Explaining how to use gears.

fatandwheezing

Does anyone have a nice easy explanation for how to use gears (specifically a triple).

I've been trying to explain to my girlfriend how to use them, but it's just not working.

Jamey

I'm going to be in a similar position soon as the missus has a Pashley on order through her C2W scheme.

It's only got five-speed hub gears but I'm already dreading having to explain them to her.

And then there's the faff of removing the rear wheel when the first puncture arrives.

Coriander

I've always used this theory (and it's probably reflected in the quality and speed of my riding :oops: ):

When it's too hard, click in this direction.

When it's too easy, click in this direction.

When it feels good, don't touch anything.

will3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8injvP1l ... CD&index=0

always_tyred

fatandwheezing wrote:

Does anyone have a nice easy explanation for how to use gears (specifically a triple).

I've been trying to explain to my girlfriend how to use them, but it's just not working.

I think diagrams and some mathematics might help.

sarajoy

How I'd explain it:


If you're spinning way too fast or feel like it's 'much too easy', change to a higher number on the left trigger (chain ring change).
If you're really suffering, with slow, difficult pedalling, change to a lower number on the same.

If you're pretty good but feel like you could push a little bit harder and would like to go faster, change up a number on the right trigger (/cogs).
If you're fairly OK but feel like you would like your legs to go faster or would like to push a little less hard, change down a number on the same.


Most times you'll need to loop round the above, change the big chain ring then finely-tune on the cogs.

skye3737

This may help. :arrow: http://bicycletutor.com/gear-shifting/

fatandwheezing

Cheers all, will see what I can do. She does get frustrated by things easily when she's out of her comfort zone, and just coming into cycling, she's still lacking in confidence.

Once she's on the bike she's OK, but I have to tempt her out with the prospect a reward halfway, like a Sunday roast, or a huge bowl of ice cream.

ride_whenever

this is why when i built an ex a bike it was a nine speed, made things much easier for her.

Singlespeeds are also good.


Re: Jamey and the pashley, don't worry about it, she'll get the hang of the hub gears really easily because it's simple.

glamrox

fatandwheezing wrote:

Once she's on the bike she's OK, but I have to tempt her out with the prospect a reward halfway, like a Sunday roast, or a huge bowl of ice cream.

Or "Look love if you come for a ride you will be there to stop me staying at the pub all afternoon"

Kieran_Burns

Coriander wrote:

I've always used this theory (and it's probably reflected in the quality and speed of my riding :oops: ):

When it's too hard, click in this direction.

When it's too easy, click in this direction.

When it feels good, don't touch anything.

I think I need a cold shower after reading that explanation!!! :shock:

Stuey01

I'm still at the stage of shouting left hand thumb, right hand finger etc etc at my gf when we go riding together.

CiB

I gave up. My wife & elder boy struggle on in a hopelessly incorrect gear combination / chain path as it's all just "too complicated". Younger boy sussed it on a handful of rides to school and flicks up & down his 18 gears with ease.

How hard can it be?

The smaller front cog is easier than the large front cog.
The small rear cog is harder than the large rear cog.

You change the front cog with this lever.
You change the rear cog with this lever.

Is it me?

Bike gears are easier (just) than the options on a washing machine yet yet our simple-minded women-folk can soon get to grips with those things. What's so hard to understand about gears?

whyamihere

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Coriander wrote:

I've always used this theory (and it's probably reflected in the quality and speed of my riding :oops: ):

When it's too hard, click in this direction.

When it's too easy, click in this direction.

When it feels good, don't touch anything.

I think I need a cold shower after reading that explanation!!! :shock:

Come on, it wasn't that erotic...

ride_whenever

ChrisInBicester wrote:

I gave up. My wife & elder boy struggle on in a hopelessly incorrect gear combination / chain path as it's all just "too complicated". Younger boy sussed it on a handful of rides to school and flicks up & down his 18 gears with ease.

How hard can it be?

The smaller front cog is easier than the large front cog.
The small rear cog is harder than the large rear cog.

You change the front cog with this lever.
You change the rear cog with this lever.

Is it me?

Bike gears are easier (just) than the options on a washing machine yet yet our simple-minded women-folk can soon get to grips with those things. What's so hard to understand about gears?

inclination?

Kieran_Burns

whyamihere wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Coriander wrote:

I've always used this theory (and it's probably reflected in the quality and speed of my riding :oops: ):

When it's too hard, click in this direction.

When it's too easy, click in this direction.

When it feels good, don't touch anything.

I think I need a cold shower after reading that explanation!!! :shock:

Come on, it wasn't that erotic...

Oh.... YOU changed my post!

Hey come on - that post is suffed full of double entendres! 8)