Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
Interestingly, I also started out fixed with about a 63" high gear (40x17/19 dingle with 170 cranks and 700x32) and also quickly ramped up to 70" by increasing chainrings to 42t, then 44t. I'm in central NJ and 63" feels great in my local park (expansive network of flattish trails right outside my neighborhood) but once I get out on the roads and venture further away from my usual leisure routes and on more rolling terrain it feels way too low with too much spinning for my taste. Starting with 63" was more a result of just having the 40t 170 crank and wanting a dingle to start. 17-19 was the smallest Surly dingle cog available and a perfect match to the available WI Eno 17-19 freewheel. I've messed around with this gearing quite a bit the past couple years and more recently divided the fixed cog and freewheel between two different wheelsets and replaced the 170 crank with a 172.5 39t I scored in a trade and running this with the WI Eno 17/19 for approx. 61-62" high which has felt fine while freewheel only on my recent rides. When I convert back to fixed (Still deciding which of 3 frames will get exclusive winter duty this year) I'll go with the Surly 17/19 cog paired with the original 170t double crank and 44/46 chainrings for approx. 63" low and "72-73" high to get the best of both worlds. If I had a Quickbeam with the long, angled rear ends I'd consolidate back to one wheelset with the matching 17/19 fixed/free flip flop but use an "Inverse Double Dingle" set up I previously tested by installing the larger of 2 chainrings on the INSIDE and the smaller chainring on the OUTSIDE of the double crank since the fixed cog sits further inboard of the hub vs the thicker WI freewheel so their chainline is actually off between the two sides and this would allow higher fixed gearing and lower freewheel gearing with the same cogs in back but cleaner chainline in each with the preferred chainring size. I came up with this after learning about the chainline difference between the surly cog and ENO freewheel the first time I tried a 40/42 x 17/19 dingle drivetrain. Brian Cole Lawrenceville, NJ On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 11:25:16 PM UTC-5, ted wrote: > Ian, unsolicited advice (I'm not a Patrick) but ... > > Gearing, particularly fixed gear gearing, is very particular to the rider. > How strong are you, what cadences are you comfortable with, etc. > The best way to get a handle on where to start is to pay attention to what > gears you use on your multi-speed bike, and try putting it in one gear and > leave it there for a while. Also accept the idea that in time you will > likely end up with a collection of rings and cogs, which can be a good > thing and not really all that expensive as bike fetishes go. > > On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 12:38:20 PM UTC-8, Ian A wrote: >> >> Patrick, >> >> Slight thread drift: >> >> Was the ramp up in gear inches from 67 to 71 and 76 due to an increase in >> strength/familiarity with riding fixed? Or was it the result of trial and >> error. >> >> I'm planning a fixie build, once the Christmas season passes and finances >> settle, and I'm wondering about my best gearing options off the bat. I live >> in a relatively flat city, that has a few noticeable acute climbs (river >> valley topography). >> >> Also, it looks like there are more options in the 3/32 chain width >> standard for cogs. Can I get away with using 8 speed chain rings, or is >> that asking for derailment issues? >> >> Thanks for any insights >> IanA >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
Ian, unsolicited advice (I'm not a Patrick) but ... Gearing, particularly fixed gear gearing, is very particular to the rider. How strong are you, what cadences are you comfortable with, etc. The best way to get a handle on where to start is to pay attention to what gears you use on your multi-speed bike, and try putting it in one gear and leave it there for a while. Also accept the idea that in time you will likely end up with a collection of rings and cogs, which can be a good thing and not really all that expensive as bike fetishes go. On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 12:38:20 PM UTC-8, Ian A wrote: > > Patrick, > > Slight thread drift: > > Was the ramp up in gear inches from 67 to 71 and 76 due to an increase in > strength/familiarity with riding fixed? Or was it the result of trial and > error. > > I'm planning a fixie build, once the Christmas season passes and finances > settle, and I'm wondering about my best gearing options off the bat. I live > in a relatively flat city, that has a few noticeable acute climbs (river > valley topography). > > Also, it looks like there are more options in the 3/32 chain width > standard for cogs. Can I get away with using 8 speed chain rings, or is > that asking for derailment issues? > > Thanks for any insights > IanA > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
I love that this thread started in the midst of the SS/fixie thing, then sat out 9 years until it became a thing again ;-) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
