1/8' vs. 3/32' Chains, Gear Ratios & Skid Patches | Too Afraid to Ask

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In this episode of Too Afraid to Ask, we explain the difference between 1/8" vs. 3/32" chains and drivetrain components, what gear ratios are and how they work, and how to figure out how many skid patches you have. The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask, so if there's something about fixed gears that you've been wanting to know, ask away in the comments!

Fixie Famous Shoutout:
Michael Warman
StanStrong108
Marek Dravecky

Patreon Singlespeed Shoutout:
juaninamilli
gregory tomlinson
Michael Rector
nicodache
@ffnivas

Connect with me:

#skidpatches #fixedgeardrivetrain #fixedgearchains

[sethcrain]

I love how many of the comments are specifically here about your haircut. It really is so sharp though.

[shelleyshell]

Wow 😮! Absolutely loving your new hair cut!

[AA-vjsi]

bro that haircut looks so good on you 🔥

[boliaogamer]

Bring back fixie points but instead of saying negative stuff say positive things anyways nice hair cut

[lucacycles]

That haircuts get at least 67 fixie points

[enriqueDFTL]

Came for the bikes, stayed for the hair.

[nelsonv]

This video exactly the answers to 3 questions I had this weekend. Many thanks for the answers!

[Olympus]

Hey man, you should do a video on how to put multiple cogs on the back hub, what's the hardware required and everything related. The setup at 8:30. Would be awesome!

[georoll]

I love your channel man. I'm looking to buy my first fixed gear and your channel is my go-to for answering questions. P.S. I think calling it "three thirty-seconds" works as well.

[maurijnhuijbregts]

Dude just gotta say it, love the quality of this video i really think your trip to asia gives you more happyness cause you don’t look that sad anymore and i do really think you should keep up and be proud!

[kimrice]

I wasn’t confused at all... now I am😜. Run 1/8 chains on everything! Especially if your fixed. Run whatever in rings and cogs. Ratios- Forget them! Chain rings- Bigger tooth count is faster and harder to turn. Smaller tooth count is slower and easier to turn. Cogs- Bigger is easier to turn and slower. Smaller is harder to turn and faster. Done. Oh wait... crank arm length. 165mm will make it harder to climb but will let you lean further into a corner while peddling. 175mm will make it easier to climb but will increase peddle strikes. There are lots of crank arm sizes- 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, and 175. There’s more but I’ll stop there. Generally fixed bikes have a relatively short arm for cornering but if your just single speed you would pick one that is equivalent to your height. Then you can fudge it up or down 2.5-5mm for style(a spinner or a masher) or terrain. I’m Single speed, bike came with 167.5’s, I run 170mm normally and 172.5’s if headed into hills.

[mileswood]

10/10 points on this video, wish videos like this were easy to find when I first started riding! Lack of content helped me find Sheldon browns site which has been an absolute game changer!

[TheYzfmf]

I thought I understood gear ratios but wow I didn't know any of the stuff about skid patches!! great video!

[tylervang]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO I bought a 1/2 3/32 chain and it wouldn’t fit properly for my Fixie bike

[Aztezq]

Nice quality in this video. Looking sharp dude! Keep it up!

[jannik]

Hey Zach!
I‘m currently building my first fixed gear bike and it’s just amazing that I’ve found every single answer to a lot of questions that I had and have on mind on your channel!
Thanks a lot for your passionate work! Really inspiring too.

[OvAeons]

You answered all my worries with this one video which google was incapable of doing. Thank you.
Restoring a 70s road bike to be a single gear and i did not even know there were different chain widths, since i did not need to know with mountain biking lol. LBS grabbed an 18t freewheel for me and when i was mating it with my wheel i realized the chain whip did not fit. I freaked out thinking i MIGHT need a new crank or have to source 3/32 freewheel...

[bdub]

Sweet idea for a series. Even better title.

[raymondd.]

Another smooth, generic explanation of an important facet of the fixed gear obsession !!! You Are Very Good !!! Enjoy Life...Be Well !!! You are an encyclopedia !!!

[thephatcyclist]

A haircut!!! I learned gears ratios from my good friend at Heavy Pedal, he pointed me in the right gear ratio to really enjoy cycling without killing my legs. Thanks for the info.