Shifting Basics
Bikes come in a multitude of gearing configurations from Single Speed Fixed gear ( No coasting) to multiple chainring front gears and cassette gears in the rear offering virtually unlimited combinations of ratios.
Taking advantage of the gears you have is simple once you get the hang of it.
Remember this--" Shift early and Shift Often."
That means to save your gears and chain and legs from potential damage- get used to thinking slightly ahead of the terrain you are riding on.
If you are approaching a hill , you can feel the bicycle slowing and the pedal effort increase ever so slighly. Continue on and the pedal effort starts to get heavy-- your cadence begins to slow drastically and you decide now to go to a lower gear ( Higher number of teeth in the rear). If you shift now with the power you are applying to the pedals, you will likely hear a binding sound as the chainring catches the chain under load. This creates a lot of stress on the bicycle as well as the legs.
Instead- as you approach that same hill- at the very instant you anticipate the pedal cadence to reduce, (The amount of times your legs spin the pedals is cadence)- shift to the lower gear and keep the same feeling in your legs as you had on level ground. This will reduce the binding noises you hear, reduce stress on the bike, make you a smoother rider and make your riding experience that much better.
Which is better- hard slow pedaling or Fast easy pedaling?
Well it depends. If you are after building leg muscle and want to bulk up your quads, hard slow cadence will do that. Hard pedaling has disadvantages. It places lots of stress on knees, bicycles and components. You can pedal farther without aerobically wearing out when you pedal hard and slow but you are doing little for your heart and lung capacity.
If you use a fast cadence- you can accelerate faster using the gears to get you to top speed feeling the same effort in your legs most of the time. A faster cadence will work your heart and lungs better because of the added repetitions. You will burn more calories with a fast cadence and stress your legs and bicycle less. ( Shift early shift often).
One added benefit of a fast cadence is that it keeps your joints limber. Your body compensates for the added motion over time adding additional lubrication to those joints that are repeatedly getting flexed.
If you have had knee surgery ( Ask your Doctor) -- you will probably benefit MORE by an easy pedaling fast cadence than a slow hard grind. Check with your medical professional on this for advise.
Picking a bicycle for me
Single Speed Beach Cruiser- Great for around the patch riding. Level ground slow carefree riding but limited on ability to carry heavy loads or go long distances for all but the most fit riders.
Comfort Bicycles - A lot like a beach cruiser, normally only 8 speeds or less. These have an upright riding position and can look like great commuter bicycles. 26 and 700 c tires are most popular. These bicycles are normally found on towpath trails, College Campus, around town. Not limited to short trips but not the first choice for many riders who want to go on all day long rides.
Comfort Hybrid - Normally upright seating with 26 to 700 c tires. Similar to Comfort bicycles in appearance but normally have front suspension and more gears. These bikes can be ridden for long periods over varied terrain in relative comfort. 20 and 30 mile trips on these bikes are not uncommon. This style represents the vast majority of bicycles you would see on towpath and rail trails nationwide. They are popular because they are cheap
( Normally between $300 and $800) and they offer braze on accessory locations that allow racks and lights to be added easily. They are mostly capable of semi rough rides on cinder or gravel with plenty of road capability as long as you are not in a huge hurry to go anywhere.
Comfort Cross Breed-
This bike offers a more forward riding position not as abrupt as a mountain bike but not as upright as a Comfort Hybrid.
This bike is faster than a comfort hybrid but not as fast as a road bike. Very capable of training runs, long hauls, road trips and commutes. Prices range from $300 on the low end of these bikes to around $1100 depending on weight and components. If you want to go fast have versatility to go on the towpath trails and are not willing to go full road, this might be the best compromise for you.
Cycle Cross- Cross bikes like this are designed for going fast in the woods on improved trails. They have to be light enough to carry over obstacles but durable enough to take a beating. They look similar to road bikes with drop bars but have wider stances to accommodate wider tires than road bikes. This bike is a purpose built bike and would not be a good choice for someone wanting a road bike
TT- or Time Trial Bikes- These bikes are made for only one thing- GOING FAST. They are aerodynamic and lite weight but very uncomfortable for long rides. Typically this bike would not hold up to daily commuting or the constant road irregularities. Bikes in this range are purpose built and extensive research should be the norm before buying one of these unless you happen to know exactly what you want out of your bicycle and where to get it.
Road racing Bikes vs Road Touring Bikes- Racing bikes are lighter weight and built for racing conditions. They may have limited gearing choices primarily because racers will not need slow easy pedaling gears- they will need all the speed they can get with adequate climbing ability. THese bikes are limited in the amount of accessories that can be added. Usually they do not have rear racks or lights and the ride is very laid out. Touring bikes are heavier, have a wider gearing range and have lots of placed to add accessories. These have a more sporty upright feel than a racing bike but still use drop style bars. The vast majority of road riders would benefit from this style of bike however most opt for the lighter weight racing style. Normally that choice is due to club riding or simply personal choice. The touring bike can be ridden in extreme weather and is the tool of choice for many Mountain Pass treks fully loaded with camping gear.
Mountain bikes come in a bunch of categories as well. Purpose built and ready for the rough stuff. Basic Mountain bikes generally will not hold up to hard use and are more stylish than functional. It is important to research components for MTB bikes so that the bike matches the riders intent. Jumping bikes are heavier and built tougher than trail hard tails. Full suspension bikes are for downhill riding while cross country bikes are great all around. Ask a professional before jumping in and buying any cheap bike. It will save you time and money in the long run.
