[Yak] Fixed gear question: double front chainrings & fixed/fixed hub?

[Lee Lloyd]

It is not my intention to get into a whole fixed vs. freewheel debate, but
aren't you quite literally talking about reinventing the wheel? I am not a
fixie myself, but I can kind of understand the appeal. However, isn't that
appeal immediately lost when you start talking about multiple gearing
options? Wouldn't a front derailleur and a chain tensioner accomplish the
same thing without having to take the bike apart when you wanted to shift
gears?

On Fri, Apr 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM, Steve Lange <steve at stevelange.net> wrote:

> Hi All-
>
> I sent this question separately to Walter at BF, but wondering if any
> Yaksters
> out there have experience running two front chainrings along with a
> fixed/fixed rear hub?
>
> Theory being that you could have a "regular" chainring/cog combo for
> typical
> cruising, then a "low and slow" combo for hillclimbing. You'd flip the
> wheel
> and move the chain from the big ring to the smaller ring (by hand) to
> effect
> the change.
>
> By making sure the rings and cogs had the same tooth difference, you
> wouldn't
> have to worry about chain length differences, because there wouldn't be
> any.
>
> Not for everyone, I know - but it's a way to get more versatility out of a
> fixed setup. Nice if you want to potentially tow a travel trailer, for
> examle... don't laugh, I've done fixed gear trailer towing before. Oh wait,
> now you're laughing... ;-)
>
> I'm thinking a 60T/52T chainrings with 13T/21T cogs. In 60x13, you'd have
> roughly 74" gear inches, and in 52x21, roughly 40". This would be on a 16"
> wheeled Tikit (my subject of interest).
>
> Might be overkill on the low gear, possibly something in the 50"-55" range
> would be better, but hey... let's bracket the reasonable outer limits
> first.
>
> Anyone tried this? I'm sure I'm not the first to consider the idea.
>
> Steve
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-- 
The goal is to overcome the deliberate nature of the process.