Shimano gear tutorial?

"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:400f7097$0$1728$5a62ac22
@freenews.iinet.net.au:

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Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:400f7097$0$1728$5a62ac22 @freenews.iinet.net.au:

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Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more basic - left and right lever, in
what combination do you use them?

"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:400f7097$0$1728$5a62ac22 @freenews.iinet.net.au:

Quoted message said:

Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more

basic -

Quoted message said:

left and right lever, in what combination do you use them?

I recommend that you get out and ride up and down some hills. You'll learn quickly.

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Quoted message said:

Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more basic - left and right lever,
in what combination do you use them?

That link is to a sub-index of 14 different articles.

The one you want is the second from the top,

sheldonbrown.comgears.htmlOpen ↗

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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

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"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:400f7097$0$1728$5a62ac22 @freenews.iinet.net.au:

Quoted message said:

Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more basic - left and right lever,
in what combination do you use them?

Hi, start here: sheldonbrown.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

Life is Good! Jeff

Bear said:

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Quoted message said:

Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more basic - left and right lever,
in what combination do you use them?

Well, you probably have down tube shift levers, three chainrings up front, and five sprockets on the
rear freewheel.

The right lever controls the rear derailleur. Pulling it back gives you lower gears (bigger rear
sprockets, easier to pedal). Pushing it forward gives you higher gears.

The left lever controls the front derraileur. Usually, pulling it back gives you a higher gear
(large ring, harder to pedal). (Some front derailleurs work opposite).

There's no defined shifing pattern like on a car. You don't have to start in the lowest gear and
work your way up through each one. Generally, you will start in a middle range gear (middle front
ring and middle rear sprocket). Then shift up or down as determined by the terrain so that your
pedaling speed (cadence) stays about constant.

You want to avoid having the chain at an extreme angle. When on the big ring up front, avoid the big
sprockets in the back (and vice versa).

Start with the chain on the middle front chainring. Shift the rear as necessary. If you get to the
smallest rear sprocket, shift to the big ring up front. If you get to the biggest rear sprocket,
shift to the small chainring up front.

That's about it. After a couple of rides, it will become second nature.

Art Harris

Bear said:

Anyone know where I can read up on gears? I've inherited a bike with 15 spd gears - never had any
when I used to ride bikes as a kid, and I'd like to know how to use them.

Pick a combination that allows you to spin the pedals comfortably at at least 80rpm.

Don't use the largest chainring and the largest sprockets, or the smallest chainring and the
smallest sprockets. This forces the chain to run at an angle and usually makes a nasty grinding
noise. The gears you would get by these combinations can be had in other ways anyway. You've probaly
realised by now that "15 speed" is more like "11 speed" in practice, because some of the
combinations are unusable!

I doubt your gears are "indexed" so you will probably have to move the lever far enough to get the
chain to change sprockets, then ease it back slightly so it runs smoothly. This takes practice.

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:23:33 +0000, Zog The Undeniable <[email hidden]>

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Pick a combination that allows you to spin the pedals comfortably at at least 80rpm.

"Comfortably" being significantly more important than "80rpm". You might be more comfortable at 100,
120, 60, or even 40 rpm; mostly, though, I bet you haven't got anything to measure how fast you are
pedalling -- which is fine. Just be comfortable.

Once you find what seems comfortable, sometimes try a little bit different gearing; you may find
that what's most comfortable for a minute is not the most comfortable choice for a half hour.

Finally, don't be afraid to shift. As conditions change, or as you feel differently, shift. Going up
a hill? Shift. Got over the hill, going down? Shift. The wind changed direction and you're headed
into it now? Shift. You're about to stop? Shift into the gear you like to start from.

I know somebody with 21 gears who struggles up hills, coasts down, and wouldn't notice if you
removed the derailers. Well, at least her bike doesn't require any shifter or derailer adjustments!
--
Rick Onanian

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"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

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Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

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sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Bear said:

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more basic - left and right lever,
in what combination do you use them?

Our derailleur systems shunt the chain's flow from one combination to another. For that reason, the
chain needs to be moving for the system to shift smoothly. Translation: pedal while you shift.

The front shift is a very large change. Put the chain on the outside for going fast and on the
inside for climbing hills or facing the wind. If your bike has three in front, you'll probably use
the middle most often.

For each of the front selections there are several small increments on the back to make a
finer choice.

On both front and rear, it is easier to pedal with the chain to the inside. It's harder to pedal
(=faster) with the chain to the outside.

So even though we would generally choose the inside front for climbing a hill, we make small changes
to the rear as the grade changes . On level ground, you may well be riding on the outside front but
change the rear to a slightly easier or harder gear when you make a turn into or with the wind.

Does that help?

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

"Kyle.B.H" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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"Bear" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:400f7097$0$1728$5a62ac22 @freenews.iinet.net.au:
> Anyone know where I can read up on gears?

sheldonbrown.comgearingOpen ↗

Thanks, I had found that one, I was looking for something even more

basic -

Quoted message said:

left and right lever, in what combination do you use them?

I recommend that you get out and ride up and down some hills. You'll

learn

Quoted message said:

quickly.

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice.....