What's first gear?

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2014-07-11 11:50 AM

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Subject: What's first gear?
I was out for my ride today and really moving along and shifted up and thought, "Alright, I'm in first gear." Then I realized that it was the opposite of what it should be. In a car, first gear is the gear you start in and usually go the slowest. Thinking about it some more, I realized that my mind has given the back sprocket numbers (1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, etc.) and the pedal sprocket ranges.... High range and low range. So when I'm talking to myself, I say things like, "I'm in 2nd gear low range or I'm in 3rd gear high range) Does anyone else think like this?

2014-07-11 12:07 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
Get yourself some Spinervals DVDs or downloads and you'll move to

Big ring, 15
Small ring, 21



2014-07-11 12:15 PM
in reply to: DanielG

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
Just like in a car, 1st gear transfers higher RPMs into a lower speed. This is the gear on your car that the engine will be revving really fast but you are barely moving. On your bike, this is the gear that you may be pedaling really fast and barely moving. This is the gear for climbing hills or just starting from a stop.
2014-07-11 12:17 PM
in reply to: Danno77

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
PS, forget what gear you are in and just pedal fast. I like to be around 90+ RPMs. If I'm pedaling at 80, then I shift so that's it's easier to pedal fast. If I'm spinning up at 115, then I shift so it's a little harder to pedal.
2014-07-11 12:25 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?

 

Never think too much about what gear I am in, just think about cadence and RPE.

2014-07-11 12:27 PM
in reply to: Danno77

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
Originally posted by Danno77

PS, forget what gear you are in and just pedal fast. I like to be around 90+ RPMs. If I'm pedaling at 80, then I shift so that's it's easier to pedal fast. If I'm spinning up at 115, then I shift so it's a little harder to pedal.


x2 exactly!

2014-07-11 12:51 PM
in reply to: ejshowers

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
Yep, I'm not too aware of what gear I'm in unless I'm all the way at the top or the bottom. I just adjust until I find the gear that keeps me at a good cadence.
2014-07-11 1:25 PM
in reply to: kbeddoes

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
That sounds like the issue I have with "turn up the AC"

I have noticed at the LBS, they will refer to gears as "big and small" or "easier" and "harder" to avoid confusion. I really don't know how you numerically identify the front and back combinations, but you can say "4 in the back and one in the front". Find a comfort bike, old mt bike, or any other bike with dial shifters. The dials will be numbered, and the smallest number is the easiest gear, just like a car.
2014-07-11 1:32 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
I'm always confused if I'm in a high gear or low gear.

Is it the opposite to cars?

Easy on the bike = high?

1st in car = Low (I know that one, I'm a driving instructor...lol)
2014-07-11 1:38 PM
in reply to: b2run


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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
I always thought that you biggest (highest) gear is the one that gives the most revolutions of the wheel per pedal stroke.
2014-07-11 1:43 PM
in reply to: Sidney Porter

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?

Originally posted by Sidney Porter I always thought that you biggest (highest) gear is the one that gives the most revolutions of the wheel per pedal stroke.

It is. And vice versa for the smallest (or lowest) gear, fewest revolutions of the wheel per pedal stroke.

An older mountain bike had grip shift on it. The spots were numbered. 1-2-3 for the rings and 1 to 7 for the cogs. Smallest combo was 1-1 and highest was 3-7. So if someone really wants to "number" their gears, that's how I'd do it.

2014-07-11 2:41 PM
in reply to: happyscientist

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Subject: RE: What's first gear?
I like the "easier" or "harder" terms. I don't have to think about that when I'm concentrating on other things.
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