Dropping chains, etc.

[madisongrrl]

You really won't have to worry too much about "fixing" a chain. All you really need to know is how to clean your chain/drivetrain....which is really easy. If you search this message board, I know you find a few threads that explain this.

Eventually your chain is going to wear out and will need to be changed. If you don't want to deal with it, make your bike shop take care of it. When you bring it in for a tune up just ask them if they think the chain is still good (there is actually a tool that measures the wear on a chain) and if it isn't, ask them to put a new one on. Else, you can buy a chain tool and do it yourself. It is very simple. When you buy a new chain, it will come with instructions. Read them and it will tell you exactly what to do. The most important part of chainging a chain is to count how many links are on the old chain and take out just as many links on the new chain (chains will come with more links than you need).

If you drop your chain, it is generally because you didn't shift properly. And sometimes it can be because you drivetrain needs a tune up. When shifting, make sure you are pedaling nice and easy and you won't have a problem (unless you are constantly cross-chaining, then you might have a problem). If you drop your chain, just push on the rear derailleur (to get some slack) and put the chain back on the front chainrings and softly spin the pedals (make sure there are not kinks in the chain). Have your bike shop show you how to do this.

As far as a double or a triple, it depends on what type (and price) of bike you get and what your needs are. Is this going to be a comfort bike? You most likely will just have to test ride the bike and see if the gearing suits you.

Good luck.

[pooks]

I'll check out the Sheldon Brown site again. It overwhelmed me when I first went there, partially because I knew NOTHING and all the new words/things flung at me made me dizzy. Partially because so much of it wasn't really applicable to me, with my chainless bike and handlebar-shifters!

Yeah, I see all the references to cleaning chains, crossing chains, etc. and get the shakes. Also, since I'll be totally new to gears, that might mean I'll be dropping the chain until I figure out what I'm doing.

I guess I just need to gird my loins and get on with it, though.

Thanks.

[mimitabby]

well, one thing that really helps is this: at first, just stay in the middle chain ring. since you live in flat country, it should be sufficient for your needs for now.
Get used to going up and down the gears in the middle chain ring.
You will probably do just fine.

On my bianchi, i rarely get into the 3rd ring (high speed) so i sit on the second ring much of the time and drop down to the little one for tougher hills.
get used to one, then 2 then three.

baby steps!