What does it mean when a bike says its ...say 18 speed, or 21 speed? Does it mean it goes that fast or something?
2007-05-07 11:00:58 · 6 answers · asked by How To Save A Life 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
The number of speeds represents the number of gear combinations. In the front you will have 3 chainrings, and in the rear you will have either 6 or 7 rings. 3 X 6 = 18 speed, 3 X 7 = 21 speed. The more gear combinations you have, the closer you can get to having the best ratio for any situation.
All 21 speeds are not the same. A 21 speed mountain bike would have a lower top speed than a 21 speed Road bike. In fact, it is possible to have a faster 18 speed than 21 speed.
In general, more speeds (gears) is better.
This article best explains it.
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/mountain-bike1.htm
2007-05-07 11:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would thin and 18 speed would be better for trails and a 21 for long distance road biking. I have a mongoose 21 speed i used to take to work during the spring and fall so that i could lose some weight.. Now im looking into a diamondback 21 speed cause my old bike is rusty and not worth the money to fix up..
2016-05-17 22:02:04 · answer #2 · answered by babette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it tells the number of gear combinations available. say you have 3 gears in the front and 6 in the back. 3x6=18speed. 7 gears in the back means 21 speed (3x7). there are also 24speed (8 rear) and 27speed (9 rear). almost all new bikes come with 3 front gears, so multiply 3 by the number of rear gears.
that has nothing to do with the actual speed capabilities of the bike. speed depends on the gearing. a fast mtb will have a 44t front chainring with an 11t rear cog. i have this gearing on my bike and i can pedal to about 33mph.
2007-05-08 03:45:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Number of gears. You have 3 cogs at the front and then either 6 or 7 cogs at the back (3 x 6 = 18, 3 x 7 = 21).
As for going faster, depends upon how efficient your peddling is. But, for going accross country, or climbing big hills, more gears the merrier.
Luck
2007-05-08 00:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the total number of speeds on a bicycle is actually a total of gear ratios available based on how many chainrings ( the front set of gears ) and how many cogs in the rear set, it has. It's simple multiplication, 8 speed rear and double chainring or 8 X 2= 16 speeds. 8 speed rear and triple chain ring= 8 X 3 = 24 speed, or 24 possible gear ratios, etc... some ratios make it easier to pedal, to go uphill for example, and some are harder to pedal, to go fast.
2007-05-07 20:06:03 · answer #5 · answered by big_needles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the number of front gears times the number of back gears.
2007-05-08 08:01:41 · answer #6 · answered by camelmuck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