yep..
Ted is talking inch-pitch of course. Which was the track standard til the 1960's. And all the sizes he mentioned are why the 9 and 10 tooth cogs are so hard to find. While all the Nx8 and Nx7 sizes are great for the track and some time trials, they would not be my choice for just comfortable riding on the road.
I am heading off to RAGBRAI next week and plan on using a 23 x 9...
Ken Sanford
Kensington, MD
> Are you missing some teeth? 25x8? Would that be 50x16 nowadays?
>
> Doland
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of ternst
> Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 3:06 PM
> To: Tony & Shellie Welch; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Typical road race gear
>
> Pretty easy.
> That's what we used when I started.
> The regular guys maybe as low as 24x8.
> Medium to better riders, longer distance, maybe over 25 miles, 25x8.
> The "A: class usually 26x8 unless too hilly, then 25x8. In shorter races
> some guys used 23x7, but 26 was more common as then one only had to
> change front ring between 25 and 26. It also rolled along better.
> In short sprints a good strong sprinter may have gone to a 27, but wind
> and finish straight needed to be favorable.
> By staying with 26/25 the guys could use the same gears on the tracks.
> Other guys wanted the jump and acceleration and then they may have used
> 23, 24, or 25 x 7 for a quicker snap in the sprint.
> When jamming along on the road in a pace line it was comfortable rolling
> at around 25 mph.
> One had to step into it on longer hills, but there was not too much
> activity cycling wise in the hilly country and guys could push up the
> grades and not spin out on the down.
> If you have another Q or two, please ask Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates
> CA USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tony & Shellie Welch" <tswelch@indy.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 10:32 PM
> Subject: [CR]Typical road race gear
>
>
>> I've been wondering what a typical gear choice would be in a flat road
>
>> race back in the days when they road fixed gear.
>>
>> Anyone remember?
>>
>> Tony Welch
>> Indianapolis, IN