=On Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 1:38 PM, Ian A wrote: > ... > > Was the ramp up in gear inches from 67 to 71 and 76 due to an increase in > strength/familiarity with riding fixed? Or was it the result of trial and > error. > Both, really. I started low, afraid that if I went any higher than my 63" gear, I'd have to get off and walk at each hill -- which was silly, because even back then -- circa 1996 -- I tended not to downshift a great deal for hills. I quickly found out that I disliked having to pedal so fast on flats (this was back when I could maintain 21-23 on the open road at 108-120 rpm -- I used to count cadence) and geared up. OTOH, I was also, back then, a spinner, and I am convinced that riding fixed helped make me into a masher, so in my own analysis of my gearing progress, there are conundrums I haven't figured out myself. At any rate, I do know that there was indeed a physiological adaptation that happened relatively quickly; certainly within 6 to 12 months if not sooner; there also was a psychological adaptation -- eg, don't "automatically" try to maintain speed against winds and on hills -- that took several years -- I recall complaining to myself how I hated headwinds when riding fixed; but after several years, I'd learned or reprogrammed to simply maintain a level of effort instead of a level of speed. And of course, there is the physiological adaptation to standing for longer periods and remaining aerobic; and the psychological adaptation of simply learning to "thinking ahead" to conserve energy for what is to come; ever more important as I age. None of this is rocket science; I find fixed and all its various ramifications very interesting, since I love riding fixed so much, but really, it's simply a matter of getting on and doing it -- and, of giving yourself enough time to get used to it before you say, "I don't like it." Eric Norris, sometime of this list, did PBP fixed, and toured across the Rockies fixed; he should chime in. As to rings and cogs: One other advantage of fixed drivetrains is that you can get by with just about anything. 1/8, 3/32, 10 speed chains -- it all works. You can put a 1/8" chain on a 10 speed ring to pull a 3/32 cog, no problem. I once used a 10 sp chain on an old 5 sp-era (? Old Pro 5 Vis) ring pulling a 3/32 fixed cog; the 10 sp chain had a 8 speed chain masterlink. It worked fine. The only finickiness is if you use a Dingle cog; these require a chain no wider than one made for 9 speed cassettes; 8 speeders and older rub the adjacent cog. > > I'm planning a fixie build, once the Christmas season passes and finances > settle, and I'm wondering about my best gearing options off the bat. I live > in a relatively flat city, that has a few noticeable acute climbs (river > valley topography). > > Also, it looks like there are more options in the 3/32 chain width > standard for cogs. Can I get away with using 8 speed chain rings, or is > that asking for derailment issues? > > Thanks for any insights > IanA > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. Other professional writing services. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique ** ** *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
Patrick, Slight thread drift: Was the ramp up in gear inches from 67 to 71 and 76 due to an increase in strength/familiarity with riding fixed? Or was it the result of trial and error. I'm planning a fixie build, once the Christmas season passes and finances settle, and I'm wondering about my best gearing options off the bat. I live in a relatively flat city, that has a few noticeable acute climbs (river valley topography). Also, it looks like there are more options in the 3/32 chain width standard for cogs. Can I get away with using 8 speed chain rings, or is that asking for derailment issues? Thanks for any insights IanA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
Jack Brown Blues. I'm on my second set. I had considered JB Greens and some flavor of Compass, but love the JBB enough to keep them rolling. On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 1:23:40 PM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote: > > What tires do you all commonly use on the QB? A rough guesstimate using > Jim's trail calculator says that a 35-to-42 (actual) mm tire, the width I > assume you'd choose for the QB, gives a wheel diameter of 27.5" to 28", so > a 40 X 18 would give you a 61-62 inch gear, which is certainly usable, but > IME rather low for all 'round pavement and dirt road riding -- ie, the sort > of riding you'd be likely to do on a 35 mm or 42 mm tire. > > I started off riding fixed/ss with a 63" gear, and rather quickly ramped > it up to 67/8" and then to 70/71" for commuting and grocery getting; in > fact, I found 63" quite nice for my Monocog 29er. IME, the 65 to 70 gi > range is a good one for all rounder riding, though I use a slightly higher > gear for the gofast. Note that 70" and 76" do very well in firm dirt with > gradual inclines. > > On Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 12:18 AM, lum gim fong > wrote: > >> If i ever ss i hope twill be on a Qbeam. >> I will try the 40x18stock option. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com . >> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com >> . >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > > > -- > Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. > By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. > Other professional writing services. > http://www.resumespecialties.com/ > www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ > Patrick Moore > Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique > ** > ** > *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: 50 Miles on the Quickbeam today - thoughts on 40x18
What tires do you all commonly use on the QB? A rough guesstimate using Jim's trail calculator says that a 35-to-42 (actual) mm tire, the width I assume you'd choose for the QB, gives a wheel diameter of 27.5" to 28", so a 40 X 18 would give you a 61-62 inch gear, which is certainly usable, but IME rather low for all 'round pavement and dirt road riding -- ie, the sort of riding you'd be likely to do on a 35 mm or 42 mm tire. I started off riding fixed/ss with a 63" gear, and rather quickly ramped it up to 67/8" and then to 70/71" for commuting and grocery getting; in fact, I found 63" quite nice for my Monocog 29er. IME, the 65 to 70 gi range is a good one for all rounder riding, though I use a slightly higher gear for the gofast. Note that 70" and 76" do very well in firm dirt with gradual inclines. On Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 12:18 AM, lum gim fong wrote: > If i ever ss i hope twill be on a Qbeam. > I will try the 40x18stock option. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. Other professional writing services. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique ** ** *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.