All really modern bikes are equipped with a large number of speeds, which greatly simplify the process of riding. Different gear ratios allow you to change the speed depending on the terrain, traffic congestion or banal rider fatigue. But for all this to be of practical use, you need to understand how to change gears on a bicycle, and do it right.
Road bikes
On old touring and road bikes, even before the invention of index switching technology, it was carried out using conventional levers tightly fixed to the lower tube of the frame - friction shafts and, to be honest, required a lot of experience for clear and responsive work. Modern city bicycles are also found with one gear, they became especially fashionable several years ago and even acquired their own name - Single Speed.
Road bikes
The city also includes full-fledged road bicycles - light, mobile, with wheels 700x19-35s and a very high gear ratio, they are designed to ride on prepared surfaces and are capable of developing quite high speed.
On a true road bike, switching gears, like on bikes with triggers, will not work. The fact is that sports road racing vehicles are equipped not with conventional shifters, but with monoblocks, often called pistols. Here, switching occurs using the brake lever, which, in addition to direct pressure, can also deviate into the inside of the steering wheel. Thus, the transfer on the cassette is reduced. You can raise it with a separate lever under the thumb.
Mountain bikes
Really universal bikes are cross-country bikes. It is convenient to ride them and around the city, and they are not afraid of paving stones, and you can also ride in the countryside outside the city. On QC bicycles, unlike city ones, gears are set a little more. On a budget cross-country bike, there are at least 21 gears (3 in the front and 7 in the rear), and on advanced models about 30. In everyday life, only the characteristic of the cassette is often used to indicate the number of speeds. So, a bike with a set of 3/10 can be called a 10 speed bike.
On hardtail there is a fairly large number of different gear ratios for a comfortable ride both in the city and in rough terrain, and thanks to the lack of shock absorbers at the rear, almost all of the pedaling energy is directed to accelerate the bike.
On the QC, bikes are set either with trigger sticks or gripshifts (for very cheap models, most often Chinese or children's ones). The former are much more convenient and resilient, while covering a larger transmission range (7-12), in contrast to influenza (8 maximum).
Professional tales
The flagships of the bicycle industry have a wide variety of transmissions. On mountain models, the set most often has one star in the front and 11-12 in the back, some elements are made of carbon and titanium. Narrowly targeted bikes for street, BMX, trial and the like have no speeds at all, and a driver for 8-10 teeth is usually installed at the back.
In addition to standard mechanical transmissions, there are electronic speed switches. They are controlled automatically or by the same shifter, but so far they are not very popular due to the enormous price and complicated maintenance. A cable for shifting gears on bicycles with such a transmission is not used.
It is worth noting that each type of bicycle has its own gear ratios that help solve its particular problems. Therefore, installing road rods on a bicycle for a derth will not be a good idea.
With the types of bicycles and their shift systems sorted out. And how do gearshifts on a bicycle switch from a technical point of view?
The principle of operation of the switching system
Since the release of the first index cuffs, the principle of their work has not changed in any way. Of course, modern transmissions are much clearer and more responsive, but, nevertheless, these are the same indices and the same cable. The speed switch on a bicycle on the handlebars is called a shifter. She controls the rear derailleur, and he, directly, moves the chain on the stars. Such a system is called mechanical and strongly depends not only on the switch and shifter, but also on the quality of the cable that connects these two elements.
There are two types of rope on a bicycle: for shifting gears and braking. The speed and clarity of the caliper operation directly depend on the quality of the first. A brake cable may not be at all, because in older models of bikes it is reasonably replaced by hydraulic lines.
Among all manufacturers, Shimano speed switches are some of the most famous and perfect parts. Only Sram can compete with them. The Japanese pay enough attention to both the initial groups and professional sets of equipment that go well with cool racing frames.
Planetary systems
In addition to the familiar external switches (in the form of a dangling foot on the rear wheel), there is another fairly common type of gearbox - planetary bushings. The mechanism of operation is such that the gear system with a set of different gear ratios is located in the rear hub housing. This design is very well protected from dirt and moisture, which allows it to work for many years, even without special maintenance.
A clickbox is used as a speed switch on the Shimano Inter 3 and most Sram bushings. If you look closely, on the right side of the frame, on the axis of the rear wheel, you can notice the liner from the cable or the plastic box on the nut - this is clickbox. He controls the gears inside, and he controls the gear. The steering wheel speed switch on a bicycle with a planetary wheel is visually no different from a grizzhift, but it has a set of other indices and therefore is not compatible with conventional transmissions.
