Shifting help
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Joined
·
3,113 Posts
Right-hand-side lever controls rear derailleur, left-hand-side controls front derailleur.gellie said:
Push small/lower lever towards the inside to shift to smaller cogs/rings. Push large/higher lever towards the inside to shift to larger cogs/rings. While shifting, you should also be pedaling, that's the principle of using derailleurs to shift.
Gear ratio, which is the ratio of wheel rotation per crank/pedal rotation, is proportional to the size of the engaged front ring divided by the size of the engaged rear cog. So big ring front and small cog rear = every pedal stroke moves the bike farther/faster = harder gear.
Hope that helps.
Wow, Shimano.com has a "new to cycling" but doesn't cover any of this stuff.
Thanks Orange, Is the some sort of ratio I should adhere to? I have a 9 speed and was wondering if when I'm on the large front ring can i be on any of the rear rings? also same as if I'm the small front ring can I be on any of the rear rings.I remenber reading something on about gear/chain damage...thanks
Joined
·
4,734 Posts
the idea is to not "cross gear." this entails being on the big front ring and big cog in the back, or small front ring and smallest rear cog. you can ride this way, but it will wear your components a bit faster and be a bit noisier.gellie said:
for now though, simply get comfortable shifting. once you feel brave, start worrying about ratios b/t gears and gearing choices. you can find volumes of "spirited" debate on this forum...
oh, one more note, with your shimano shifters, you can only shift "up" (highter gear) one smaller rear cog at a time (with the little lever), while your large lever will allow you to move "down" (lower/easier gear) 1-3 cogs at a time (good when you hit a sudden uphill section).
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
