Introduction
Welcome to Cycle Maintenance Academy! I’m Mary, and in this guide, we’ll be discussing how to effectively use the gears on your bike. Gears play an essential role in cycling by allowing you to adjust your pedaling speed and effort depending on the terrain. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to switch gears for different conditions, making your ride more efficient. Let’s get started!
Why Do Bikes Have Gears?
Bikes are equipped with gears to help you maintain a consistent and comfortable pedaling rhythm, regardless of the conditions. Whether you're tackling an uphill climb, facing a headwind, or enjoying a tailwind, the gears let you adjust your pedaling effort to match the terrain. As you practice shifting gears, you'll develop an intuitive sense for which gear works best in each situation.
Understanding Gear Shifters: Left and Right Controls
On the handlebars of your bike, you'll find gear shifters near the brake levers. If your bike has both front and rear gears, there will be two shifters—one on the left for the front gears and one on the right for the rear.
Front Gears: Controlled by the left gear shifter.
Rear Gears: Controlled by the right gear shifter.
Here’s a quick guide to what each shifter does:
Front Gear Shifter Rear Gear Shifter
Controls the front cog size Controls the rear cog size
Adjusts for terrain changes Adjusts speed on flat ground
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