Basic gear questions
thelawnet
Posts: 719
My bike has 21 gears, 3 by the chain, and 7 on the back wheel. I think my last bike was a BMX in about 1990.
Am I correct that my usable gears are something like (according to the number on the shifters):
1 (front) - 1 -3 back - for hard uphill
2 (front) 1-7 back - for anything
3 (front) 5-7 back? - for flat
Also regarding changing, the front gears won't change if I'm going slowly (I tried changing from 1 to 2 or 3 while coasting and the chain is pushed at an angle but it doesn't actually jump across (I guess the difference in size requires some momentum to do the shift)). Is this normal? Is it in fact best to change while pedalling at a fairly high rate?
Does this all sound reasonable? How much TLC do I need to give my gears?
Am I correct that my usable gears are something like (according to the number on the shifters):
1 (front) - 1 -3 back - for hard uphill
2 (front) 1-7 back - for anything
3 (front) 5-7 back? - for flat
Also regarding changing, the front gears won't change if I'm going slowly (I tried changing from 1 to 2 or 3 while coasting and the chain is pushed at an angle but it doesn't actually jump across (I guess the difference in size requires some momentum to do the shift)). Is this normal? Is it in fact best to change while pedalling at a fairly high rate?
Does this all sound reasonable? How much TLC do I need to give my gears?
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Comments
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You're about right with which gears to use (keeping the chain straight reduces wear on components)
To get smooth gear changes, ease up on pedalling & change gear just before you need to be in that gear.
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And I take it there's nothing wrong with my gears?0
