Embarrassed to admit this.... but ...

[SavageHoutkop]

I got my new bike about 5 months back after never cycling since about 12 as well. Previous bike never had gears and never rode far on it either!

When I first tried out the test bike in the shop, I had completely the wrong idea about gears; I thought you had to be in the harder to pedal gear to go up hills (it is about how it 'feels' relative to driving a car; in my defense ).

For my purposes, I have 6 gears and it works for me - I have used all of them at some point but for simply commuting to work and back I spend most of my time in one gear as my commute is pretty flat.

Not sure about how mechanically minded you are - the basic 'non technical' idea behind gears is that your pedalling needs to make the rear wheel turn so that the bike moves forwards. The chain connects your pedalling to the wheel via a cog. If that cog is small, then for every one rotation of your legs your back wheel is going to rotate many times; so it's hard to pedal. The bigger the back cog (i.e the one by the rear wheel), the easier to pedal. If you have a hub gear, you can't see any of this in action though, I've yet to figure out how those work despite having one on my bike... one step at a time

Was just about to correct Anorak's assertion that you can't change gears when stationary but see Arch beat me to it!

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

I am so grateful for all the replies and the info! - As the supermarket giant says, "every little helps!" - but in this case it's been quite a lot! So thank you.

I am beginning to understand it now... I don't drive (failed miserably twice) but the allusion to the gears in a car has really made sense to me. I get it now!

I am in Diss and I have the luxury of having 3 LBS, all of which are very good... I tend to use Madgetts (where I got my bike from) and Cycle Shack (for my accessories). I haven't been into the other one yet but its very close to where I work so might go in there at some point.

So far I have my bike, some front and back lights (as I cycle to work in the dark at about 5.30am!!) and a helmet - even though I have noticed hardly anyone round here seems to wear a helmet and I admit I feel a bit daft - my husband lovingly (grrr) says I look like a mushroom head in it.. Thanks. But I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

At least I know more about the gears now should I investigate another bike! Thanks so much

 

[BearPear]

Oh no, now you've done it - you mentioned the "H" word. My advice would be to take cover now!!!

Personally I too am a helmet wearer and another lady newbie cyclist. Welcome to the forum, a (generally) happy and helpful bunch I think you'll find!

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

Oh no, now you've done it - you mentioned the "H" word. My advice would be to take cover now!!!

Personally I too am a helmet wearer and another lady newbie cyclist. Welcome to the forum, a (generally) happy and helpful bunch I think you'll find!

Thanks. Nice to meet another lady newbie.

Is a helmet such a "dark hole of contention" then?

I am interested and intrigued now...!!

 

[PK99]

but am blown into the weeds when people talk about inches of gears. I have no flippin idea what they are on about, and they might as well be speaking Norwegian.

Ye Olde English actually:

Gear inches has no current physical significance; it corresponds to the diameter in inches of the main wheel of an old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycle with equivalent gearing.

 

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum.Best bit of advice I have read on this thread is dont rush into buying another bike. Lots of people rush out and spend hundreds on a bike they quickly realize isnt really what they want.

If you perservere you will soon find that hills you think are hardwork now will become easier until they are enjoyable.

 

[wafflycat]

I am so grateful for all the replies and the info! - As the supermarket giant says, "every little helps!" - but in this case it's been quite a lot! So thank you.

I am beginning to understand it now... I don't drive (failed miserably twice) but the allusion to the gears in a car has really made sense to me. I get it now!

I am in Diss and I have the luxury of having 3 LBS, all of which are very good... I tend to use Madgetts (where I got my bike from) and Cycle Shack (for my accessories). I haven't been into the other one yet but its very close to where I work so might go in there at some point.

So far I have my bike, some front and back lights (as I cycle to work in the dark at about 5.30am!!) and a helmet - even though I have noticed hardly anyone round here seems to wear a helmet and I admit I feel a bit daft - my husband lovingly (grrr) says I look like a mushroom head in it.. Thanks. But I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

At least I know more about the gears now should I investigate another bike! Thanks so much

Another Norfolk female cyclist! Hurrah! The more of us the better.

Madgetts is a very good bike shop, by the way - very well respected amongst the 'serious' cycling community of Norfolk. Better known as Uncle Madgetts Magic Emporium If you're in Norwich at all & need bike stuff, I recommend Specialised Cycles in Connaught Road as best of all for bits, bobs, repairs, accessories... and for a small but good range of folders and top-end bikes. After that there's Pedal Revolution on Bethel Street in Norwich. They have more floor space than Specialised, so have more cycles, and range from basic but ok hybrid stuff up to top end carbon Bianchi, Trek, Cervelo...

 

[TheDoctor]

Thanks. Nice to meet another lady newbie.

Is a helmet such a "dark hole of contention" then?

I am interested and intrigued now...!!

Helmets divide opinion like Marmite.
Some swear by them, some swear at them!!!

Just echoing what others have said really - the hills get easier the more you ride...

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

Another Norfolk female cyclist! Hurrah! The more of us the better.

Madgetts is a very good bike shop, by the way - very well respected amongst the 'serious' cycling community of Norfolk. Better known as Uncle Madgetts Magic Emporium If you're in Norwich at all & need bike stuff, I recommend Specialised Cycles in Connaught Road as best of all for bits, bobs, repairs, accessories... and for a small but good range of folders and top-end bikes. After that there's Pedal Revolution on Bethel Street in Norwich. They have more floor space than Specialised, so have more cycles, and range from basic but ok hybrid stuff up to top end carbon Bianchi, Trek, Cervelo...

Thanks for the reccomendations - I am in Norwich on Tuesday actually so might have a look at those shops

I love Madgetts - it's like Aladdins cave... it just goes on and on. Needless to say my £45 bike was in the shed at the very end but was a great bargain as it does what it needs to. I picked up a bike for my 6 yr old at £15 as well

I am enjoying reading everyones comments about the gears

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

Helmets divide opinion like Marmite.
Some swear by them, some swear at them!!!

Just echoing what others have said really - the hills get easier the more you ride...

I truly hope so!!!

 

[bottlemsher]

Greetings from Norwich

Have a look on the Diss tab here
http://www.norfolkda.co.uk/

ideal for beginners who crave knowledge

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

Greetings from Norwich

Have a look on the Diss tab here
http://www.norfolkda.co.uk/

ideal for beginners who crave knowledge

I am really excited by that! - Great stuff... ! Thanks very much

 

[Crankarm]

Do you think you would benefit from some formal cycle training? It might be a good investment in many respects. Your local authority might offer a training scheme. Just a thought.

 

[g00se]

Hi from another in Norwich.

This could help - provided the presenter doesn't send you to sleep:

http://bicycletutor.com/gear-shifting/

 

[NorfolkNewbie]

I have thought about cycle training .. perhaps I will look into it. Funds are very limited at the moment so depends how much it is...

Thanks for the advice and the links.