Changing Gears

whitestar1

I know by now I should now this (well this is my first multi speed bike!) but I ran into trouble today when I couldn't change into 1st on the crank. The mech wouldn't move the chain down. Took it to Decathlon and Paul did a good job on it adjusting it. So it works now, but he gave me talk on crossing my chain.

So heres the qestion. Am I always to ride with front(F) 2 to rear(R) 6 - 4, F1 - 3 to 1 and F3 - 7 to 9? That seems more complicated than driving a car! I was actually riding in F2 - 9 to 5, changing up to F3 - 7 to 9 when going down hill. Have I wreck my bike doing so?

By the way the staff of Decathlon M6J9 are the best!

nicklouse

have a read

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12647117

Initialised

Crossing the chain (under heavy load) increases chain and cassette wear. Is one of my bad habits too.

I When I'm being good and treating the drive train nicely I try to avoid going under 3 on the big ring and over 5 on the granny ring (on a seven speed). The middle ring should be fine what ever gear you use on the rear.

jeremyrundle

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

Posted by me Dec. 2010 re "gears" we all l e a r n as we go along

whitestar1

The thing is I avoid cross over as I am always using 2 on the FD and 9 to 5 on the RD. So how could I mess up a brand new bike? On occassions I will move to 3rd on FD and 9 on the RD. This leaves me a bit confused :?

bails87

You haven't messed anything up, sometimes the gears just need a tweak. Your chainline won't have affected your front mech.

But if you're on the middle ring at the front, use any gear at the back. If you're on the smallest ring at the front, use the lowest (biggest cogs) 4-5 gears at the back. And if you're on the big ring at the front, use the highest (smallest cogs) 4-5 at the back.

EKE_38BPM

Wot Bails said.

To simplify though:
In the small chainring, don't use the smallest two or three sprockets at the back.
In the middle chainring , use any sprocket at the back.
In the big chainring, don't use the biggest two or three sprockets at the back.

whitestar1

Got it mate