[henrymiller1]

I ride a rigid SS. I love it, after reading many 29er first's stories, i'm ready. I started with a Niner EMD frame. I'm building it as a 1x9 with front suspension. If i were to scrap the geared idea and build it as a SS. What gearing would be comparable? I'm sure i can figure it out with math, but asking here may be faster. I'll may do it any way. OH and what if i go with a 180 vs. 175 crank? Thanks

 

[Harry Zimmermann]

I went from a 26" SS with 32x17 to a 29er with 36x22. Slightly lower than the old bike (around 3%), but it feels the same to me. I used the same 180mm cranks on both bikes. For some reason, I can grunt up hills a lot more easily on the new bike, even though it's heavier.

 

[henrymiller1]

Any help?

HELP!
Thanks.

 

[pimpbot]

Just check the specs on stock singlespeed bikes

HELP!
Thanks.

Most stock singlespeeds run 32*20. You can use the gear calculator at Sheldonbrown.com to see what the equivalent ratios may be.

I'm running 34*21, which is a tad taller, but I wish I went shorter. I thought 32*20 was perfect for my level of fitness (not very good) and my terrain (hilly, but I tend to avoid the big hills).

YMMV.

I also recently switched form 175mm cranks to 180s. I hardly notice the loss of 'spin' but I love the extra bit of torque. BTW, I'm 5'10" with a 33" pant inseam.

Also, I think the EMD9 does not have any kind of chain adjustment. You either have to find a 'magic ratio' (which doesn't account for drivetrain wear anyway) or use a tensioner.... and IMO tensioners suck. I ran a Surly Singulator on my old singlespeed, and could not get it to keep my chain from jumping. Push-up, push-down, locked down however... didn't make much difference.

 

[southernbrad]

Henry

you really need to know more information to answer your question properly. A good place to start though is add two teeth to the rear cog you use on your 26 inch bike to get comparable gearing out of your 29er. i.e. 32:16 on a 26 inch bike is roughly 32:18 on a proper wheeled bike, both give approx 52 gear inches.

cheers

 

[Patch]

I had an EMD and ran a 32 x 20 using the Magic Gear Calculator. The chain will stretch but never dropped a chain. I will qualify this by saying that I only rode it this for a month this way before I bought a SS frame with horizontal dropouts. I was looking at the White Ind ENO eccentric hub or the Forward Components bottom bracket as a tensioning solution before buying the Jabberwocky.

Here's the Magic Gear link: http://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php

 

[henrymiller1]

Thanks for help everybody. I'm pretty sure i'll build it / and keep it geared. This bike is for new hilly places to ride. If i ever decide to make it a SS. I'll have some work cut out for me. Nner EMD has no adjustment and will need a magic gear or a fancy hub. Tensioners do suck. Thanks again, I'm off to Sheldon Brown's site.