What's the rule of thumb when you're shifting gears on a 21-speed bicycle?

Question

Is it that you're not supposed to have both the numbers at the highest they will go, or both at the lowest? Like, are you supposed to have the right numbers towards the higher end if the left is on 1 or 2? OR is it the other way around?!

I just got a new Jamis and I want to take good care of it!

Answer 1

Sheldon Brown is one of the bicycle gurus.

Here's his article on all you ever wanted to know...shifting

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears.html

Answer 2

The easiest way to make your components last the longest is to keep them silent. You will hear the chain rubbing against the front derailleur when you are "cross chaining" by using the outer front gear with an inner back gear, or vice versa. When you hear this, shift to a different front gear and compensate by selecting another gear in the back. On a 21 speed, a change in the front gear (chain ring) is about the same as changing 2 gears (cogs) in the back.
Also, get a new chain every 2 years. A stretched chain will eventually ruin your chain rings and cogs.

Answer 3

This is very simple. I am more visual in explaining things. Go to your bike and put the chain in the largest cog in the rear and the largest ring in the front. Now look down on the chain. Do you see how the chain is bending at a pretty large angle to go "across" the bike. That's bad. It puts a lot of stress on the chain and wears components faster. It will also likely make a grinding noise when pedaling. The same thing applies to the riding in the small front and rear.

Answer 4

If your drivetrain is set up correctly, any combination of gears (front chainrings and rear cogs) will work.

Having the chain at an acute angle (like big front ring to big rear cog, or smallest front ring to smallest rear cog) will increase chain wear somewhat as the outside of the links tend to rub against the front derailleur.

From your perspective (and the way I think your gears are numbered on your shifters) ... larger numbers on the right hand shifter move the chain away from the bike on the rear cassette. This means going to smaller cogs ... and harder to pedal. Larger numbers on the left hand shifter means moving the chain away from the bike on the front chainrings ... which means going to the larger rings, and thereby making it easier to peddle.

Answer 5

U can use all the gears, and any combination depending on what terrain u r riding on. If u r going uphill if it's steep 1 on the left hand side and maybe 1 or 2 on the right hand side. If ur going downhill 3 on the left hand side and 7 on the right hand side. On flat ground u have to find whatever gear ur comfortable riding with. When do u want to go riding with me? lol Enjoy ur new bike.

God bless u,

Daniel
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Answer 6

holiday the kit you may desire to be in to maintain a competent cadence (for many riders that's between 80-a hundred bpm). except you race the only time you may desire to be attentive to which kit is on climbs. There that's beneficial to be attentive to in case you have a decrease kit to pass to. in case you may not shift down without pass-chaining you will could desire to the two: dig deep and climb or ... get off and walk or... use the "magic kit" and that's pass up 2 gears harder and climb status, this provides your muscle groups an important ruin. while your "dance interior the pedals" muscle groups tire, shift down and sit down and voila!! 2 decrease gears. Repeat as necessary. so as that being stated in case you sense you basically could desire to be attentive to the gearing positioned money right into a competent laptop, in biking words that's a reveal that sits on your bars which will prepare gearing, cadence, speed, distance...stuff like that which includes Cateye, Flightdeck, and so on. yet don't get wrapped up in it. save your eyes on the line and your atmosphere of direction, overlook with reference to the information and basically get out and holiday your bike.

Answer 7

You can use all of the gears except for the two largest and the two smallest. Those two tend to put a lot of flex on the chain from side to side and generally you can get a similar ratio with other gears.

Answer 8

Shift early and shift often. If you have a 9-speed or 10-speed then you can have any angle like you. The chains are flexible enough to accommodate this.