It is surprising that many buyers who purchase a bicycle for the first time do not even suspect why they need transfers and how they are set up. There is a stereotype that the more speeds this vehicle has, the more representative and better it is. A paradox against the backdrop of such misconceptions looks like a cyclist who storms a hill in the gear that is least suitable for this, when pedaling is very difficult, and every centimeter is given with great difficulty. Although sometimes you can observe a different situation: the rider flies from the mountain and barely keeps up with the movements of the connecting rods and the system operating at low speed.
Gear assignment
In order to deal with such strange situations, you need to understand why bicycle speeds are needed and when their use is appropriate. However, for this it is worth familiarizing yourself with the term "cadence" - the optimal cadence. Cadence is divided into several types:
With a high rider, you have to pedal too often, which leads to increased buildup in the saddle and irrational use of effort. This drawback is especially acute if the cyclist does not use contact pedals or tuklipsy, allowing to fix the position of the leg in the correct position.
When the cadence is low, the pedals rotate very slowly. Significant effort is required for transmission. A logical question arises: "Why, then, the front gearshift on a bicycle if it is not used?" Moreover, when moving in this mode, the muscles become very tired, the load on the joints increases, which can lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Recommended Conditions
The optimal cadence involves the rational use of the cyclist's strength, depending on his individual characteristics, weight and the prevailing terrain. For plains, its average value is in the range from 80 to 110 revolutions per minute. By timely activating the speed switches on the bike (Shimano, Sram or their analogues), the cyclist feels comfortable, but at the same time continues to control the values of the recommended cadence on the computer. It is in this mode that a person feels comfortable and evenly spends his own strength.
Gear shift
The moment when the speed change is performed is also very important. Gear shifting must be performed one at a time and during their shift give a slight load on the pedals. This will avoid damage to the chain, tensioners and keep the bike intact , setting the speed switch which can cause beginners a lot of difficulties and even entail financial costs. Indeed, when approaching a steep climb, there is a great risk not only of serious injury, but also of bringing your iron friend home in his arms. Especially often, such troubles occur when using entry-level equipment that does not have significant safety margins. Consider the principles of its debugging and functioning.
Features of tuning the speed connection system
For beginners, adjusting the bike’s speed switch is hell. Despite the fact that this mechanism is a simple mechanical system, it is very demanding on the nuances. Therefore, before starting work, it is important to make sure that the front and rear switches are working, and that the chain forms the correct chainline between the stars. The determination of these parameters is done visually. To do this, you need to turn the bike upside down and examine its back - from feathers to the carriage assembly. The speed switch must be firmly fixed to the bracket, and the chain that is on its rollers is not contaminated and lubricated with appropriate materials to ensure its sliding and minimal wear. Draw a line between the back and front stars in your imagination. If it falls on their center, then the elements of the system are calibrated properly and the installation of spacer rings is not needed. If the observed situation is diametrically opposite, then this must be eliminated, for this it is necessary to set the speed switch on bicycles.
An indirect reason for its unsatisfactory functioning may be the cable connecting the shifters through a protective jacket. After all, if it is rusty and there is no lubricant in it, then you will experience difficulty in operating the system as a whole. A similar situation will be observed with its creases, when the passage of this thin cable will be stopped due to excessive friction.
There are three more important debugging steps that, neglecting, will prevent you from adjusting the speed change appropriately. These include the condition of the connecting cable, the position of the screws that adjust the speed switch on the bikes, and the functioning of the spring-loaded tensioner mechanism.
Protective shirt and cable
Debugging this tool plays a prominent role. A cable connects the shifters to the switches, it depends on it with what effort the gear change is performed. At the same time, they ensure the correct position of the chain on the rollers and stars. If the cable tension is excessive, then the gears can slip by several positions or change. If it is weakened, then the applied effort will become insufficient to engage the mechanism - and nothing will happen.
Adjusting screws
When adjusting the speed switch on bicycles, they provide the necessary chain position on the rollers, cassette and connecting rod stars. The top screws are usually responsible for shifting the switches up vertically, while the bottom screws are down. Adjusting their positions is done with a hex wrench. For a specific example, this will look as follows: when the chain slides over the teeth of the cassette, the mechanism must be lowered down for reliable grip. In this case, the lower roller provides tight contact between the drive elements. If traces of increased wear are noticeable on the chain, but it is worthwhile to carry out the reverse actions and weaken this interaction.
Tensioner setting
This item provides the least amount of difficulty when setting up a speed switch on bicycles. Usually its adjusting screw does not require intervention, but sometimes due to displacement to the extreme position, it can contribute to runout and accelerated wear of the upper pulley and chain. The issue is solved by twisting or fixing it with a grover.
If after implementing the proposed recommendations a positive result has not been achieved, then you need to contact qualified bicycle mechanics who can solve your problem.