Subject: RE: Understanding Gears and Cassettes My undergrad is in mechanical engineering, and while I undertand the numbers, I don't worry about them too much.
From a simplistic view, "higher" gears are harder to pedal, thus a lower cadence. "Lower" gears are easier to pedal, thus higher cadence.
To shift into a higher gear, the chain moves away from the bike (to a larger gear up front or a smaller gear in the back ). Use a higher gear when you are at speed on a flat road, or going downhill.
To shift into a lower gear, the chain moves towards the bike (to a smaller gear up front or a larger gear in the back ). Use this to get moving or climbing hills.
For the most part, think of the front gear as low speed (small ring ) or high speed (big ring ). Use the back cassette for 'fine tuning' your ride, controling cadence, etc. If you decide you want a faster high speed than your bike has, buy a crank with a bigger number for the big ring - realizing it will be more difficult to pedal.
If you really want to calculate all of your gear ratios, we can do that...but it won't really matter when your riding. Just focus on your cadence and ride.
Hope that helps. |