Bike gears 🚲

[notsodimwit]

I have bought a bike to use for exercise...can someone explain how to use the gears in simple terms to me please?

This should be easy.........but a couple of questions:

Are your gear selectors on the handle bars? On both ends?

Is there one cable from the selector to the rear collection of gear discs, and the other cable going to the Larger discs between the pedals?

The rear collection of gear discs should be attached to the rear wheel.

Pan 😀 thank you for taking time to answer x both handle bars have gears x

And yes about cable's

Usually the selector on the right controls the gear sprockets on the rear wheel. The chain on the smallest sprocket gives the most resistance, requiring more effort to pedal. Moving the selector on the handlebar moves the chin between sprockets. The selector on the other handlebar controls the bigger "chain rings" which are at the front of the drive train, where your pedal cranks connect with the bike frame. Using these either doubles or triples the number of gears, depending on whether there are two front chain rings or three. If there are 7 sprockets on the back wheel and two front chain rings you have 14 gears. On the front chain rings selecting the smaller ring makes pedalling easier which is opposite to the rear sprockets. It is generally not a good ide to use the small rear sprocket with the bigger chain ring and vice versa as this can damage the drivetrain/chain.

Okay, you need to experiment with how hard/easy pedalling is in the different gear choices. Do your gear selectors have a display of some sort so you can tell which gear you are in without looking down?

And don't forget! Only change gear when you are pedalling! (usually). The chain needs to be moving in order to 'jump' up or down on the front rings or the back sprockets.

Just to add, it's the same as in a car, so when you're just setting off, going uphill, or going slowly: lower gear, and when you're going fast, big gear. The shifter on the left is probably numbered 1-3, and the one on the right is 1-7.

Click the left into 1st, then as you're riding, gradually shift up through your gears on the right, starting with 1. See how it gets gradually harder?

As above the two main errors are 'crossing' the gears (being low on one side and high on one side) as this wears them out quicker and cycling in too low a gear or too high a gear, as your feet will either go round really fast or you will be really struggling. I always spot when a cyclist is doing this and want to say 'change the gear!'

Lastly when going up a hill, it is not a competition, if you are in the lowest gear possible and go slow and steady because thats what you feel comfortable with that's fine!

It's not your question but it is a good idea to read up on cycling etiquette before taking to the roads. Good luck its the best form of exercise IMHO