glasgowfgss

I too am in the process of building a fixed gear for polo.

My gearing will probably be 32:24 -32.6 inches on 26inch wheels (used 'cos they're free).

This ratio was not chosen as the result of intense research, but because i am planning to run two different gears without changing chain.
This means that chain length for this spinny gear must very nearly match that of my "getting to polo and generaly riding around" gear which will be either 44:16 (67.3") or 44:14 (76.9"). (These too are driven by necessity as they are the fastest two gears available from a standard mtb-- where i got my back wheel and crankset)

I will have a double chainring and two cogs mounted on a freehub which i plan to weld solid- both so that it cannot ratchet, and so that it cannot (ever) come off the wheel when back pedaling. The cogs will be held on the splines so the standard threaded lockring should not come off.

This is all very well in theory but in reality i expect to be killed to death when the welds fail and my 3/32" chain jumps off etc. (I will have (at least) a front brake)

Thanks otherjames,
Wow thats much lower than I expected. Thought it would be around 50". Good luck with welding, I plan to use one of the cogs that bolt on the disk mount
on a disk hub.

Cheers

Martin

You are probably right that i am a bit low.

However, to improve balance i will have my saddle pretty low and i want a low gear to avoid hurting my knees while crunched up.

Anyone who actualy has a polo bike got any thoughts?

Playing hardcourt polo I was riding 41:20. A few of us have been playing with some grass polo players recently, on astroturf, their bikes are really low geared like 1:1 on 26" wheels. I think the reason for these really low gears is for moving about on grass.

I've recently changed to 32:21, not had a chance to try it out, but like otherjames says you need to consider how you get to and from games on a ridiculously low gear.

Anywhere between 30 and 50, I run 35/19 and I think I am the spiniest atm, grass polo is a lot lower, I'd go for a back brake over a front one even if you are riding fixed and consider playing freewheel (5 of 6 in the finals of the worlds were freewheel).

Double chainring might be a problem too, you don't wanna fall on a buzz saw!

You're right about the buzz saw- i hadn't considered that.

Why the back brake?

I think the reason for the back brake is it's less likely to be damaged, the front is more exposed. I like having a front brake for endos.

Aah. I like having a front brake for efficient decelleration.

Thanks for your comments on this. The welding of the freehub body are interesting, might try that route but the only chap I know with welding kit is an animal! He'd probably bugger the threads or the bearing cups.

Cheers

Martin

You're probably right- i'm not using a valuable wheel.