Are you tired of pushing your fixed gear bike uphill? Getting a model with a gearbox makes pedaling more comfortable and efficient, both when you have to travel along mountain roads and move in city traffic. Learn what are the criteria that underlie the functioning of the relationships of a bicycle to radically change the way you use this means of transport. Read on to learn more!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Relationships
This section teaches you how to understand if your bicycle is equipped with a multi-speed gearbox or not and, if it has them, how to know how many there are. Click here if you want to go to the exchange section immediately.
Step 1. Count the number of gears you see at the base of the pedals
If you want to learn how to shift gears on the bike, you first need a model that has multiple gears. Fortunately, it is not difficult to understand. Start by looking at the pedal lock. In the center there should be one or more toothed rings on which the chain slides. These are the front gears. Count how many there are.
Most models have one to three front gears
Step 2. Count the number of gears on the rear wheel
Now look at the rear wheel. You should notice that the chain runs from the front gears to a series of sprocket rings centered on the wheel hub. These are the rear gears. Count how many there are.
If your bike has gears, then there are usually more rear gears than the front ones. Some models have ten or more
Step 3. Multiply the number of front and rear gears together to find the number of gears
Some people refer to this as the number of "gears" or "gears".
- For example: if your model has three front and six rear sprockets then it has 3 x 6 = 18 reports (or "marches"). If the bike has one front and seven rear gears then it has 1 x 7 = 7 reports.
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If your bicycle has only one front and one rear sprocket, the number of gears mounted is 1 x 1 =
Step 1.. This kind of bicycles are called "fixed gear" or "fixed gear" (even if real fixed gear bicycles, in addition to not having gears, do not even have a freewheel mechanism). Unfortunately, if you own a fixed gear bike, you won't be able to shift gears.
Part 2 of 3: The Basics of Gear Shifting
Step 1. Use your left hand to change the front gear
Bicycles with a gearbox have a gear control on the handlebar. When using the left-hand control, you activate a loop mechanism, called a derailleur, which moves the chain sideways by taking it to another front gear. There are a few types of shifting mechanisms that are very popular on bicycles. We remember:
- Knob change: works by turning the wrist.
- Small lever gearbox: it is positioned above or below the handlebar and operated with the thumb.
- Large lever gearbox: it is composed of levers similar to those of the brakes and is mounted near the latter. It is controlled with the fingertips.
- Electronic gears and levers are rarely used on the bicycle frame.
Step 2. Use your right hand to change the rear gear
The rear gears have their own specific derailleur. By operating the control on your right hand, you move the derailleur sideways by bringing the chain to another sprocket. Most of the time the rear gears use the same mechanism as the front ones.
If you get confused with the gear controls while pedaling, remember: " right = behind".
Step 3. If you switch to smaller gears, pedaling will be easier, but less effective
You can change gears to reduce strain in certain situations. For example: when shifting to a "lower" ratio, the pedals will turn more smoothly, but each pedal stroke won't allow you to go far. There are two ways to lower a ratio:
- Carrying the chain on a smaller front gear.
- Carrying the chain on a larger rear gear.
Step 4. Upgrade to a higher gear to pedal harder, but more effectively
The opposite action to that described above is to change to a "higher" ratio. In doing so, the pedals offer more resistance, but the speed of the bicycle will be greater. There are two ways to raise the ratio:
- Carrying the chain on a larger front gear.
- Carrying the chain on a smaller rear gear.
Step 5. Practice raising and lowering gears while cycling in a flat area
The best way to learn how to change is to do it! Choose a flat, safe place (like a park) and start pedaling forward. Try to use one of the two manual controls to lower and raise the gears. You should hear the chain "click" or rattle, and at the same time you should feel more or less resistance on the pedals (depending on whether you have raised or lowered the gear). Try using both the front and rear shifters and turning the mechanism in both directions to get used to how the bike reacts.
