The correct gear ratio

What I ride now on the trails, I'd go a little smaller on the rear maybe for urban riding, kinda slow (and boring) ride on the streets if I need to get to a trailhead.

It could be cool to get more responses... just a thought.

36/16 sounds a little too tall for trials and some urban, but you'll never know until you try it. It might be a good starting point.

What would you suggest instead, 36/14? 15?

Hmm 36/16 is too heavy in my opinion. Especially for trails. I would go into 36/18 or even 36/20. You will not go very fast but you need the leverage for trails and quick responsive acceleration. But hey just my .02

OK for trail riding 2:1 is a pretty good starting ratio so 36/18. Urban riding I'd go a little taller than that, maybe 36/16. For trials riding I run a 20/17. If you have no experience riding trials with the appropriate ratio you'll probably never know, but I daresay you're going to need an extra cog on the back for the two very different riding styles. Or switch down to the granny ring on the front to run with the 18t cog. 22/18 is a good trials gear as well.

- Joel

Thanks for the input, mind you trials isn't what I like most, but sometimes it is needed around here.

I typically run a 34:15 around town and at the local skate park.

I usually run a 34:17 at the local trails. Here in the midwest the ups and downs are short and steep.