Gears on Bike?

Question

The gears on my handles are set up like this:

Left Handle: 3, 2, 1

Right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

What do the left handle and right handle do?

What should it be when I'm on level ground?

Uphill?

Downhill?

Answer 1

The object of gears is to enable you to keep your feet going at a comfortable 75-95 rpm no matter what speed you're going.

Keep the left shifter in "2" and use the 6 gears on the right most of the time. Start in "1" and if your feet go too fast, shift up to the next number. If you are going really fast and "6" isn't high enough, shift the left to "3," which is your overdrive. Then adjust the right shifter to get your feet in the 75-95 rpm range. If you get to "3" on the left and "6" on the right, that's your biggest gear - there ain't no more!

If you are going up a hill, shift from your cruising gear - whatever that is - down towards "1" as your feet go slower. If you get to "1" and you cannot keep your feet going at a comfortable speed, then shift the left to "1." The "1" on the left is your underdrive - the opposite of an overdrive. If you can't keep your feet going in 1/1, then get off and walk! As you get experience, you will learn which hills require underdrive. Whenever possible, you should shift to it before you need it, because the front shifter doesn't shift well under load.

I make the observation: 3x6 gearing usually means an X-Mart mountain bike. Bike-shop level mountain bikes typically use 3x9 gearing.

Answer 2

the gears on the right handel control the gears on the rear wheel the gears on the left handel control the gears on the pedals you should put the bike in whatever gear is most comfortable for you, there is no right or wrong gear to be in like when you are driving a stick shift car

Answer 3

3x6=18    You have an 18 speed bicycle

The left hand gizmo on your handlebar is called a shifter, it is connected by a cable to the Front Derailleur. When you pedal the bike and turn the shifter the front derailleur moves your chain from one gear to another, the gear it is on determines the gear ratio you are riding in. The smallest gear (1) is for very steep hills or mountains or off road use in loose dirt or sand, the middle gear (2) would be used with moderate hills or pedaling into a strong wind. The larger gear (3) is generally used the most for street riding and level firm ground.

Most people can use gear #3 and never have to change it.

The shifter on the right side handlebar is connected to your Rear Derailleur and may have from 5 to 10 gears, yours has 6 gears. Gear 1 would be the slowest and easiest to pedal but you may seem to go nowhere fast. Gear 6 is the fastest and hardest to pedal but will make your bike move faster.

On level ground I suggest keeping the gears in 3-3, thats #3 on the left and #3 on the right. That setting is usually the same gear ratio as a single speed bicycle and the most comfortable gear to start in.

As you ride try changing the right shifter to 4 and you will notice it's slightly harder to pedal and the bike will move faster kind of like when you up-shift your car, next try #5 for a minute and then gear  #6. If it's too hard to pedal drop back to 5 then 4, just remember to go one gear at a time. If you are going up hill lower the gear setting to make pedalling easier and downhill raise it to go faster. All these gears just make it easier to ride up or downhill and  with or against the wind. There is no one setting that's good for every one or everyplace.

Your bike has gears that you may never need to use. Unlike a car you do not have to start in first and keep shifting up and down . The 18 speeds make your bike usable in many areas of the world and once you get the hang of shifting it sure can make riding easier and more fun.

Whoever just gave this answer a thumbs down can't read.

Answer 4

think simplistically. small numbers=small gears/easier to pedal. large numbers=large gears/harder to pedal. on the flat, find a gear in which you can maintain a comfortable cadence. as you start to feel resistance, shift your rear derailleur (right shifter) into a lower gear to maintain your cadence. if you start to spin-over when you crank, shift up to a higher gear. use your front derailleur (left shifter) for more dramatic ratio changes. most riders will stay in their middle chainring, shifting to their granny gear (small chainring) to climb, or their big ring to descend or increase their power output..

Answer 5

It's to do with ratios- big gear on the front small gear on the back requires a lot of effort to pedal but it's ideal for going downhill. On the right handle 1 is the easiest to pedal and 6 is the hardest but you can go faster.

Answer 6

It really depends on your leg strength. If you're going to go up and down hills, I suggest you only adjust the rear (the right adjusting mechanism) gears. I think you should use the 2nd front gear, and the 3rd (or 4th, depending on your leg strength) rear gear for level ground. If you're going to go downhill, you don't always need to switch gears (I personally just brake a bit), but if you want to, change to a higher numbered rear gear (5th or 6th). When going uphill, change to a lower numbered rear gear (1st or 2nd). The lower gears will always be easier to pedal on, while the higher gears will be harder to pedal on. If you feel that the 2nd front gear is way too easy for you, then switch to the 3rd front gear. However, remember that lighter resistance is better for exercising the legs. If you have your bike manual, check the gear section as well.