New bike gearing

[Scott1sh]

Hello again all

I have just bought http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/cobalt-two-2015-hybrid-bike-ec071289 and was hoping for some advice on the gears

The left gear has 3 | 2 | 1 and the right gear has 8 * 6 * * 3 * 1

I haven't rode a bike in about 10 years and i took it for a little 2 mile test run, i was primarly on left 2 and between 3 and 6 on the right, starting at 4 when i stopped or slowed then moving up to 6 to get more resistance.

I would appreciated any pointers or tips if im doing it correct or incorrect. I plan on working ym way up to cycling 15 miles from glasgow to home.

 

[Learnincurve]

Not the exact same shifters as yours but a good guide none the less http://citybicycleworks.com/articles/how-to-shift-shimano-rapidfire-plus-pg295.htm

 

[nickyboy]

Your bike has 2 gear mechanisms. The one at the front where the pedals are and the one at the back attached to the hub of the rear wheel. The one at the front has 3 gears and the left controlled changes this (hence 3/2/1). The one at the back has 8 gears and the right controller changes this (hence 8/*/6/*/*/3/*/1).

So in theory you have 24 available gears. The hardest to pedal, which is also your fastest gear (like 5th gear in a car) is 3 x 8 (this is the biggest gear at the front and the smallest at the rear). Your easiest gear (like 1st gear in a car) is 1 x 1 (smallest at the front and biggest at the rear). Where you were is 2 x 5 (say) which is a medium gear (like 3rd in a car).

Just have a play around and find a gear that allows you to pedal reasonably quickly without feeling too exhausted. One tip though; avoid choosing gears like 3 x 1 or 1 x 8. These cause the chain to travel between the front gears and the back gears at quite an angle. This will probably make quite a racket and will also wear out your gears and chain more quickly.

 

[MikeW-71]

Just takes some practice.

Nickyboy has the gist of it, change gears to keep yourself at the effort level you feel comfortable with. Note that as you cycle more, and you get stronger, you'll be using a higher gear for the same effort and going a bit quicker.

If you can ride regularly, you'll have that 15 miles done next month

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I plan on working ym way up to cycling 15 miles from glasgow to home.

You can do it!

 

[biggs682]

You can do it!

if not ask @Pat "5mph" and she will do it for you

 

[Pat "5mph"]

if not ask @Pat "5mph" and she will do it for you

He, he, done it many times: the op lives at half way of a popular cycling route here.

 

[Brommyboy]

The simplest way to start is to put the LH sifter to position 2 and only use the RH one until you have figured out what goes on when changing gear! After that consider the LH positions 1 & 3 as higher or lower gearing.

 

[Scott1sh]

Thanks all really useful info for this newbie lol

I went out last night and managed a measly 5.2km round trip in 17 mins and I was knackered

I am so unfit at the moment , need to lose the gut

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Thanks all really useful info for this newbie lol

I went out last night and managed a measly 5.2km round trip in 17 mins and I was knackered

I am so unfit at the moment , need to lose the gut

Keep at it, rest if you hurt to much but no more than is needed for the pain to subside, this is the day after, this pain are the muscles repairing themselves after the damage done during exercise.