Neill Currie writes:
> Anyone know where such a beast can be bought. I
> anticipate going from a 48 x 18 to a 46 x 18, and
> since I have semi-vertical dropouts, I'll need one.
There is a wonderful resource for fixed-gear riders who use vertical
dropouts: The Fixed innovations web page, created by stalwart fixed-gear
rider and creative guy Eric House. Find it at http://www.peak.org/
The part you need is his "FixMeUp" program, that'll tell you which combinations of chainring and rear cog will work with a given chainstay length, to get the gear ratio you want. The java form of the program (http://www.peak.org/~fixin/javafmu.html) is the coolest, works in your web browser if you have Java on your computer. (He has links to get your Java up to speed if it isn't) He also has a stand-alone program (http://www.peak.org/~fixin/downloads.html) you can download and run on your PC or Mac, that doesn't need Java.
It's a bit complicated, and you need to measure your chainstay length very precisely, but he has excellent instructions - I'm just saying you may have to actually *read* 'em, however that may go against the guy code. Even how "stretched" or worn-out your chain is makes a difference in what gears will work, but his program deals with that too.
Check it out!
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA