I have an 18 speed mountain bike and I feel that something is off on my shifting/gears and have a few questions just so I can maximize my bike and my performance.
The left gears/front gear is usually set to 2 or the middle. When I shift into 3 or the big outside gear its more resistance but once I've got a stride going I get some good speed going. Someone though told me you shouldn't use the large gear is this accurate or is it more prefrence?
The right gear varies but my problem is that my gear handle says 3 but I'm in the very bottom/small/outside sprocket. I'm usually in 2 on my left gear at this time. When I shift down to 2 then 1 it moves inside. However I think this is flawed as there are still 3 more sprocket that can't be used. I haven't noticed if it does this when my left gear is in 3.
If this is how it's supposed to be then great. If not can I fix it? And I hope someone can make sense out of my poor description. I'm not even sure of the proper terminology.
try shifting gears one by one, forget the number guide, if it is setup correctly you should be able to use every possible gear combination, however there is a simply rule that you should not ride with a crossed chain: smallest cog (back) with smallest chainring (front) & biggest cog (back) with biggest chainring (front). It is true that on a MTB you don't get to use the big chainring as much as you do in road cycling but there is no rule to go against it as long as you can use it with a decent cadence (legs turning per minute),
I've tried shifting gears one by one and I can't use all the gears in the back. It seems I can only use 3 of them. It seems to be stuck in the bottom or outer 3 sprockets. I've tried to manually but the chain in the inner most gear when my shifter is in the 1 position but it automatically goes back.
Your rear cable needs to be tightened. Index your shifter all the way to 6. Adjust your barrel adjuster all the way in. Loosen the srew attaching your cable to your rear deraileur and pull the cable through the clamp until it becomes as tight as you can get it by hand. Tighten your clamp screw. Now try shifting your shifter to 5. Turn your pedals your chain should move up one cog if not begin adjusting your barrel adjuster out a half turn at a time until the chain shifts, Once your chain shifts you should be good to go. Visit you tube and look up rear derailuer adjustments plenty of video's available to guide you through the process. Good Luck
Just a guess based on what you originally posted ... sounds like your cable to the rear derailleur (right hand shifter) does not have enough tension to push the chain up the rear sprockets to the largest 3. Most likely your cable has slipped where it fastens to the rear derailleur. If that is the case, when you get the correct length and tension set on the cable you will solve your problem.
A bike shop will probably charge you about $5-$10 to do this for you if you can't do it yourself.
