Bike Gearing

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2009-07-21 5:17 PM

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Arlington, VA
Subject: Bike Gearing

I’ve probably spent more time on a bike since Saturday that I had in the prior two decades.  To say I am a bit rusty is an insult to rusty things. 

I am hoping to confirm I have a proper understanding of my gearing.  My cheap Schwinn Prelude has an H (big ring) and an L (small ring) on the front and 1 (biggest ring) through 7 (smallest ring) on the back.  I am finding that when I hit the oppressive hills of my neighborhood I am best able to keep things moving by shifting to L (small ring up front) and 1 (big ring in the back).  When I am going downhill or on the rare flat ground, I can shift to H and a mid-range number.  Does that make sense? 

2009-07-21 5:29 PM
in reply to: #2299914

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Des Moines, IA
Subject: RE: Bike Gearing
yeah the bigger ring on front the harder you're going to have to pedal.

example set up: 

Big ring in front - Smallest ring on back = hardest configuration, use on big downhills and you'll see speeds up to 30mph!

Big ring in front - Mid ring in back = easier to pedal, on the same downhill  your legs will spin very quickly.

Small ring in front - Biggest ring in back = Easiest to pedal, use this to go up really steep hills or when your legs are completely shot and you need to get home at any cost.

Small ring in front - Small ring in back (crossing your chain, don't do this) = moderately easy but you wont spin out.  I better configuration than doing this is to be in the above "Big ring in front, mid ring in back".

Hope this helped.
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