Seeing gear indicators in the dark

[Custom24]

Hi
How do people know what gear they are in when riding in the dark off road? Sounds stupid, but I've found myself using big chainring on the front and big on the back a couple of times by accident, because I thought I was in the middle ring on the front. Would a light on my helmet help me to see the gear indicators?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Hi
How do people know what gear they are in when riding in the dark off road? Sounds stupid, but I've found myself using big chainring on the front and big on the back a couple of times by accident, because I thought I was in the middle ring on the front. Would a light on my helmet help me to see the gear indicators?

Does it matter as long as you can pedal in it ?

 

[Archie_tect]

If it's harder to pedal than it needs to be drop down a gear until it's easy again... you don't need to see them.

 

[Custom24]

It chews up the drivetrain to use the big chainring at the front and the biggest at the back, or the small at the front and the smallest at the back. I should have made it clear that this was my concern.

 

[DaveReading]

So that's what those little needles are for ?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

my (very) old 105 shifters don't have indicators anyway but it's not something that has ever really been a problem -as above if I can pedal then I'm in the right gear. I've occasionally cross chained myself but the sound of chain clattering off the shifter usually gives it away.

 

[Custom24]

There is no clattering with mine in the big/big combination, or actually in the small/small combination either

I was thinking that some glow in the dark stuff on the indicators might be useful. Or that a light on my helmet might help. I'm thinking about getting a light on my helmet anyway.

 

[Andy_R]

ermmm....spend more time on your bike and get to know it (just as you would in your car) ...........

 

[Custom24]

ermmm....spend more time on your bike and get to know it (just as you would in your car) ...........

I suspected someone would say that. Doesn't make sense. I do spend quite a lot of time on the bike. I have 24 gear ratios available - you expect me to magically know which I am in? My cars have 5 and 6, plus the position of the gear lever in a car can be checked just by placing a hand on it.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I suspected someone would say that. Doesn't make sense. I do spend quite a lot of time on the bike. I have 24 gear ratios available - you expect me to magically know which I am in? My cars have 5 and 6, plus the position of the gear lever in a car can be checked just by placing a hand on it.

I you find yourself going up a hill and it is difficult you need to change gear until it isn't, if you find yourself peddling madly going down a hill you need to change gear until you are not ................. it doesn't matter what gear it is, it matters what it feels like ............. simples

 

[Custom24]

I you find yourself going up a hill and it is difficult you need to change gear until it isn't, if you find yourself peddling madly going down a hill you need to change gear until you are not ................. it doesn't matter what gear it is, it matters what it feels like ............. simples

But you're ignoring the cross chain issue

Never mind, obviously this isn't a problem for other people, for whatever reason.

 

[Kookas]

I don't even use my gear indicators in the day, I just look down and check.

 

[Custom24]

I don't even use my gear indicators in the day, I just look down and check.

It's dark.

 

[spence]

You don't need indicators at all, take them off - there's a blanking plate attached to their backside. You'll need to anyway to move your brake levers inboard for easy one finger usage.

 

[Kookas]

It's dark.

All I need to be able to see is the outline of the chain and the sprockets. I find that's doable even with only the moon to see by. Could be my rear lights helping a bit, but at 35 lumens they aren't anything special compared to the more serious stuff.