My Raleigh Pro Track came stock with 48 x 14 in 1973, and that's what I rode for many years, sometimes starting out the season with a 16. Last year I switched to the 16, but in light of these posts, I think I might try an 18. The hills here are a bit steep for a 16.
48 x 16 makes it pretty hard to stop without a front brake, and I'm too cheap to skid sewups on a regular basis.
Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont
> In this recent thread regarding stopping fixed gear bikes several people
\r?\n> have mentioned their choice of gearing for road use. It sounds like
\r?\n> everyone is using a higher gear then me. I started using a fixed wheel
\r?\n> for road riding in about 1973. The old timers that coached us advocated
\r?\n> a 63" gear (42x18). I've stuck with that through my 14 year racing
\r?\n> career and the 16 years since. What do you guys ride?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Jamie Swan - Northport, N.Y.