DaViD AuKeR

 Ok, I confess, I ride a fixed gear in spite of group hugs, years of therapy

and 12 step programs.

Henri Desgrange wrote, in a L'Equipe article of 1902..."I still feel

that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it

better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice

of a deraileur? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"



Hmmm, I'm over forty-five...



About gear size on fixed ....sure depends on your terrain/topography

choices. I tend to like the funky/chunky, little hills around Portland,

that would be impractical on high gears. For instance: SW18th Drive

from Sunset Blvd to Fairmount (little bit of gravel trail in there).

42x18 will still have you standing...you won't be thinking of it as a

"really low gear!"



No gear will be absolutely perfect...you're gonna have sorta

inapplicable high rpm's on the flats/downhills, and the rpm's are gonna

drop way low on some climbs. A compromise.



For the urban area, I think something around a 62" gear is easier to

control than bigger gears for both the accelerations AND decelerations

required. There are probably plenty of bike messengers with big gear

preferences, though! :-)



David



 Ok, I confess, I ride a fixed gear in spite of group hugs, years of therapy

and 12 step programs. The simplicity, minimal maintenance, and effective

workout keeps me on the saddle. Even so..what's the thing with really low

gears and steep hills? I tend to gear higher and choose more rolling terrain

: standing on the upgrades, spinning out on the descents and running along

the flats geared such that I can do 18-20 mph at 10 -15 rpm above what I

settle into on my multi-speed. Care to enlighten?

                     Bill