On some bushings, for example, Sasch S7 and in general all versions of those bushings, to switch it was necessary to act like this:
- While typing / slowing down, stop pedaling.
- Switch speed on the shifter.
- Start pedaling in a new gear.
If you do not quit rotation, then the transmission will not change. Shimano Inter and Sturmey Archer do not.
Malfunctions
Failures in the transmission occur many times more often than with other components, and sometimes during the shift a number of problems can arise:
- The chain tries to grab but jumps back.
- The rear gearshift on the bicycle does not respond at all to the position of the shifter lever.
- The index on the shifter does not match the gear.
- The chain is sagging and falling.
All of the above symptoms may indicate a malfunction of the switch or shifter, but in some cases this can be triggered by a simple breakage of the cable. Often incorrect switching results in damage or resetting of the dealership settings. You can fix this in a matter of seconds yourself, even without tools, simply by unscrewing the cable settings on the shifter or near the switch for several revolutions. In addition, the switches often take on all side impacts and dutifully tolerate your careless attitude towards the choice of speeds.
What you should not do
For high-quality switching on low and mid-price transmissions, it is recommended not to do the following:
- Switch speeds under load.
- Switch several speeds at a time.
- Start on a gear that is not fully shifted.
- If the chain is pulled under the carriage or the sleeve, do not try to pull it out by putting more pressure on the pedals.
Now let's finally figure out how to switch speeds on a bicycle in different situations. In addition, we will learn some of the features and secrets of managing switches, as well as tricks to care for the transmission.
We switch the speed on the bike correctly
If you constantly observe at least some of the rules for shifting gears on a bicycle, you can significantly extend the life of the transmission. Many, without hesitation, pull the levers on the shifters. It is strongly discouraged to do this, since each component of the drive suffers greatly.
Here are some tips for properly and safely using all the speeds of your bike:
- Shift gears while the bike is not under load. To do this, it is only worthwhile to accelerate as much as possible regardless of the selected gear and at the peak moment click the shifter.
- If you stopped, at the beginning of the movement you found that the gear is too high and it is impossible to start from it, it is better to switch it “on weight” by lifting the rear wheel and slowing down the pedals.
- Avoid severely skewed chain, say, 3/2 or 1/9 sets. This knocks the stars down a lot and can cause the switch to bend.
- Do not pull the levers with all their strength, unless you have expensive triggers. Although there is automatic equipment on the old shifters, it still has no limiters, so there may be problems with the rear derailleur on the bicycle.
- Avoid clogging the transmission with branches and grass.
- If the chain suddenly begins to slip even on flat sections of the road - contact the workshop to measure the degree of wear.
In general, if speed and terrain allow, try to think one step ahead, when to stick the speed higher, and after how much to slow down.
What speeds to use?
Many beginner riders are also interested in what speeds on the bike should be used more often, and which should not be touched at all. Unfortunately, it is impossible to answer this question precisely, since all transmissions and people are different. Someone likes fast and aggressive riding, someone more measured, away from dirt and extreme sports, and, accordingly, the sets of speeds used will be completely different.
One thing is for sure: in 80% of cases, ordinary users practically do not use the left shifter, but simply put the second gear and eat until the star is worn out. Indeed, the 2 / * set (where * is any transmission of the cartridge) is very popular because it contains most of the most used gear ratios, but it is worth using other speeds to extend the life of the transmission
Improving the quality of switching
Nothing will provide a clear and smooth shifting of speeds on a bicycle, like proper care of the transmission. By periodically analyzing the condition of components, most problems can be avoided, thereby extending the life of the components.
The easiest service option is to visit the bike workshop. Carry out at least preventive maintenance or, if there is a desire and means, seasonal maintenance. However, you can take care of spare parts at home, without having the experience.
In fact, all transmission maintenance consists of timely replacement of the cable, lubrication and cleaning of the chain, and updating the settings. For bicycle chains, there are many different cleaning products and special sinks. So you can wash and lubricate the components without even contaminating your hands. It is possible to clean the rear gearshift on a bicycle without removing it with a compressor and brake cleaner, and a very lazy person will not find the manual for replacing the cable.
Of course, in this way it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve an ideal and accurate switch to Turney or cheap MicroShift, but it’s easy to slightly improve the work.