Basic gearing issues on a 7-speed

[Cloudymoor]

Hello again,
I just purchased my hybrid a week ago and have definitely found each day to be more enjoyable than the last. I was pretty scared at first (see my "neurotic newbie post") Having said this, I'm already concerned that I don't have "enough gears". I told my LBS that I would stick strictly to our local trails, which are overwhelmingly flat with some slight inclines. He felt 7 gears would be plenty for me, (14-34) unless I wanted to venture onto the roadways as well, which I most definitely do not. However while riding, I'm interested in maintaining a good cadence, keeping my legs moving, even while going downhill---not too much resistance like Sheldon Brown advises. But oddly when I ride up a very slight incline, should I find myself pedaling best in 2nd gear? I would have thought 3rd or 4th. If I go into 1st I start spinning, since it's not nearly steep enough for that. But 3rd gear is too stiff. I always thought going up hills you downshift and vice versa. Is this more a function of me getting used to using my legs again (euphemism for getting into better shape.) Hope this is clear. Shifting is obviously new to me.

[pardes]

I'll leave downshifting answers to the pros....particularly since I plan to coast forever downhill all the way into heaven.

As for more gears....I'm all for more gears....the more the merrier....someday some angel is going to invent a solar powered doodad that will give granny lovers like me a 1st gear so low that it's a negative number.

Congratulations! I'm so glad to see you weathing the first few days with plans for the future goals.

[melissam]

....someday some angel is going to invent a solar powered doodad that will give granny lovers like me a 1st gear so low that it's a negative number.

This is just too funny!

Hello again,
I just purchased my hybrid a week ago and have definitely found each day to be more enjoyable than the last. I was pretty scared at first (see my "neurotic newbie post") Having said this, I'm already concerned that I don't have "enough gears". I told my LBS that I would stick strictly to our local trails, which are overwhelmingly flat with some slight inclines. He felt 7 gears would be plenty for me, (14-34) unless I wanted to venture onto the roadways as well, which I most definitely do not. However while riding, I'm interested in maintaining a good cadence, keeping my legs moving, even while going downhill---not too much resistance like Sheldon Brown advises. But oddly when I ride up a very slight incline, should I find myself pedaling best in 2nd gear? I would have thought 3rd or 4th. If I go into 1st I start spinning, since it's not nearly steep enough for that. But 3rd gear is too stiff. I always thought going up hills you downshift and vice versa. Is this more a function of me getting used to using my legs again (euphemism for getting into better shape.) Hope this is clear. Shifting is obviously new to me.

Cloudymoor,

The short answer is to choose whichever gear keeps your legs spinning at a good clip. For the hill you're encountering, it sounds like 2nd is the one for you. Keep riding, and before you know it, you'll probably be flying up that hill in 3rd. Or 4th.

I'm not sure that I understand your issue about downshifting for going up hills. It sounds like you are downshifting. By downshifting, it means that you choose a gear that's easier to pedal when you're on the same level of incline.

Good for you for pedaling on the downhills at a good cadence! Keep that momentum going for the next uphill!

When a lot of cyclists talk about gearing, they often refer to the numbers of teeth on the cassette and chainring. For example, one of my bikes has a low gear or 30/34 -- 30 teeth on the chainring and 34 teeth on the cassette. While it's not a negative number, I'm pretty sure Pardes would think she'd died and gone to heaven when using it.

Generally, the lower the number of teeth on the chainring, the easier it is to pedal. The higher the number of teeth on the cassette, the easier it is to pedal. Sheldon Brown (RIP) has a gear calculator on his site. If you count the number of teeth on your chainring and on each of your cassette "rings" you can calculate your gear inches. This will help to quantify the relative difficulty of each of your gears.

Hopefully I helped rather than confused you.

And keep up the good work on your rides!

-- Melissa

[Fredwina]

You didn't mention this, but does your 7-speed have more than one chainring (Gears on the front). I find myself thinking "I shouldn't be in this gear:" and look down to find out I'm in the big ting

[Cloudymoor]

Fredwina, I believe that I only have one gear in the front! Such is my ignorance. This is my bike---http://yorktowncycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=6688

Melissa, many thanks. I think I'll better understand this through experience. I learn best that way. My biggest surprise was the big gap between riding up that slight incline in 2nd and then shifting to 1st and seeing such a HUGE difference. I will read Sheldon's information. I read somewhere that he just passed away. A huge loss.

