gears...what does this mean?

[Tuckervill]

I got all that part, but what confuses me is the word SPEED.

I rode 10-speeds in high school. I don't think it's the same thing anymore, right?

Karen

[xeney]

Well, it sort of is, except in the 70s they were talking about the total number of gear combinations, and now it refers just to the rear cassette.

Your 10-speed then had a total of ten total gear combinations available -- probably a double up front and a five-speed in the back. Now the 9 versus 10 speed designation refers only to the rear cassette: so if you have a triple chain ring up front and a 10-speed cassette in the rear, that means you have a total of 30 gear combinations available. If you have a double chain ring in the front and a 9-speed cassette in the rear, you have 18 gear combinations.

But 18-speed and 30-speed sound sort of ridiculous so the terminology has changed. I do see Craigslist ads advertising "27-speed women's bike," though.

[Kalidurga]

...so if you have a triple chain ring up front and a 10-speed cassette in the rear, that means you have a total of 30 gear combinations available. If you have a double chain ring in the front and a 9-speed cassette in the rear, you have 18 gear combinations.

Except that, to complicate things even further, you really don't have 30 gear combinations available, unless you intend to cross-chain and wear your components out prematurely. With a triple up front and 10 in the rear, you really only have (you more knowledgeable folks correct me if I'm wrong here) 15-20 gear combinations you can (should) actually use. Doesn't that make this even more fun?

I'm the Queen of Cross-Chaining. Thank goodness I have a compact crank and only 8-speeds

[tulip]

Kinda makes me want to get a fixie.

[Tuckervill]

Well, it sort of is, except in the 70s they were talking about the total number of gear combinations, and now it refers just to the rear cassette.

That's the most forthright and direct explanation I've ever read. THANKS.

I know about cross chaining so I get why you don't have ex. 30 total gear combos.

whew, I can sleep tonight!

Karen