Quadsworth explains singlespeed gearing

Wondering how the pros choose their chainring, cog and gear ratio? Curious how to setup your singlespeed bike? Or just trying to figure out gear ratios and when bigger combos might make more sense?
Pivot pro singlespeed racer Gordon "Quadsworth" Wadsworth walks us through his setup and thought process. From "singlespeed math", gear combos, gear inches and more, it's all covered right here.
This was shot trailside between our practice lap and race lap, at Mill Mountain in Roanoke, VA. Wanna see how we fared racing against him on his home turf? Check out this video:
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[@natokowski734]

Bloody brilliant info. Thanks

[@JahNawl]

57 gear inches is very doable for all purpose commuting and day touring. I did this for years, including fast but safe NYC street traffic travel. There are very few hills steep enough in NYC to require dismounting. Upstate NY is a different story - more walking, or better yet, multi-gearing is a better option when dealing with very long grades.

[@seantoher3287]

38 18 for me. Its tough on big hills so you have to push hard and spin a lot on the flats

[@timsim83]

Thank you

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

i'm used to old school gearing and rode FS mtb's with a road crank so 42/22 works good for me. the ratio of any gear in pedaling is always without a factor,the persons legs pedaling it.

[@rjfpace]

42x19 w 26” wheels works for me. I’ll climb 3k feet in 2 hours. 10mph average. I’d rather be too tall than spin. But I have to be selective on my routes with short steeps and long modertates. I love single speed but spinning frustrates me to no end.

[@KompletterGeist]

@2:40 Can somebody explain, how bigger cogs would make pedaling "mechanically more efficient"? (assuming same gear ratio compared to smaller cogs). All that I can think of is that it reduces chain wear That statement just seems strictly incorrect to me

[@juanfo7307]

Shallower angle of the links on the teeth

[@bartmullin2379]

I run 28 by 18; touring, trail, chill urban gear that also can do a sweet, quick intersection sprint. Also, am 49 so... Gear size also comfortable with 27.5+ fatties (2.8 to 3.0). Don't get too o.c.d. about ratios, just what works for me and my objectives.

[@EC-ol8nz]

Ned Overend looks so young these days 🤣👍🏿

[@DIY-DaddyO]

😂 only people of a certain age will get that without Googling 😂 Met him once when he came to the UK in the 80's. Nice guy.

[@kennethmack2023]

I ride to single speed 29er mountain bike my gears is 33x15

[@CareFreeCommuting]

I’m doing 32-14 rn, and the chain appears to be perfect tension and I’ve got nice large teeth on the rear cog, but the chain is still dropping too much. Super frustrating...I’m on a thru axel bike so can’t use anything but the tensioner on the hanger, but drops still. I don’t want a dirt jumper but I’m dying to figure out how to run my MTB that would by trustworthy with a single speed setup, any tips?

[@lt_henry820]

I find chain tensioners are not strong enough to create an appropiate tension, specially in a worst case scenario with chain length. I have chain tensioner in push up mode, in order to increase chain wrap, and I fix it to the chainstay with a nylon tie. It is not elegant... but it does the job. I think (not tested) another solution is to use half-link chains, quite common at BMX.

[@sbek1386]

I have a 25-11 on my freeride ht lol feels ok

[@iamrmd6840]

long riding distance with geared bike is just a 1/4 riding with single speed , single speed is for strong dudes

[@lt_henry820]

Not really. In a geared bike you are always pushing. In a single one you cannot push on flat most of the time because you already reached top speed... I would say, it is slower, but distance is more or less the same.

[@teenoltae]

I'm running 34/20 but I'm thinking of going 36/22 - more chain wrap ..

[@datalaforge]

I run 36/22 and occasionally 36/18 for roads. It's a really solid setup : )

[@nickchristofalos5105]

Hi

[@TheBananamaster666]

Anyone going 30 20 ? 27.5+

[@FUJITRACK10]

I commute about 9 miles each way on a 51/16 and it isn’t that bad

[@juanfo7307]

36 22

[@FightFilms]

WTF are you wearing and why?

[@paulscott1091]

cant watch it thats fucked up next wk rideing i skirts

[@kmancrx]

Cycling kits I think... can't be sure though

[@davidt8546]

Its the blue power ranger

[@MrBig617]

Why do you care?

[@reecepotter2019]

People think lycra makes you go faster 😂😂

[@clay9333]

My question is, why ride with all your “aero” gear when you can only go about 7 miles per hour, or less if uphill, and most of the time you guys are just standing with your “anatomical” cranks right in front of the camera anyway? No “time trial”... No race... You’re not sponsored... It’s not a sponsored event or competition... Not a good look. I love cycling, but I’ll never understand that whole aspect of it. I just don’t get it. Thanks for the info though fellas. I’ll avoid the next video.

[@TheBananamaster666]

Lol

[@accrualworld4488]

Clueless