Step 6. Remember to shift gears only when pedaling forward
If you are used to models with the A_contropedal coaster brake, it will take some time before you become familiar with this new way of using the bicycle. The chain can be "captured" by another toothed circle only when it is taut, which happens only when pedaling forward. If you change gears while pedaling backwards or you are not pedaling at all, the chain is not taut enough to switch to a different gear. When you start moving the pedals again, you may hear a clicking sound and the chain may fall out. This is a very nasty inconvenience if it occurs during a hike.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing When and How to Change
Step 1. Choose a low ratio to start
The first few rides are usually the most strenuous, because you have to overcome the force of inertia and reach a cruising speed. When you need to start pedaling, use a low gear to make it easier to switch to a higher speed.
- You should also use this technique when you stop and then start again (for example at traffic lights).
- If you know you will have to stop early, it is worth scaling the gear so that the restart is smooth. This is especially important when you know you have to go through difficult routes, for example if your driveway is uphill.
Step 2. Gradually increase the ratio to gain speed
As you move faster, you may find that pedaling becomes "too easy". If you want to increase the speed even more, then increase the gear. You will notice that you will have to apply more pressure to the pedals and that you will continue to accelerate.
If you are moving on a less demanding route (such as city streets with some small hills), usually an "intermediate" ratio is suitable for normal cruising speed. If you have an 18-speed model (three sprockets at the front and six at the rear), use the second gear at the front and the third at the rear as a good solution for a "steady pace"
Step 3. Lower the ratio when you have to go uphill
This is an important skill to learn; if you do not apply this technique, you will find yourself stuck in the middle of the climb and will be forced to go down and push the bike by hand. It is practically impossible to tackle a climb with a high gear. However, the low ratios allow you to go uphill slowly, steadily and without too much extra effort.
At first you may have some difficulty climbing the hills slowly with a low gear. Since the speed is reduced, you may have some problems maintaining balance as usual. However, moving slowly allows you to easily put one foot on the ground in case you feel unbalanced
Step 4. When you are downhill or on straights, turn up the gear
If you are looking for maximum speed then you need to use a high gear on this type of track. By gradually shifting upwards you can constantly accelerate up to maximum speed. Remember to be especially careful when you go fast, it is very easy to get hurt.
Having a high gear is the only way to accelerate downhill. A low gearbox can't spin the chain fast enough to transmit momentum to the wheels, so it won't allow you to accelerate beyond what gravity allows
Step 5. Move to higher intercourse carefully to avoid injuring your joints
"Pushing" the bike with a high ratio is certainly very satisfying, but it could be dangerous for the body in the long run. Pedaling with effort in too high a ratio stresses the joints (especially the knees), causing pain and joint problems over time. It is also not as healthy an exercise for the heart and lungs as pedaling in a lower ratio at a steady pace.
In other words, you can use the bike at high ratios, but only by getting there gradually by increasing the speed as you go
Step 6. Avoid using a combination of gears that "cross" the chain
If you check the chain when you shift gears, you may notice that it takes a diagonal direction in some places. This is not a problem, unless you choose ratios that lead the chain to very pronounced angles. This habit generates greater wear on the chain which, over time, could break, while in the short term it causes metallic noises at the gearbox and frequent "falls" of the chain itself. Basically you should avoid using the larger or smaller front and rear gears at the same time. In other words:
- Do not use the larger front gear combined with the larger rear.
- Do not use the smaller front gear combined with the smaller rear.
Advice
- When you have to tackle a climb, switch gears well in advance. You don't have to precipitate the gearbox down while you have already begun the climb.
- The difference between the size of the front and rear gear determines the effort required to move the bike and its speed. For example, if you use a front and rear sprocket that are the same size, each rotation of the pedals corresponds to one of the rear wheels. If, on the other hand, you have selected a large front and small rear sprocket, the rear wheel will make more turns with each pedal stroke. This way you can move at a faster speed, but you will need to apply more force to accelerate.
- When riding uphill, try to simplify things and lower the gear. Moving your legs faster and with less effort is tiring, but certainly less than having to push madly uphill. In addition, this allows you to take longer climbs.
- Many people find that the best pace for maintaining good speed for a long time is 75-90 rotations per minute. At this speed, the pedal makes one full rotation before you can say the words "a thousand and one".
- When riding against a strong wind, use a lower gear ratio than usual. This will give you a slightly slower speed but will be able to sustain a steady pace for a long time.
