Bike tune-up questions...

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D-Roc
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Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:56 pm

I'm bored so I think I'm going to play around with my bike. But first, I have some questions. BTW, this is a BMX bike.

1) What is the best gear ratio for speed?
2) What is the best wheels for smoothness and speed?
3) Should I replace the the ball bearings with smoother ones?
4) How does the freewheel work? (is there anything I shouldn't touch?)
5) Is there something I should avoid so I can keep the back brake?
6) Any tips on changing the gears?

I'm aiming for a very smooth, slick, fast, single speed bike.

Is it possible to have a single speed bike that's faster than...a Lance Armstrong bike?
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Atlantis
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Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:26 pm

Speed and Power are inverse of each other. Lower gears make it easier to pedal but you get slower speed. Basically, the faster you want to go the harder it will be to pedal, you have to pick between the two. If your gear is too high it will be very hard to pedal.
"There isn't a problem in the world that can't be solved by the proper application of explosives"
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carlbelcher
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Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:35 pm

Is it possible to have a single speed bike that's faster than...a Lance Armstrong bike?
NO, the reason multi-speed road bikes are so fast is because you can start in a low gear and work your way up to speed. Plus they have very narrow tires (less friction) and about a hundred other reasons.
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