how do i ride a 21 speed bike? lol?

Question

alright so i just bought a new bike and it has 21 speeds(3 big speeds on left handlebar, 7 on right handlebar). what exactly do i do with the speeds while cyclling?? like, are the 2 shifters for different things? which gears are best used to go up a steep hill? am i supposed to change both shifters or just one?

? · Accepted Answer

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html

Google "how to shift bicycle gears" http://www.google.com/#gs_rn=19&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=26&gs_id=2&xhr=t&q=how+to+shift+bicycle+gears&es_nrs=true&pf=p&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=how+to+shift+bicycle+gears&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.eWU&fp=ed9dc457b617ee1d&biw=1280&bih=878

? · Answer

lul

It is not about shifting it is all about pedaling. the gears support the pedaling. here is a primer i did several years ago. It should help. Read up on "spinning". It allows the modern cyclist to do both speed and distance with little fatigue.

The right hand gears control the rear (wheel) cogs. The larger cogs are easier (lower) and the small ones are the harder (higher) and faster gears. The left hand controls the three gears (chain rings) attached to the pedal. You use the smallest one only for going up steep hills. You use the larger two for the flats and down hills.

On a mountain bike I would almost always be in the biggest chain wheel (controlled by the left hand) and I would use the right hand gears to keep my spin rate and pedal pressure. SEE BELOW

Pedaling is the most important part of riding. You spin the pedal at a high cadence of 70+ rpm with moderate pedal pressure. You use the gears to maintain that same cadence and pedal pressure through out your ride, on all terrain. Do not 'mash' the pedals.... pedaling at too slow of a rate in too high / hard of a gear.

Read up on spinning and shifting, or ask in this forum. It is the key to your being able to ride distance, with speed, without fatigue.

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how do i ride a 21 speed bike? lol?

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