For example, 53×19 is the same gear as 39×14.Some reduction of the lower gearing is possible, but only as low as a 38t inner chainring, so if it’s low gears you’re after, a standard double is not the best way to go. In this way, the Apex set-up aims to practically negate the need for a triple — a broader range of gears, that’s lighter and better looking.A high gear, sometimes referred to by cyclists as a ‘big gear’, is optimal when descending or riding at high speeds. Lower numbers are the low gears, and higher numbers are the high gears. To slow down your cadence, choose a larger gear such as numbers one, two or three. Hub gears are generally tough and require very little maintenance so they’re great for everyday commuter bikes, especially as most allow you to change gear without pedalling too — handy at traffic lights. Learn the sound your gears make when all is working well, and tune your ears to notice chain chatter and other metal-on-metal noises when things aren't perfectly aligned. Old-fashioned advice, which is still relevant, is to avoid ‘crossing the chain’. The primary benefit is consistency. Likewise, it may be inadvisable to use certain gear combinations because they can put the chain at an extreme angle.Fixies are even more rudimentary, with the rear cog ‘fixed’ in place, meaning if the bike is moving, the drivetrain moves, so you always have to pedal.Already have an account with us? Thus a 11-28t cassette would denote a cassette with a smallest 11-tooth and largest 28-tooth sprocket.However, the main drawback is weight. In this context efficiency is concerned with how much power is delivered to the wheel compared with how much power is put into the pedals. It’s currently a highly popular choice as the reduction in gearing at the lower end is enough for most to tackle even Alpine climbs, yet there is not a huge reduction of the top gear, still allowing fast descending.To put this into perspective, in the days of five or six-speed cassettes, a range of 12-25 teeth could only be achieved by having sizeable gaps between sprocket sizes. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferencesThe majority of bikes on the market today have external drivetrains, which have been refined into simple, lightweight and efficient systems.Imagine trying to pedal up a steep hill in a high gear.
Just like a car, bicycles benefit from a low gear to accelerate from a standstill, or to climb a steep hill, and at the other end of the scale a high gear helps you to achieve high speeds without over-revving.There’s no need to struggle these days because there are heaps of gearing options available so riders of all abilities can get the most from their pedalling.
Well, in a nutshell, gears are there to enable us to maintain a comfortable pedalling speed (or cadence) regardless of the gradient or terrain — something that no one single gear is capable of.The reality, on a multi-geared set-up, particularly when there are as many as 33 on offer, is that ‘overlapping’ gears are unavoidable. In fact, they’re often quite sensitive to shifting under load, so it helps to ‘unload’ your cranks slightly when shifting.There’s also no doubt that derailleurs are relatively exposed and susceptible to damage. Listen to your bike. If you have multiple chainrings, then it’s best to avoid being in a small-small or large-large sprocket-chainring combination.Changing your gears based on the terrain and conditions to stay broadly in that band lets you move forward more efficiently.Thanks! However to step sequentially through the gear ratios requires a simultaneous front and rear shift on every other gear change.Advantages of this arrangement include:It is sometimes possible to combine a hub gear with deraileur gears.