The gears are essential equipment on any bicycle because they control speed and resistance. Bikes come in varying degrees and styles. The features on a cycle, such as the gear system, can be the defining factor for a rider. Some have a fixed gear, or just one speed, and others come with more gears configurations then the average biker will ever use. Understanding gear basics will help you select a bike that fits your lifestyle and fitness needs.
Definition
Gearing, or gear ratio, is how fast your legs turn compared to the wheel rotation. In other words, how many times you turn the pedals to make the wheels move at a particular speed. Many modern bikes come with a combination of gears, known as the cassette. The gear cassette, in conjunction with other components, helps to define the potential speed of the bike and determine how hard you push on the pedals to move.
Gearing Systems
Bikes have two basic gearing formats, single or multiple. A single, or fixed, system has two gears, one near the pedals and one on the hub of the rear wheel. There is no variance in gear ratio on a single speed bike. Multiple systems have gear cassettes on the back wheel and may have more than one gear near the pedals. If you are unsure which system your bike has, check the number of gears. If you see more than one on the rear wheel hub, it is a multiple speed bike.
Mechanism of Gears
The chain on your bike wraps around gears in two places: at the pedals and the rear wheel hub. As you push the pedals, you move the front gear and turn the chain. This action rotates the rear wheel. The propulsion of the rear wheel moves the bike. Small gears require more effort to turn. This creates resistance when pedaling. The shifter system on a bike uses a derailer the change the location of the chain. In other words, move it to another gear to change the pedal resistance. The change in resistance affects how hard you must work to maintain the movement of the bike.
Advantages
Most multiple gear bikes have more speeds then you need when riding. The key to finding the right bicycle is how you use it. Cyclists that want to ride long distances or cover multiple terrains will look for a vehicle with many speeds. The casual rider can work with a fixed or multiple gear system. The advantage of multiple speed variations is the ability to alter pedal resistance. You may have one speed that works for most situations, but change when tackling high winds or steep inclines.
Member Comments