Gain ratio for SS???

Zilla said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?
--
Slacker

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

How about a 34x17, for a 2:1 ratio? Not that I know much about this yet, but
I think you shoot for a 2:1. Don't think you want to go that big up front
for whatever reason, but I bet we find out.

mojo deluxe said:

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

How about a 34x17, for a 2:1 ratio? Not that I know much about this
yet, but I think you shoot for a 2:1. Don't think you want to go that
big up front for whatever reason, but I bet we find out.

Most (all?) I've seen have a 32 up front. a 42 might work if you can put a
21 in the back, but it will probably be easier to get the more commonly used
sizes. I think 2:1 is a god way to start if it's not super steep where you
are. I run 32:17 but there are some stout climbs around here.

Matt

Slacker said:

Quoted message said:

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?
--
Slacker

WTF? I run a 42/15, and I'm old and weak. . .

--
Ted Bennett
Portland OR

Ted Bennett said:

Slacker said:

Quoted message said:

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?

WTF? I run a 42/15, and I'm old and weak. . .

This thread is cross posted to alt.mountain-bike, so I believe people are
assuming the OP is talking about a mountain bike application, even though
he didn't explicitly state as much.

I have a 42/14 on my (road) fixie at the moment, and it's working out
pretty well.

--
Benjamin Lewis

I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of
oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate
commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover

Slacker said:

Zilla said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?
--
Slacker

In engineering school I learned there are no
stupid questions, an advice I hold true. Apparently
that does NOT hold true for answers.

Incidentally that was a typo. I plan to use an existing
middle ring, which is a 32t.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

2:1 is common, so in this case use a 21

Zilla said:

Incidentally that was a typo. I plan to use an existing
middle ring, which is a 32t.

Start off with a straight 2:1 ratio. You can adjust it from there should
you be unhappy with the ratio.

Be warned, using a 32t ring that's just lying around could cause you some
trouble. Have a read of the first page here:
http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/id63.htm - specifically the part about
'Straight cut cogs and chainrings only'.

--
a.m-b FAQ: http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm

a.bmx FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/bmx_faq.htm

Zilla said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Optimal? I don't know. Where to start? Conventional wisdom says...

Chainring/cog = 2 for off-road SS
Chainring/cog = 2.6 for on-road SS or fixie

Start there, and see where you end up.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

I just started out too, riding in a hilly part of Virginia (Blue Ridge
mountains). I have found that I can get along with a 32 x 18 on most hills
(about the same as a 39 x 22), and even a 32 x 16, although this is harder
work. 32 x 18 top pedaling speed is about 27 km/h, while the 16 gives you
another 4-5 km/h on flat roads. Ultimately you should just put on your 32
and try out some gears in the back until you are happy!

Jan

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

I am running my SS as 32 X 18.

I am running my fixie/commuter as 48 X 16.

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

dvt said:

Zilla said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Optimal? I don't know. Where to start? Conventional wisdom says...

Chainring/cog = 2 for off-road SS
Chainring/cog = 2.6 for on-road SS or fixie

Start there, and see where you end up.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

Thanks! I don't have conventional wisdom! 🙂

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Zilla said:

Incidentally that was a typo. I plan to use an existing
middle ring, which is a 32t.

Start off with a straight 2:1 ratio. You can adjust it from there should
you be unhappy with the ratio.

Be warned, using a 32t ring that's just lying around could cause you some
trouble. Have a read of the first page here:
http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/id63.htm - specifically the part about
'Straight cut cogs and chainrings only'.

Yeah, but I pulled it off OK, using an old [censored] Man no freehub, the 26T cog
left in place, home made spacers, and a 32 middle ring - chain never did
come off, however, I seem to have permanently FU my knees, so to save your
knees, maybe you should go with straight cut teeth only...

Shaun aRe ',;~}~

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

Yeah fat building munching lizard guy creature thing - I'd go along with the
others and say just bung on the 32 up front, start 16 and take it from
there, up or down depending.

Oh, and watch those knees if ya ever had trouble with them before, FFS -
mine had given me some grief in the past, but after commuting SS for around
a year or two, maybe (only!) 3 miles each way, only one or two steep hills
in there, they're rather trashed (I _HAVE_ to wear knee supports now
whenever riding gearies, or they get real painful and I struggle even to
walk for a few days...).

Shaun aRe - But don't let me put you off! Heh... ',;~}~

Zilla said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

Try 18T or 19T. I spend most of the time on the 17T and 19T on my 26"
wheeled tourer, with a 42T middle ring. If you ride offroad you might
want to go larger.

Slacker said:

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?

A lot of track bikes run 53T chainrings...

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

What would be the "optimal" gain ratio for one
(me) starting to ride SS? IOW, what should I
shoot for to start with?

Sheldon's equation is
Radius ratio = wheel radius / crank length
Gain ratio = radius ratio x front(teeth) / rear(teeth)

Wheel = 26"
Cranks = 6.75"
...therefore radius ration = 13 / 6.75 = 1.93

Front cog = 42 t
rear cog = ???

Take it from someone who lived and rode in NC for many years, run a 2:1.

JD 34x17 for 4 years

Zog the Undeniable says:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

42... bwhahahahaha

What is this a DH SS?!?!?

A lot of track bikes run 53T chainrings...

But they don't play well in the dirt. Wonder why...?

Steve

"Zilla" wrote

Quoted message said:

Yep, I'm assimilating, acclimating, whatever to
SS riding.

From reading the replies to this, I think everyone misunderstood the OP. By
"SS", she meant "side saddle".