Originally posted by Irulan
You have three rings in the front, 8 or 9 in the back.
Mountain bikes almost all have 3 chain rings in the front and 8 or 9 in the back. Road bikes have 2 or 3 in front and 7 to 10 in the back.

Originally posted by Irulan
When you are in the biggest chain ring in the front, and the biggest gears in the back, those are your "lowest" gears: you use those for going up hills or going slow. The very lowest is your "granny" gear. If you are new to biking I bet you will be using it a lot ;-)
I'm sure this was just a typo. But to be in your lowest gear, you will be on the SMALLEST chain ring in the front.

Lowest gear: Small in front, big in back (Easiest to pedal. Used for climbing).

Biggest gear: Big in front, small in back (Hardest to pedal. Used for to speed).

You don't really need to remember all this, once you get in your bike a while, you'll learn which way to shift (front & back) to make it easier or harder to pedal!

Just go out there and ride!