Harvey Sachs <sachs@erols.com> wrote: --------- Riding with the brothers [Sanford](corrected) on a 30-mile "fixed gear friendly" ride Sunday, I was embarassed when I could not remember the gearing on the pre-War Paramount. It had a 46x18. Gave gears of 69", 62" and 52" with the Sturmey ASC 3-speed fixed gear, which was about ok for my 58 year old legs. A bit high on a couple of climbs, and I wrapped out at over 130 cadence (27 mph) on a couple of descents. But great fun.
It was interesting that there was quite a variety of gearing (and bikes) on the club ride. I was on my Waterford track bike (44x16) (69"), my brother Ken on a Paramount track bike was (I think) on 44x17 (68"), not sure what gearing Hutch was using on his track bike but likely close to 68", but the "Animal" of the group was on a (new) custom 64" Track bike (with a 64" top tube) was riding an 83" gear with 180mm cranks. All riders had a front brake.
I've played a lot with gearing, and like 69", however will quickly go to a 15 or even a 14t cog on a flater ride if I expect a faster pace.
Ben Sanford
Falls Church, VA