Just getting started

[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.