Single Speed Cogs

[elic_berry]

I was looking for your advise guys.
I am using 29er SS now and the gear ration is 32-18.
The same ratio was Ok for Lebanon on my usual bike, but I think I should go to 32-20 or 32-21 on my 29er Karate Monkey. So what ratio would you recommend for Lebanon and/or Murphy and what would be a good place to get 20,21,22 cogs for reasonable price?

Thank you

PS just from your experience do you often change your ratio on SS? as I see 32-16 in ok for Theodore but not ok for some Lebanon's climbs :banghead:

[ppgc]

I was looking for your advise guys.
I am using 29er SS now and the gear ration is 32-18.
The same ratio was Ok for Lebanon on my usual bike, but I think I should go to 32-20 or 32-21 on my 29er Karate Monkey. So what ratio would you recommend for Lebanon and/or Murphy and what would be a good place to get 20,21,22 cogs for reasonable price?

Thank you

PS just from your experience do you often change your ratio on SS? as I see 32-16 in ok for Theodore but not ok for some Lebanon's climbs :banghead:

I run 32-20 on my Karate Monkey at Leb and Murphy. It is a little slow in spots but works fine on the climbs. Not sure about reasonable price, I ride the Chris King cogs and love them. I don't change too often unless I am going to the river bottoms or salem and then I run the 18 or 17 on the back :)

[Steven W.]

I ride 32:18 at all times on my SS 29er. Leb and Murphy are the trails I frequent. I am not much help, but if you do it a few times, you build your legs up and won't look back. The 32:20-21 might be good for climbs, but that's it...you'll be spinning like crazy on the flats.

[elic_berry]

so on Lebanon camel-back with skinny one on uphill is ok on 29er SS with 32-18?? this is my main concern, I was always thinking I am barely doing it on my usual bike with 32-18


I ride 32:18 at all times on my SS 29er. Leb and Murphy are the trails I frequent. I am not much help, but if you do it a few times, you build your legs up and won't look back. The 32:20-21 might be good for climbs, but that's it...you'll be spinning like crazy on the flats.

[Steven W.]

so on Lebanon camel-back with skinny one on uphill is ok on 29er SS with 32-18?? this is my main concern, I was always thinking I am barely doing it on my usual bike with 32-18

I am ONLY speaking for myself, but I have had no issues. It would be "easier" with 20 or 21 tooth cog, but I'm thinking about the whole trail and not just a few select spots. I like to be able to go fast and keep up with the gear heads on the flats and down hills. I haven't seen myself falling behind on the climbs either. Personal preference only.

[manual63]

I change my gear depending on the trail. For Leb on a 29er I run 32:20. At Theo I run 32:18.

A 32:18 on a 29er is close to a 32:16 on a 26er. I do find that I can accelerate and climb better on my 26er than on the 29er. I think that has to do with the smaller wheels. Because of that, I can run 32:16 on my 26er at both Leb and Murphy.

As for gears, make sure you get either the cheapo Shimano steel ones that are for singlespeeds or BMX. They have deeper teeth and no ramps.....which allows you chain to stay on better. Surly makes some super nice singlespeed cogs, but at a price.

[Shorty]

...and what would be a good place to get 20,21,22 cogs...

If you are looking for new, the Hub on Minnehaha Ave should have most or all of those.

If you are looking to pay less than retail, try looking for used cog in the classifieds here and on MTBR.

[elic_berry]

thanks a lot! I am going to try 32-18 and will be looking for 20t cog

[hockeynut]

As you SS more you'll see that everyone is different. I'm a masher and can't spin fast rpms too well, so I tend to gear on the harder side of things. 34-18 at Memorial (though I have yet to clean all the climbs in one lap) on a 29er is how I roll.

Personally, I wouldn't go through the trouble of changing my gearing when going between any of the metro trails other than Afton and maybe BC. None of the other trails have anything that I'd classify as a climb so the effort saved or time gained by changing gearing would be lost just in the time I spent changing the gearing.

But, everyone will be different....

[qheuie]

on my 29er I ran/run 32/18 just about everywhere. you may stall on some obstacles, but hey, that's what riding a SS is about: you'll figure out how to make it the next time.

i use some dimension brand cogs that I got from hollywood for about $5 each.
these:
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CS407Z01-Dimension+Splined+Cog+For+Singlespeed.aspx

perfect for finding your desired gear. then knock yourself out with the $30 surly cogs. downside: dimension only makes up to 20 tooth.

if you think your gearing is too tall, stand up, give it a few rides and you'll be used to it in no time.

[ppgc]

As you SS more you'll see that everyone is different.

So true.


None of the other trails have anything that I'd classify as a climb so the effort saved or time gained by changing gearing would be lost just in the time I spent changing the gearing.

But, everyone will be different....

I can change that rear cog in less than 3 mins with some of that time opening a beer. :D

[El Chupacabra]

I run a 32:18 on my 29er and find myself walking up a few hills at Battle Creek. I'd like to change it out with a 20 tooth in the rear, but I never seem to get around to ordering one.

[gtbikes]

I am ONLY speaking for myself, but I have had no issues. It would be "easier" with 20 or 21 tooth cog, but I'm thinking about the whole trail and not just a few select spots. I like to be able to go fast and keep up with the gear heads on the flats and down hills. I haven't seen myself falling behind on the climbs either. Personal preference only.

I run a 32x21 on the SS, with a White Industries (pricey but way worth it) freewheel and usually have very little problems at Leb for doing a full Lap in under an hour (includes the new section on my last count). As for Murphy, only then in do I spin, for Theo and obviously Salem it can be a spin fest in places. Perfect for passing other riders going up hill during the powder monkey (that's right SS passing gearies on the uphill?!?). Other places like Hillside, BC it makes riding enjoyable, though I'm sure a 19/20 would work better and make me not so lazy.

my 2 cents!

[SDRider]

I run a 32x20 on my 29er. It seems harder to climb than my 32x17 26er, not sure why, they say about 2 cogs for a 26 to a 29 and I went 3. Maybe I am just getting old :)

I run the White Industries ENO. I have ran the ACS and they are fine but can get a little noisy after a couple hudred miles. I have had no issues with my ENO.