Just bought a mountain bike from my neighbor. It’ll be my first time riding in 12+ years. Can someone explain the gears, for context I’ll be biking in the Texas hill country. Thank you & happy trails!!!
by Beneficial_Man27
Just bought a mountain bike from my neighbor. It’ll be my first time riding in 12+ years. Can someone explain the gears, for context I’ll be biking in the Texas hill country. Thank you & happy trails!!!
by Beneficial_Man27
3 Comments
Most important part: If left side is on 1, use the lower numbers on the right. Left 2 -> Middle numbers on the right. Left 3 -> You know where I’m going
Right side operates the cogs on the wheel 1-7, left side operates the ones where the pedals are and you have to position it until it shifts up and doesn’t rub
The right shiftgrip controls the rear derailleur (the bit on the rear wheel that moves the chain from one sprocket to the other).
7 is the tallest gear, 1 is the shortest. 1 makes it easier to climb hills, 7 lets you go faster (if you have the legs to fully use it)
The left shiftgrip controls the front derailleur, (the bit that changes which sprocket by the pedals the chain runs on). This is more like a hi/lo range selector on a 4×4. It multiplies the mechanical advantage you get out of the rear derailleur.
1 is low range and if you were to put the bike in 1-1 you will be in the very lowest gear. The easiest for climbing hills but you’re never going to be going faster than walking pace. 3-7 is the absolutely tallest gear. Terrible for hills, great for going fast.
Now for the fun bit. Cross-chaining. The chain likes to run in a straight line. 1-1, 2-4 and 3-7 would all be straight lines. If you were to put the bike in 1-7 or 3-1 you’ll be forcing the chain to turn down it’s length. The bike doesn’t like that and it will let you know with an awful grinding noise. There’s no strict rules but generally try and keep the rear derailleur within the corresponding half side of the front derailleur. Play around with it and it will become clear