[allroy71]

I have been riding SS for about 3 months (I also do some easy road rides) and I did a ride yesterday that got me thinking that may be I should go lower on the gearing. I am wondering how low you have gone.

Right now, I am running 32/22 on a 29er. I have been eyeing the Homebrewed 24T!! But may be, I should just ride SS more!!

 

[balance_fit]

My Jamis SS rigid 29er runs a 33x20. I can handle all but the very steepest of my trails, which are mostly loose over hardpack with the ocassional root, loam and baby head.
No long climbs in my area, the longest hill is a 4 section loose over hardpack jeep trail that takes some 5 minutes to conquer.

 

[stubecontinued]

I've been wondering the same thing, how low is too low? I'm running 32x18 on a 26" bike, but I've been thinking of going to 31T HBC ring in the front or 19 or 20 in the rear... This is on and off road in San Francisco and the surrounding area. Gear down or man up???

 

[jmmUT]

24x17 on a 26" But that was trials...

 

[Thor29]

I currently run a 32/21 on a 29er for CA Bay Area trails. I tried a 22, but it spun out too quickly on the flat sections. I can't imagine going any lower for than that unless you ride somewhere with almost zero flat sections. I've never seen any trails like that in California, Colorado, or Utah, but maybe they exist somewhere.

As for Stubecontinued... I say "man up". 32/18 is a great offroad gear, but it's a bit small for the road. So I'd leave it alone unless you like spinning like crazy. I live in SF too, so I know you don't want lower gears than what you already have - you'll get run over by all the commuters who for some reason are always pedaling max speed (Doesn't anyone in SF ever just cruise along at a nice relaxed pace? Sure doesn't seem like it to me.)

 

[henrymiller1]

I've been running a 36/16 on my 26er. It is the perfect gear set up for my salsa. i love it, but need to ride it more. I tried a 36/15 but needed a tensioner, It hurt my knees and i didn't like the tensioner, Back to old gears.

 

[campredcloudbikes]

30/22 *26
one footed...... due to tendonitis......

 

[sunset1123]

34/22 on 26" on a bike designed specifically for playing in the rocks.

I would think 30/22 on a 29er wouldn't be too bad at all.

 

[rockhopperss]

34x18 on 26" for riding 20+ miles on a limestone trail. Works out to be about 13mph average with a nice cadence. Perfect (my girlfriend is no speed demon...)
Would probably go to a 34x20 to hit dirt though, would make life just a little easier... but I built my SS for the limestone trail (canal path). Wanted light weight and no shifters Lets me keep a clear mind and focus on what I am there for: the love of cycling and seeing nature!

 

[jackspade]

22x16 on 26"

I ride like 10-20miles per trip with that.

 

[Mr Pink57]

40x16, wasn't my bike but it was a pig to push up any hill. I currently run 33x20.

 

[AtotheZ]

When I lived in South Texas I ran 32x16 with no problems - now that I live in North Texas I go between 32x17 to 32x22 (depending on where I'm riding for the day)

 

[wfo922]

Buy a few cogs and the tools to change them out in field. Stick with one brand, it will make set up easier. You may need a chain for extreme tooth change. I've been SSing for three months and run a 32/21 on a 29er and ride in PNW.

 

[Foote30]

For what its worth:

started with a 32x21 on a 26 and thought that was a very hard gear, kept with it.

switched to 32x20 on a 29 and thought it was tough, and the bike shop guy told me there was no was i could even turn the pedals on any harder of a gear.

went against his advice and switched to 32x18 on the 29, it was very hard at first but it is my primary choice unless I am doing a really long ride with a lot of climbing.

ride primarily in CO and UT with quite a bit of climbing I guess

good luck

 

[pinkrobe]

Started off with 32x18 on a 26", stalled out on climbs.
Went to 32x19 on a 26", didn'ts stall out on climbs but expected my patellas to shoot off my legs and kill somebody.
Went to 32x20 on a 26" and rode everything.
Went to 32 x 20 on a 29" and stalled out on climbs
Went to 32 x 22 on a 29" and rode almost everything

 

[sslos]

When I lived in South Texas I ran 32x16 with no problems - now that I live in North Texas I go between 32x17 to 32x22 (depending on where I'm riding for the day)

32x22 in North Texas?!?

Los

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

24x17 (700c wheels) on my trash find that I use for polo sometimes

 

[stubecontinued]

henrymiller-do you ride off-road with that gear??? Or up hill...?

 

[jellytronics]

32x18 on a 26er, ride in MD for 10-20 mi on average. stall on tough climbs unless i manage to find a good line

 

[petersbike]

If you are bringing extra cogs and tools with you on a Single Speed ride to change during said ride; Maybe you should consider riding a geared bike.