What gears?

[mobi]

Assuming MTB has 3x7 gears, is there any recommendation of which gear to use on what terrain?

For example, normal roads, muddy roads, flat trails, uphill/downhill etc.

Thanx

 

[ianrauk]

Only from what your legs are telling you. Use gears as and when needed.

 

[ScotiaLass]

You'll develop a feel for it. Go with what your legs are telling you....mine often say ' You want me to do what?!'

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Get used to changing the rear so swapping the front takes you back to a similar
gear. Your fronts may be typically near 2 and 3 rear gears for a 7 speed rear.
Then use the right size front chain ring for the general or coming conditions.

Generally use 1 to 4 rear with your small front, 2 to 6 rear with the medium
front and 4 to 7 rear with the big front. Look at a table of your gears, e.g. :
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/, it will show the gear overlaps you have.

(Due to overlap my 2 front 7 rear really only has 9 distinct gears.)

Think ahead for your front gearing, change sooner rather than later.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Cycleops]

Given you have 21 gears there plenty to choose from. Keep your cranks spinning well with not too much resistance.

 

[Paulus]

If your legs are spinning the cranks too fast without going very fast, you are in a too low a gear and need to change down to a higher gear(smaller sprocket) at the rear. If you are on the granny ring(smallest) chainring at the front, go onto the middle ring, or up to the largest ring. Your legs will tell you what is comfortable for the road condition you are on. Aim to spin the cranks at about 70-80 RPM for whatever gear you are in.

 

[Old Plodder]

For example, normal roads, muddy roads, flat trails, uphill/downhill etc.

If you are just starting out, consider the outer chainring as an overdrive on roads & mainly use the middle.
Offroad: Dry conditions, use the middle chainring, wet conditions use the inner. Mud & uphill offroad use the inner.
That should get you started, so that you can concentrate on gear changing & terrain.
All the best.