How do you use bike shifters?

To operate the shifters you push the lever sideways until you hear a click. For most mountain and hybrid style bikes with flat bars, you shift the gears by using set paddles that you operate with your thumb. Some bikes operate with “grip shifters”, or a dial that is located to the inside of where you place your hands.

What does 21-speed mean in bike gears?

A 21-speed bike has three front gears and seven in the rear. Each speed on a bike refers to a different combination of gears. By changing the combination of these gears, you can make it more or less difficult to pedal. Despite the number of gears, it is simple to learn to ride a 21-speed bike.

Which is the easiest gear on a bike?

low gear
The low gear is the “easy” gear and is primarily used when climbing. The low gear is the smallest chain ring in the front, and the largest cog on the rear cassette. In this position pedaling will be easiest and the least amount of force will be required to push the pedals.

Which gear is best for cycling?

What are the best gears to cycle in? Shift to easier gears when climbing uphill or when you’re riding in the direction of the wind. Use a harder gear for flat terrains, or if the wind is blowing from behind – a tailwind situation. If you’re in doubt, it is advisable to shift before a terrain change.

How do you shift gears on a 21-speed bike?

On the handlebars of a 21-speed bike (the most typical), you’ll see a left-side shift lever with the numbers 1, 2 and 3, and a right-side shift lever with 1 through 7. The lever on the left controls the three chainrings on your front derailleur, and drastically change how easy or hard it is to pedal.

How many gears are there on a 21 speed system?

However, this doesn’t mean you have 21 useable gears. Actually, on a 21 speed system it’s closer to 13. A lot of people get confused by all of the gear combinations available. I myself didn’t understand it when I first started using a multi-speed bike, so today we’ll learn how to use your gears most effectively.

How do you calculate the number of gears on a bike?

How to Use 21 Speeds on a Bike. Common gearing on bikes include 10, 18 and 21 speeds. The number of gears a bike has is figured by multiplying the number of front chainrings by the number of gears in the rear cassette. For example, a 21-speed bike has a triple chainring in the front and seven rear cassette gears.

What gears should I use when shifting from front to rear?

While you’re in the largest front chainring you can shift the rear gears between 5 and 7 for a finer range adjustment, but always shift the front back to 2, or the middle chainring before using gears 1-4 on the rear. Never use the full range of rear gears when you’re in either the small or large front sprockets (number 1 or 3 on the front shifter).