single speed bike packing gearing thoughts?

[roostridernz]

hi all, just thought i'd ask around for info and thoughts for single speed gearing, focusing on bike packing, i'm currently running 32:18 which is alright but thinking it'll be alittle high for the hills, what does everyone think? check out my blog for more pictures, and coming soon some custom frame bags and a single track trip to die for in my backyard right here in New Zealand.
www.roostridernz.blogspot.com

[bdstorer]

G'day mate,

I had a 1x1 that I did several remote area bikepacking tours on in the Northern Territory (near Uluru). I was using a full set of Epic Designs bags I had custom made for the 1x1, carried alot of water and was riding on soft sand so used a low 32x20 out there. I found low was good as you can always spin but can't always push a larger gear.

I'll try and dig out a shot for you.

Benny

[roostridernz]

cheers for feedback, yeah i think 32-20 would be about right, just got back from a three day bikepacking trip on the heaphy track just out of nelson, new zealand, and was hunting for a lower gear on all but the downhills, the hills would have been ok un-loaded but add that extra want and i wanted to spin, differently rather spin than grind or push, ordering a 20 tooth as we speak, I was testing some of my own frame bags whipped up a couple of days before we left, sadly they didn't perform like your epic design bags, my sewing skills aren't that good haha, check out my blog in a week or two to see photo's from the trip and how the gear performed, also any chance you know if the 1x1 had paint issues at some point as my brand new (2009 model i think) hasn't handled its first offroad ride well, the paint seems to be missing it's clear coat layers, as it rubs off and scratches far easier than my crosscheck, after that 3 day trip there were a few deep scratches down to the metal and alot of places where the paint was basically rubbing away. Haven't emailed surly yet as i brought brand new for a bike shop, but it was old stock so not sure of warranty etc, still love the ride though just not happy with the unusual low paint quality from surly, any feedback would be appreciated,
cheers Sam         

[offroute]

Resurrecting an old thread to ask this question again...

I'm new to single speed, liking it, and hoping to make the leap from day riding to dirt touring.

I started with 32:20 and got beat down pretty well, so I threw on a 26t I have to check it out. It's a dreamy gear for climbing, but would, doubtlessly, have implications on the flats.

Any nuggets of wisdom as to what makes sense for dirt roads with lots of climbs/descents yet still plenty of flat-ish terrain (read: Great Divide-like)? TIA!

[Flounder]

I did about 200 miles of the Colorado Trail, with its huge climbs, with a 32x22 and that was ideal.

[Adam Alphabet]

Dingle speed... 28x19 (~32x22) and 30x17 (~32x18). Toured in Arizona with these gears last November/December It was awesome. 30x17 for the roads 28x19 for most trails. Loaded this was perfect for me. Got spun out a bit a couple times on the roads but I was ok with it. People do the Divide on 32x18's so I wasn't complaining!

[offroute]

Thanks for sharing the info, guys.