embarassingly stupid question

**staceysue** · 09-02-2009, 06:43 AM

I've been holding off on asking this question because it's going to make me look SOOOO dumb.

I don't know how many speeds the bike I'm getting has. There aren't any numbers on the shifters, so I couldn't tell when I was test driving it, and I've only ridden my 3-speed in the past. I really don't know how speeds/gears/shifters work and I thought my new bike was just a 9 speed. My husband was looking at the description and says he thinks it's got 27.

Can you tell by looking at the description? http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...%27s&Type=bike

I remember somebody telling me once that you can mess up while you're shifting if you cross your chain, or something like that - no clue what they meant.

I don't see a blushing smiley. Sorry for being so dumb!

**java** · 09-02-2009, 06:57 AM

All questions are good.

There are 9 cogs in the rear, and a triple crank up front, so you have 27 combinations, although using the smallest cog in the rear while on the largest crank in the front and vice versa (cross chaining), is not practical and can actually result in some unnecessary wear and tear to your cogs and chain.

Generally, the idea is to keep the angle of the chain in as straight a line is practical between the front cranks and rear cogs. As you become more familiar with your bike, you'll see that there may be some gear combinations you will seldom use, but if you find you need them, they'll come in handy!

Hope that helps

**staceysue** · 09-02-2009, 07:29 AM

Awesome! Thanks, Java. That's a relief.

I think I need to find a beginner diagram of a bike - find out what cranks and cogs are and how they work.

**tulip** · 09-02-2009, 07:47 AM

You could check out the books on bicycles in your local library or bookstore. There are several out there with good, basic information.

**jusdooit** · 09-02-2009, 07:57 AM

Go to http://www.coachlevi.com/cycling/com...-bicycle-gears. Good lesson on shifting. Also, www.terrybicycles.com/videos is a good resource. Hope these help. Don't be afraid to experiment. It will become second nature, I promise. BTW nice bike!

Cindy

**Possegal** · 09-02-2009, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by java

although using the smallest cog in the rear while on the largest crank in the front and vice versa (cross chaining)

I thought cross-chaining was smallest in front and smallest in back, or largest in front and largest in back. That is what throws the chain out of a straight line, not small/large or large/small. Or have I been wrong all this time? Which is always a very real possibility.

**SadieKate** · 09-02-2009, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Possegal

I thought cross-chaining was smallest in front and smallest in back, or largest in front and largest in back. That is what throws the chain out of a straight line, not small/large or large/small. Or have I been wrong all this time? Which is always a very real possibility.

Nope, you is right.

**Possegal** · 09-02-2009, 08:00 AM

Well there is a first time for everything I suppose.

**SadieKate** · 09-02-2009, 08:05 AM

Should you record this moment in history?

**maillotpois** · 09-02-2009, 08:07 AM

I think you guys just did.

**Possegal** · 09-02-2009, 08:18 AM

Print screen, frame, post on wall........... done.

**java** · 09-02-2009, 12:58 PM

I thought cross-chaining was smallest in front and smallest in back, or largest in front and largest in back. That is what throws the chain out of a straight line, not small/large or large/small. Or have I been wrong all this time? Which is always a very real possibility.

Now, that's really embarrassing

You're right, of course!

**Yelsel** · 09-02-2009, 03:34 PM

Really easy cheat sheet --

Stay on the middle ring (where the pedals turn) most of the time. You can shift through all 9 cogs at the back.

If you are going uphill: drop down to the smallest ring. Use the largest 3-4 cogs.

If you are going downhill, or really fast: go up to the biggest chain ring. Use the smallest 3-4 cogs.

You don't really get 27 unique speeds: there is a large overlap in gears between the different chainring / cog combinations. You only get the unique gears at the "fast" end (large chainring, smallest few cogs) and the "slow" end (small chainring, largest few cogs). There is no reason to cross-chain, because you have those gears on your middle chainring, and should not be shifting all the way through the large or small chainring.

**GreatPaws** · 09-02-2009, 04:29 PM

Don't worry, OP, I can top any dumb question.

You experienced guys talk about rings. I only see "numbers on the handlebar".

How am I supposed to figure out which "ring" I'm in while shifting and not run into a tree or something while I"m twisted around trying to see what I'm shifting into?

I see "1,2,3" on the left and "1,2,3,4,5,6,7" on the right.

So if I"m staying the the left- 2 gear, that's the middle ring? And some of those overlap with left 1 and 3- is that what you're saying Yelsel?

**ccbloom** · 09-02-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Yelsel

Really easy cheat sheet --

Stay on the middle ring (where the pedals turn) most of the time. You can shift through all 9 cogs at the back.

If you are going uphill: drop down to the smallest ring. Use the largest 3-4 cogs.

If you are going downhill, or really fast: go up to the biggest chain ring. Use the smallest 3-4 cogs.

You don't really get 27 unique speeds: there is a large overlap in gears between the different chainring / cog combinations. You only get the unique gears at the "fast" end (large chainring, smallest few cogs) and the "slow" end (small chainring, largest few cogs). There is no reason to cross-chain, because you have those gears on your middle chainring, and should not be shifting all the way through the large or small chainring.

This is great info! I read this somewhere else the other day and I've been using it ever since. It's a great little tidbit of info for a newbie!

You experienced guys talk about rings. I only see "numbers on the handlebar".

My shifters don't even have numbers

Talk about confusing! If I'm on the middle chainring, I find that it's getting easier for me to tell which gear I'm in. Kind of like, I know I have two more smaller back rings to go, or something like that before I max out this front ring. If I know a hill is approaching, I shift to larger rings two or three times, and then switch to my smaller ring. If I feel the pedaling is too easy on level ground, I know I'm already on the smallest in the back and can switch to my largest front ring without a problem. It's easy to look just between your legs and see which front ring you're on.

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