r/seattlebike • u/ibidyouadewclaw • 1d ago
Seattle single speed riders: what ratios are you running?
I’ve been trying out 32x12 daily on my 12-speed this past week around Greenwood, Phinney, Fremont, and Greenlake. would love to know what ratios have worked for well versed single speed riders here.
This is more of a fun/nostalgic way to ride for me, so not looking for suggestions to “just get gears” more curious what’s actually working for people committed to SS in Seattle.
Would love to know:
- preferred ratios
- neighborhoods or routes you ride
- dealbreaker climbs for your setup (if any)
Right now my main dealbreaker climbs (until I get stronger) are Fremont Ave and 83rd up into Greenwood from Greenlake. Would love to train up to those though.
Any perspectives appreciated. cheers!
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u/RidetheWalrusj2 1d ago
When I rode a track bike regularly, I rode 42 x 17. It seemed comfy enough on flats and climbs, but definitely spun out like crazy on descents. I feel on a single speed it wouldn't be that bad at all.
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u/RidetheWalrusj2 1d ago
For context, I rode this ratio from Ballard (65th/24th) to Cap Hill (Broadway/Roy st.) daily for about a year. I was also 23-25 then. Handled the northside ascent into the hill as reasonably as it could for a fixed gear.
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u/ibidyouadewclaw 1d ago
That's impressive! In the ballpark of what i've been trying out the past few days. thanks for sharing
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u/gartho009 1d ago
37/17 on my fixed gear has treated me well for a long time. You gotta spin to win!
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u/killdyl 1d ago
I don't ride a single speed anymore...I used to use one for courier work that was 46 x 16, seemed like a good mix of climbing ability for downtown and fast enough to get out of the core when necessary. Nowadays I'm just a mechanic so I only ride track bikes for commuting to the shop. I'm more concerned with skid patches, so my preferred ratio is 47 x 18. It's a little spinnier than I'd like on flats, but that's okay because I can get up any hill in town on it. But it depends, my chunky winter bike is 42 x 17 because it's heavy and it's got wider studded tires that slow it down, whereas my aluminum track bike is 48 x 15 because it's light and fast and I only take it out for fun stuff. So it kind of depends on the bike and takes a bit of experimentation. Which is easier said than done for most
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u/F1ddlerboy 1d ago
42x19. I ride over Phinney Ridge regularly, and that lets me get up Phinney from Greenlake by tacking back and forth. When I moved to town from the east coast, it was 42x16, and I moved to 17 and then 19 as I realized I couldn't really get up the hills. I top out at 18-19mph on the flats, but that's find for commuting, and descending most hills here I don't bother pedaling.
EDIT: when I ride up Phinney, I climb at 77th, which I find the best balance between steepness, length, and distance out of my way (83rd is much less steep, but further north than I want to go).