In 1817, Baron von Drais invented the "walking machine," which developed into the modern-day bicycle over the past two centuries. Today's bicycles are lightweight and have gears to improve speed. Gears are typically adjusted from the handlebars and can be switched to a high gear or low gear. Higher gears offer more pedal resistance but allow you to go faster. Lower gears have a lower resistance, which allows you to pedal faster, but the bicycle will move slower. Learn how to determine the gear size in cycling to determine whether you are at a higher or lower gear.
Step 1
Determine how many total gears your bicycle has. To do this, you must count the number of sprockets connected to the pedals and to the back wheel. Sprockets are the toothed disks that the chain passes over. Multiply the number of sprockets in the front times the number of sprockets in the back to determine the total gears. For example, if you have three spockets in the front and seven in the back, your bicycle is a 21 speed, or has 21 gears.
Step 2
Look at the front sprocket and see which one the chain is on. Count from the sprocket closest to the pedal. The smallest sprocket is first, the next largest sprocket away from the pedal will be the second sprocket and so on.
Step 3
Check the rear wheel to see which sprocket the chain is on. The rear sprockets count opposite from the front sprockets. The largest sprocket is closets to the wheel and will be first; the smallest sprocket will have the highest number.
Step 4
Multiply the two sprockets that your chain is on. This number is the gear that your bike is in.
Tips and Warnings
- You may also multiply the number on your handlebar shifters to determine which gear you are in. Take your bicycle to a repair shop if the shifters do not accurately display your proper gear.
- Use extreme caution when riding your bike in traffic. Follow all traffic rules that apply.
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