New to bike riding--need advice on the gears to use.?

Question

I've ridden before, but a long long time ago. I just got this bike yesterday, and its a great bike. Its a mountain bike with 18 gears (as I was told).. I read a little online about the gears. The one on the right clicks three times, so I'm guessing thats the back wheel. I'm just confused because the one on the left handle DOES NOT click at all. It just slides up and down. I know there should be 6 different gears on there but I can't tell just by sliding it.

I'm still kind of clueless on which gears not to use.. at least in practice. The chain just came off due to my experimenting with the gears on the way home so I really dont want it to happen again. I know you shouldnt use the big big gears or small small..so shifting down on both is bad and shifting up on both is bad, I think? .. Which combination are for uphill?

If you can help then please respond. Thanks.

Answer 1

As MV said, some shifters are "indexed" -- which means they click, while others just slide. Indexing means the gears will stop in just the right place (assuming they are adjusted right). Non-indexed shifters are a little trickier ... you have to move the lever slowly a bit past the ideal position while you pedal until the gear changes to the next cog, then back off slightly so any chain noise stops. The stops (adjustable screws that limit travel) on the front derailleur should allow you to simply move the lever all the way one way to get into the smallest front gear (easiest to peddle) and all the way the other way for the big gear (hardest to peddle), while the middle gear will be in between (and you will have to find the right position by tial and error until you get used to it. The big secret for front shifting is to shift slowly while peddling. If you move the lever too fast you may throw the chain off (as you found out).

It sounds like you have index shifting on the back (right lever) and non-index (also called "friction" shifting) on the front (left lever).

If your bike is a mountain bike with 18 gears it has 3 big gears at the front and 6 at the back (hence the 18 = 3 x 6).

You shift the chain between the 3 front gears with the left lever, and among the 6 rear gears with the right lever.

Until you get used to changing gears put the chain on the middle gear at the front. Then use the 6 gears at the back. The smallest gear at the back is the hardest to turn and makes you go the fastest. The largest gear at the back is the easiest to turn and is used for medium hills/slopes. Choose in between gears for conditions in between.

Basically, you can probably do 80-90% of your rides in the front middle gear. You only need the small front gear for fairly steep hills, and the front large gear for when you have a tailwind or want to go really fast downhill.

For now focus on your peddle stroke, and try to use a gear that allows you to fairly comfortably turn the cranks at 70-90 rpm. If you peddle more slowly it puts stress on your knees and more quickly will probably make you breath harder.

Peddle with the ball of the foot on the pedal  -- not the arch. That way you can use the muscles in your ankle and foot, not just your those in your leg.

Good luck.

Answer 2

First to figure out how many gears you have is very simple you multiply the number of front sprocket gears times the number of gears on the back thats all there is to that.

Second part is just ride what gear you feel comfortable in without working to hard or to easy for you and always start off from complete stop in an easy gear

Answer 3

Usually the shifter for the front rings is on the left side and the shifter for the rear cogs is on the Right side (easy to remember, Right = Rear).

Some shifters use indexed shifting, which is the clicking you hear.   Some use friction shifting which means you kinda feel how far to push or pull the lever to shift.   Some shifters can operate in either mode.