[biss-ness]

which is better for urban 44t/18t or 44t/16t...
to and from work...

 

[riderx]

which is better for urban 44t/18t or 44t/16t...
to and from work...

Depends on a few things, mainly: how fit are you? What's the terrain like? What kind of distance are you talking? What size wheels are you using?

There's not a huge difference in those gears, especially on 26" wheels. Best thing to do, try one and if it doesn't work, try the other. If you already have one of those combos, use that one first. Cheap is good.

 

[biss-ness]

Depends on a few things, mainly: how fit are you? What's the terrain like? What kind of distance are you talking? What size wheels are you using?

There's not a huge difference in those gears, especially on 26" wheels. Best thing to do, try one and if it doesn't work, try the other. If you already have one of those combos, use that one first. Cheap is good.

it's moslty flat, with rolling hills, with a total distance of 6 miles, i am using 26 in w/ semi slicks 1.9 . and your right cheap is great

 

[Neeek]

I used a 46:16 combo when commuting in London. But that's me, and you're you, so...

Experiment with what you have. If happy, good. If not happy, experiment more.

 

[Lord Humongous]

I just switched from a 44/18 to a 44/16 yesterday. I rode to work, (mostly downhill) on the 44/18 and switched to the 16 tooth for the ride home, (mostly uphill.) I find the 44/16 better mimics the climbing feel of my 32/18 that I use offroad, the 44/18 was to easy to push up road hills. Of course everyone is different, you may have to experiment.

 

[bulC]

how to tell for sure

instead of talking about what mimics what, what feels like what, QUANTIFY:
gear inches=#front teeth divided by #rear teeth multiplied by wheel diameter.
compare your suggested gear combos to tell for sure which is higher/lower. compare them both to your preferred gearie gear combos.