[Becky]

Fredwina, I believe that I only have one gear in the front! Such is my ignorance. This is my bike---http://yorktowncycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=6688

Melissa, many thanks. I think I'll better understand this through experience. I learn best that way. My biggest surprise was the big gap between riding up that slight incline in 2nd and then shifting to 1st and seeing such a HUGE difference. I will read Sheldon's information. I read somewhere that he just passed away. A huge loss.

Yep, single chainring.

I think that the huge difference you're feeling between first and second is because of the cassette (gears) that you have. A 14-34 cassette is going to have some huge jumps in gearing in order to span such a wide range. A 34-tooth sprocket makes for a very low gear.

IMO, pedal what feels comfortable, and don't sweat what particular gear you're in. Just enjoy that pretty new bike!

[Cloudymoor]

Thanks Becky---the bike is cobalt blue and it is pretty (although secrety I wanted a Bianchi!)

If I find that I'm really into this and outgrow the gearing in a few years time, is it easier to get a new bike, or change what I have??

[Geonz]

What she said

[Becky]

Thanks Becky---the bike is cobalt blue and it is pretty (although secrety I wanted a Bianchi!)

If I find that I'm really into this and outgrow the gearing in a few years time, is it easier to get a new bike, or change what I have??

That's sort of a tricky question to answer. 7-speed components are getting hard to find- I know, my commuter is 7-speed!- and 7-speed stuff is not readily upgraded to 8-, 9-, or 10-speed. You may be able to buy a 7-speed cassette with slightly different gearing, but it's certainly something that your shop would have to special order for you. To upgrade beyond that, you're looking at a significant chunk of money, and I'd be inclined to use it to increase your budget for a whole new bike.

Personally, I don't mind 7-speed, so I'll be keeping it on my commuter until it breaks. There's a lot of "what ifs" that go along with upgrading any bike so, for now, ride that pretty bike into the ground and see how hard the cycling bug bites you

IMHO, of course...

[Cloudymoor]

Becky---I'm glad to hear you're happy with the 7 speed commuter bike. I need to hear that right now. I guess I was worried that my lbs just sold me what was available rather than what was right for me. Thanks again.

[melissam]

Cloudymoor,

From what I understand about your riding terrain, it sounds like your 7-speed is a great bike for you right now. Enjoy!

- Melissa

[Sgritn]

I have a GIANT CYPRESS and I'm still confused about gearing. On the left I have 3 numbers, on the right I have 7 numbers- I'm usually at left 2 and 3 right. I am at the park {MARINE PARK in Brooklyn}a lot and faster riders pass me often! That's OK..I'll get up to speed eventually but as they pass me I can hear a 'whir, whir' gear sound..am I supposed to be hearing that sound too as I bike faster? Please tell me how I need to set my bike for a casual, park ride. I street ride less than a mile to get to the park. I feel at times that my gears are too loose if you know what I mean...like I'm pedaling but the spin feels too easy.
Thanks

[melissam]

Sgritn,

According to the specs, your Giant Cypress has a triple chainring up front, and a 7 speed cassette in the back. The numbers from 1 to 3 on your left correspond to one of the three chainrings up front, and the numbers from 1 to 7 on your right correspond to one of the 7 items on the cassette in the back.

Basically, all things being equal, the more number of teeth in the chainring, the harder it is to pedal; the more number of teeth in the cassette, the easier it is to pedal.

Pick a cassette/chainring combination that makes it easy for you to maintain your speed. Which combination you choose depends on a lot of things -- if you're riding into the wind, if you're riding on flat ground ... or uphill ... or downhill, if you're tired, how fast you can spin the pedals and still be efficient.

If the gears are too loose, try a "harder" combination. You don't need to spin the pedals like a cartoon character, but you don't want to have your gears set so that it takes extreme effort -- this is tough on the knees.

Oh, and the 'whir whir' sound? I'm not sure -- do you hear a similar sound when you back pedal your bike? It could just be the sound of their bearings.

Happy trails!

- Melissa