Gary Watts concluded asking Any one have insight into the 50's-60's gearing for racing? Is thechanges due only to more rear cogs over time?
During my time in the 1950/60 there was a notable change in the type and size of gear a racing cyclist of the era would use. For instance in the
early years the majority rode single fixed wheel and changed the single chain wheel or rear sprocket according to their needs. At that time 27" wheels were the norm and for training the favourite would be a 66" gear made up of 44T x 18T and towards the season a "medium" 72", some early time trial events were restricted only to use this particular ratio. As the season progressed the popular gearing was a 48T x 16 = 81" or the 50T x 16T =84. In addition to single fixed hub gears were used for the longer distances mostly using the wide and close ratios It should be said that hub gears were also popular with touring club folk The change to derailleur became popular in the mid fifties with the mass start fraternity with double chain wheels and their triple sprockets. This method of gearing soon became popular with the other disciplines of road racing which gradually saw the demise of fixed wheel riding as we knew it! Whether this transition made it easier to attack the various harder terrain or not is any ones guess.The choice of both fixed and gear ratios could always be adjusted to suit one's need and fitness by simply changing either front or rear sprockets !.
Fashions changed in those days as they do today, is it called upgrading or ," I must have the latest", I wonder!
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK