newbie question: Which gear?

ymm said:

So, I got my bike. 24 speeds, they don't expect me to use all 24 speeds do they? So, what are the usuall/most used gear for the bike? Can anyone give me some ideas?

Thanks.

No smart-ass intended here, but you just choose what you need. Some say pick a gear that is as hard as you can handle, some say to pick one as easy as possible. Some days I'll never get off my small ring some trails are middle ring some are big ring. It's going to depend on so many things your question can't be *truly* answered with one idea.

If you are training for some race you want to work yourself hard. If you are out just enjoying the day you may want to ride slower and chill-out and so on and so on and...

You will get a feel for what's needed. An "combination" I would suggest you stay away from are to be on your big ring and largest cog. It is a combo that "can" (due to the chain being stressed sideways, etc) lead to chain being broke and excessive wear on your components, etc. Have fun riding.

K.

Gears are meant to be used so you can maintain a nice, even pedal cadence. Feel like your legs are spinning too fast? Shift up. Feel like your legs are struggling to turn the pedals over? Shift down.

Get out of the mindset that you should be in one gear all the time. If you have multiple gears on your bike, you should be using multiple gears when you ride. So many variables that will change what is the best gear for the situation. Hard pack, gravel, pavement or mud? Steepness, approach speed and length of the accent? Steepness or length of the decent? Wind resistance? Visability? Current speed? Standing on pedals or sitting on the saddle? Technical obsticles like roots, rocks or branches?

The only thing you should be avoiding is your cross gears. Big cog and big chain ring is a BIG no no. Small cog and small chain ring is a smaller no no, but still a no no.

Cheers,
Chris