Just getting started

[jusdooit]

Also changing the front (either up or down) one ring is approximately the same as 3 rings in the back. I mention this beacause before changing the rfont front you wwant to change the rear in an opposite fashion app 3 rings first. For example if you're going to make it easier to pedal by changing the front to a smaller ring, the change the back to a bigger ring followed immediately by changing the front. This takes a little (maybe a lot) of practice. It wil keep you from "spinning" or "mashing" when chainging gears. (Hope all that made sense.)

[sadieme]

I just spent some time trying to figure out the gears and doing some saddle adjustments.

Not sure whats wrong, but the chain wont move to the outer (largest) chainring. It just goes from the small one to the middle one. Sometimes it 'rattles' when on the middle one. Not sure if thats because its trying to get settled in, or what. I dont know the terminology but the piece that seems to be 'moving' the chain maybe isnt allowing it to move as far towards the outside as it should? Although it is moving to the outside. But when it 'rattles' it appears to be because the chain is hitting that piece when its on the middle ring.

Thought and suggestions appreciated.

Does that make sense?

sorry for the ramble.

[tytbody]

I had similar issues as you had
Sadime, when trying out my bike. I was scooting back also. Didn't know why. it was good reading that i would need a seat adjustment. I'd love to ride along side someone that knows what's going on and what to try.

Even though I looked at the video, when I read you all say shift down, does that mean in the numbers on the right-hand gear?

Which gear do you use more often? Seems you all are referring to the left one. I've always only used the right because I don't know when to shift. When I would shift, I'd use the right one.

so down shifting is making the number larger or smaller on the front or the back?

Sadieme - I do hear what you are trying to say and I don't know what is happening but I understand, the clanking. Something is not catching on the gear thing. What do they call that when the chain is on the thingy? lol. boy do I need to learn parts. If they have a detailed picture of parts, I could talk more sensibly, (I hope at least) lol

[goldfinch]

Shifting down is going to a lower gear. So, if you have numbers on your shifter shifting down will be to lower numbers. If you actually look at the rings on your bike, when you shift down on the front you will go from larger chain rings to smaller. This is using the left hand shifter. In contrast, when you shift down to a lower gear on the rear, using your right hand shifter, you will be using larger size cogs. But you still will be shifting down to easier gears and the numbers on your shifting mechanism will be going lower.

So, first gear on the left hand shifter coupled with first gear on the right will be the lowest gear of all. But you will be on the biggest cog on the back and smallest chain ring on the front.

[goldfinch]

Not sure whats wrong, but the chain wont move to the outer (largest) chainring. It just goes from the small one to the middle one. Sometimes it 'rattles' when on the middle one. Not sure if thats because its trying to get settled in, or what. I dont know the terminology but the piece that seems to be 'moving' the chain maybe isnt allowing it to move as far towards the outside as it should? Although it is moving to the outside. But when it 'rattles' it appears to be because the chain is hitting that piece when its on the middle ring.

Thought and suggestions appreciated.

Does that make sense?

sorry for the ramble.

The chain is rubbing on your front derailleur mechanism. On my old bike when I shifted using the left hand shifter for the front derailleur I had to push the shifter one and a half times to have it shift up to the next highest gear. Going down, I only had to click the shifter once. So, depending on your type of shifting mechanism, that may be the problem.

Otherwise, you might have to have your front derailleur adjusted.

Another issue is that it is harder to shift up the front derailleur than other shifting you will do. You are effectively moving up several gears. You can't push the pedals hard when shifting on the front. Just easily pedal as you shift.

[Velocivixen]

The derailleur in the front is not moving the chain up to the big ring. As the chain goes around the middle chain ring, the chain is rubbing on the derailleur cage (looking down from the top is looks like a parallelogram. Please watch this youtube video and it will explain everything. I have watched many videos and this guy explains it very well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tQxJ...eature=related

Hope it helps.

[tytbody]

Wow. that was scary just sitting here watching that chain come off. He was good. Great clear pictures.

I'm reading about the gears now. I feel like i'm in Bike terminology school.