embarassingly stupid question

[GreatPaws]

Ok I looked at the sheldon's site.. it's over my head. I don't even know what to enter in the gear calculator. stock cassette? Isn't that what I used to use to play tapes on before there were CD players?

So I found one with pictures and NOW I get it!

http://www.singletracks.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=3497

All of your answers have helped SO much! My brain really hurts though.. but I will keep reading!

Packing up Alantis (what I named my Giant Cypress, xs small. Ironic= song title from Alantis Morrisette) and heading to Nags Head!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Packing up Alantis (what I named my Giant Cypress, xs small. Ironic= song title from Alantis Morrisette) and heading to Nags Head!

Isn't the singer named Alanis?

[lph]

If it's any consolation, I've been riding for years and I frequently forget how many gears I have, and I never know which one I'm in unless it's the lowest or the highest. Ok, I can remember (pretty easy to see) how many I have in front, but out back I just see a mess of cogs. One, two, many. On my Trek I had.. 7, on my Kona I have 8, on my road bike I have 9, on my new Nakamura I forget. I just count when it's time to buy a new cassette

[mwilson84]

Just think of it this way - the closer the chain is to you and the bike, the easier it will be to climb a hill. The farther away, the harder.

I read most of the posts and I would say, by far this is the easiest for me to comprehend. And most helpful!

[OakLeaf]

If it's any consolation, I've been riding for years and I frequently forget how many gears I have, and I never know which one I'm in unless it's the lowest or the highest.

Knowing it's the lowest or highest is doing better than I am.

My cables would probably last a lot longer if I quit trying to shift into 11th, or 0th.

It only takes a quick glance to look and see. I believe Shimano has some kind of computer that tells you what gear you're in, but I've never had one of those.

[spacecandy2001]

I want to thank you for this question and now I understand what,how and when to shift. My DH understands all this but I just couldn't get it to click in my head. Now it does.

[SadieKate]

I read most of the posts and I would say, by far this is the easiest for me to comprehend. And most helpful!

You're welcome - though I can't take credit for the idea!