ideal size for a ss chainring

[elite504]

for what its worth, I use a 42/ 16 on my commuter. . The excellent singlespeed.exe program lets you work out which ratios will let you setup on vertical dropouts without a tensioner. . . however I appear to have 'lost' the program, so I guess we can google it and somehow archive it.

For what its worth too, at the shop I used to work at, we used to have a dude that ran a 53/13 fixed on his hack. Legs like michael hubner, and the way he wound it up from the lights reminded me of a hammer thrower. Animal. Was prone to rolling tubs off rims too. .

 

[Neil G]

I'd use a similar gear to a lot of BMXs i.e 44/16

lot of cassette hubs now going down to 11/10 & 9t drivers which can be run with super small chainrings. I run a 30/11 and it's a nice gear to push.

 

[Andy R]

I'd use a similar gear to a lot of BMXs i.e 44/16

lot of cassette hubs now going down to 11/10 & 9t drivers which can be run with super small chainrings. I run a 30/11 and it's a nice gear to push.

As far as using BMX gearing - this is ok if you're going to use 20" wheels but 26"wheels have a lot greater rolling circumference...

30:11 a nice gear to push :roll: ?? Blimey mate! - with that ratio in my case it would be more like "Get off and push !" It equates to something like 42:15, there's not much that isn't downhill that I could ride with that gearing on a singlespeed !!

 

[Max P]

30/11 is a silly lack of chain wrap.

Firm believer in bigger rings for more chain wrap, less wear and a smoother drivetrain. I run 39/19 - a tadge over 2:1.

 

[Harryburgundy]

38/16 for me....agree with Max...more chain wrap the better.
HB

 

[Neil G]

30/11 is a silly lack of chain wrap.

Firm believer in bigger rings for more chain wrap, less wear and a smoother drivetrain. I run 39/19 - a tadge over 2:1.

Have you seen what people on BMXs are up to these days? Sorry, but the gearing on my BMX takes FAR more abuse and load than my MTB ever will and without any problems/noticable wear.

Have to admit it was odd going from a 16 driver down to a 11 but it works.

As for not being able to push it.....just need to get to thegym more often lol

 

[P20]

I run 32:16 on the Bonty, which has been fine and gives improved clearance over logs etc. I'm in the process of changing to the 'magic ratio' of 34:17 which should allow me to ditch the chain tensioner.
As always Sheldon Brown has something about this on his site

 

[Russell]

32/16 for me. Not the easiest gear on steep climbs but the more you ride it the fitter you get and the easier it gets to push