old (not as old as mtber3737) and I run a 32 X 22. Yes it spins out but I can climb most of the hills around with it.

dstepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

I get the impression that running a 34x18 on a 29er would be suicide for my legs.

Besides, I just ordered a 24 and a 21 tooth from Action Tec.

Thanks tho

I only have problems with my knees if I try to push tall gears sitting down. Tall gears mean you are up out of the saddle more of the time and uphill breaks are not many. I can not climb 3 bitchs with 32x18 on my Niner, but this weekend I was pushing my bike as fast as the gearies were pedaling.

Besides my Singlespeed is a special build, it is a three speed: Standing, Sitting, and Walking.

Dean

SAR_boats

2wheel lee mentioned it before but I'll make it known now:

I am riding one handed.

So my singlespeed will have 3 gears too but they will be: sitting, walking, and falling down


SAR_boats Vanilla Gorilla	Singlespeed questions Ok so I jumped headfirst into the Singlespeed pool without checking the water first. Hence I have a few questions. What is a good start for gearing? The front ring is a 34 tooth so should I run a 14 in the rear? Should I use a 1/2x1/8 chain or a 3/32? About how many links should the chain be? I was going to buy the Wipperman superduty but it is only 96 links. Is there a minimum size I should get? (The bike is XL sized) When I get to the assembly phase how do I size the chain so that it works best with the sliding dropouts? The last singlespeed I rode was my BMX when I was 8 or 9, so go easy on me Thanks in advance. __________________


singleSSpeedster Rolling on 29" dubs!	unless you are travis brown or foshizzle, you are going to kill yourself with 34x14. it would only be go for road stuff. even the fullerton loop will put the hurt on you. for example, here are my gear ratios; my 29er is 32/18 fixed, 32x20 free my cross bike is 44/19 my road fixie is 42/16 fixed, 42x18 free if you already have a 34t ring, i would suggest a 19 or 20t rear cog (depends on how well you climb). most people think that a 2:1 ratio is ideal for ss, but it really isn't. as for 1/8 vs 3/32 chain...go 1/8. it wil work with either 3/32 or 1/8" rings. i like the cheapy kmc stuff. as for chain length...just get a new chain, there will be enough links. for the install, get you ring/cog installed (remember to check your chainline!). slide the rear wheel all the way forward in the drops. wrap the chain around the ring and cog. break the chain so you can keep the chain as short as possible. install the quick link. there will be alittle slack in the chain. take that slack up by sliding the dropouts rearward. make sure you can freewheel nicely. do not make the chain so tight that it binds. tighten your dropout bolts. have a beer, go for a ride....repeat. enjoy your new love. __________________ "forget kings...forget hadleys......they all have crap engagement. just run your bike fixed gear." - FoShizzle


dubjay 我是鄭偉倫	As far as gearing goes - 34:14 is pretty tall, it'd be good for commuting to work, but you won't make it up many hills. Imagine using your middle chainring and your 2nd smallest cog in the rear. If it's a 26" bike, a 34:18 might be a good starting point for you. If you find that your walk/ride ratio is a little too high, then try 34:19.


andino dirt tastes funny	34x20 sounds good...or maybe 34x21 __________________ FS: Shimano Parts! www.sponsorhouse.com/Members/andino


genusmtbkr5 Single Track Mind	I have a 32:18 and it's on a 26". I don't know how well you can climb, but I know from talking to those who ride 29er, it's tougher on climbs. This is a question best answered by Rut, Shinkin, wrecker, mtnbikej, SlowSSer, OMR as well as many others. All ride 29ers. I'm with andino, my guess would be 34:21 or 22 __________________ Gene"GuidesNewWarriors" *http://www.warriorssociety.org/* *http://www.sharemtb.com/*


guero mmmmm, noogs...	chris, purplehaze was a 32:22 just for reference. that might be a good ratio to start with, as you get stronger move on to 32:20 then 32:18 or something along those lines. __________________ for a good time, click ---> Adrenaline Bikes


new2mtb Senior Member	It depends as to the trail you ride. JPL, strawberry i like riding 34x22. You can also do 34x20 but i like the easier gear. Chantry flats you can do 34x20 easy and can do 18's. oh this is for a 29'er as well. 26 inch wheels is subtract 2 on the rear cog, so 29er 20 cog = 26er 18 cog.


ShinKen STR BUB!!	I started with 32-20 over a year ago!! tried the 32-18 for a very little while and killed my knees on almost every ride!! It dont help that I'm getting older or that I had surgery a few years back I've been doing the 32-19 mix for the most part!! AND I LOVE IT!! and can almost ride any trail with that mix! before anyone says anything I did say almost!! __________________ Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly?


Wrecker THE Penultimate Mtb'er	I ride a 32-21; with the 22, I can make it up most hills; with the 21, I can climb up less (not much less) and don't get as spun out on flats. The problem with starting too high of a gear is your knees, as Shin-Ken said. I think the diameter of the 29'er are estimated at being approx 10% more difficult than a 26'er, so you gear up by two cogs for a comprable ride. If you're really into gear inches, there are a few sites online that help you figure it out--I ride what feels right (for my weak little legs a 32-32 is ideal) __________________ "There are too many factors you have to take into account that you have no control over...The most important factor you can keep in your own hands is yourself. I always placed the greatest emphasis on that." Eddy Merckx


Burner STR Veteran	32:20 seems to be the standard socal gearing for most people I talk to


OMR Daughters = grey hair!	It's such a personal thing... What works for others may not work for you. Depends on your fitness level and the type of terain that you'll be riding. I run a 34 X 22 on my 29er and can climb most anything at Aliso (Mathis, Cholla, etc... while Meadows is a different story... it's hard enough on a geared bike!) I'd suggest starting at 34 X 22 and working your way down as your strength increases. Just be very aware of the impact on your knees... you DO NOT want to screw them up!!!! One of the reasons I'm still able to ride at 65 is that I've always listened to my body (knees especially). Just keep repeating to yourself on the flats: "Spinning is good... spinning is good!" Check out the ActionTec cogs (titanium). OMR __________________ OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe


dstepper Over the Hill	I still have a 18 tooth Surly Cog and a Karate Monkey Fork for sale. Dean __________________ If I'm not lost or getting bushwacked, the trail was too easy. Prescott Valley Houses The Path


CPATCRASH Geddyup!	I'm old (not as old as mtber3737) and I run a 32 X 22. Yes it spins out but I can climb most of the hills around with it. __________________ Cowboy. http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

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