mechanical sympathy

[Dan B]

Racing and normal riding are different. Racing is all about getting the best speed you can out of the bike. While you are easing up to change gear the other guy will smash his through and be gone.

Although even in a race situation it helps to not unship your chain while changing ring, and having a good feel for how the bike works (not that I'm suggesting Schleck didn't, of course) will help you there ...

 

[biggs682]

if it aint broke dont fix it

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I was quite surprised by the amount of crunching & grinding of gears I heard at the start of each hill on the FNRttC. Obviously one doesnt always see the bumps & holes in the dark.... but do people need to see their gears to make the changes smooth?

almost on a par with the amount of graunching as people try to clip in when the cry of 'all up!' sounds. Perhaps they don't know where their cleats are.

it never ceases to amaze me how people will attempt to change gear standing on the pedals honking up that 17% hill on the Hammerpond Road..

even funnier when it dawns on them they are on a fixed or a singlespeed. Tim-buuuurrrrrrr!

 

[Moodyman]

It also helps a lot to understand how things work.

Agree.

If you've stripped a bike or a bike part and understand it works, you're more likely to use them properly - i.e. know how to use them efficiently.

 

[Piemaster]

if it aint broke dont fixie it

FTFY