In 1975, Richard Burke and Bevel Hogg founded Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin. They began by building steel-frame touring bikes aimed at a mid- to high-end market. The first mountain bike prototype rolled out in 1983, and an aluminum frame entered the market in 1985. Trek's first shifting system, the Shimano Deore XT, followed two years later. The availability of multiple gears enables you to climb and descend hills and level areas with more a precise gear ratio based on the terrain.
Step 1
Pull the gear lever on the left-hand side of the handlebars to operate the front derailleur. This allow you to change between either two or three chainrings, depending on the model. If you have an indexed gear system, the shifter should instantly change from one gear to another. If you're using an STI road shifter, hold the lever down a moment after shifting for smoother transition.
Step 2
Select the smallest chainring for going uphill and the largest for downhill runs. Employ the middle chainring for level terrain. If you only have two chainrings, engage the smaller one for flat terrain.
Step 3
Pull the gear lever on the right-hand side of the handlebars to operate the rear derailleur system, which moves the chain along the cogs of the rear cassette. Strive for between 80 and 100 revolutions of the pedals per minute for optimum performance.
Step 4
Select the smaller cogs for more resistance when navigating downhill or flatter terrain. Select the larger cogs for less resistance when ascending steep terrain.
Step 5
Avoid combining the gears into "cross-over gears." This occurs when you select small chainrings with small cogs, or large chainrings with large cogs. This can accelerate the deterioration of the drivetrain.
Step 6
Shift while pedaling fast and decreasing pressure on the pedals. This will allow for the smoothest transition of the derailleur system.
Step 7
Find the right gear ahead of arriving at the base of a hill, as shifting on a hill can be difficult due to slower pedal speed and increased pedal pressure. If you are unsure, approach the hill in a gear that is too low. The faster pedal speed will make it easier to adjust gears on the hill.
Tips and Warnings
- Experiment with different combinations of chainrings and cogs to find the optimal settings for your terrain and abilities. Trek mountain bikes can have up to 30 gear combinations.
Member Comments