Tips To Understanding The Basics Of Mountain Bike Gears And How They Work
Remember when you didn’t think about the gears on your bike? Your bike had a bike sprocket connected to the pedals and a small sprocket connected to the back wheel an that’s all you needed. Then you got a little older and got your first 10-speed. That bike had two sprockets up front and five on the back. In all likelihood, the shifters were a pair of levers connected to your bike frame near the handlebars. As time went on the shifters moved to the handlebars themselves and then became advanced-looking dials right beside the grips. And next thing you knew, instead of a paltry ten speeds on your bike, you were riding a 27-speed mountain climbing machine!
Why all these gears? To make riding faster and easier, of course. Whatever the number of gears your bike has, if it has 2 or more then there’s a basic set-up which almost every bike employs.
First of all you have your front and rear sprockets. These, along with the chain, form the most basic components of the gearing system. To determine your gear ratio you compare the number of teeth on the front sprocket to the number of teeth on the rear sprocket.
If your front sprocket has 52 teeth, and your rear sprocket has 20 teeth, then you’re looking at a ratio of 2.6. The higher the ratio the faster the gear. Typically the gears on the front, starting from the inside, get larger as you move out. On the back wheel, though, the largest gear is typically the farthest inside and they get smaller as you move out.
The next key component for your mountain bikes gears is the derailleur, or derailer. The derailleur is what moves the bicycle chain from gear to gear. A typical shifting system employs both a front and rear derailleur. Without the derailleur you wouldn’t be able to shift gears. The derailleur consists of pulleys and the cage, which is the part which actually comes into contact with the chain. The pulleys are attached to the gear cables. There are separate cables for the front and rear derailleurs. The gear cables connect to the Gear Shifters.
There are a variety of gear shifters available today and they cover a wide price range. The gear shifter is what allows you to change gears. The first type of shifters were levers known as friction shifters. These worked simply by pulling the cables attached to the derailleurs.
Friction shifters can be troubling because the way they’re designed you can easily get caught between gears and accidentally damage your gears or even wreck. The more advanced variety of shifter is known as the index shifter.
Index shifters have specific stopping points and are calibrated to perfectly shift from gear to gear. They remedy the drawbacks of the older friction shifters. Gear shifters may be placed anywhere from the frame to the handlebar base to the grips to models which seem to be part of the brake levers.
Mountain bikes have multiple gears to make it easier for you to negotiate difficult terrain. Higher gears are there to help you speed downhill or across the flats, and lower gears are there to help you surmount those difficult inclines. Remember, it’s best to shift gears when you’re not putting a lot of stress on your pedals. Shifting when there’s heavy pressure on the pedals can damage your shifting system.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as
cycling clothing
at http://www.cyclinggearplus.com
Schwinn Stingray Krate Pea Picker Christmas morning 1972 !!! ( view in HD 720p !!)
|
|
*NOS Vintage 1970′s/80′s SHIMANO 600 rear derailleur jockey wheels* $15.70 |
|
|
NOS WIRES DERAILLEURS 50 PIECE 86 CM. CAMPAGNOLO VINTAGE NEW PERFECT $35.00 |
|
|
Vivo Sealed Parallelogram 8/9 speed rear derailleur NOS $40.00 |
|
|
Shimano SIS 5mm Derailleur Cable Housing 10 Feet New Old Stock $7.99 |
|
|
NOS Suntour Alpha A-5000 GX Front Derailleur NEW Old Stock with original box $39.95 |
|
|
NOS Shimano Derailleur Guard Mountain Bike MTB Road Bicycle Cyclocross Cross DS $9.95 |
|
|
Campagnolo parts #622 stainless rear derailleur 21cm outer casingx3 pieces (NOS) $25.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo 1995 Record front braze on derailleur (NOS) $89.00 |
|
|
NOS Vintage Benelux Cyclo Road Bike Chain Pull Rear Derailleur $79.99 |
|
|
Vintage NOS Suntour NSL Blue Anodized Front Derailleur $19.99 |
|
|
Nos Shimano XTR Differential Plate 28.6 Front Derailleur Nos Road Bike Parts $37.99 |
|
|
Suntour Sprint Clamp On Front Derailleur NOS NIB! $59.99 |
|
|
Simplex Prestige Front Derailleur Clamp NOS $0.99 |
|
|
Campagnolo #617 Rear Derailleur Cable Housing 22cm NOS $34.00 |
|
|
HURET REAR DERAILLEUR SVELTO NOS $59.99 |
|
|
RANDONNEUR COMPETITION SIMPLEX FRONT DERAILLEUR NOS $49.99 |
|
|
ShimanoDeore LX Rear Derailleur. RD-M560.NOS. $25.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo 180 C Record 3-Pivot Clamp On Front Derailleur 28.6mm NOS! $69.00 |
|
|
Soleus Front Derailleurs 28.6mm – NOS $0.99 |
|
|
Shimano Ultegra 600 rear derailleur NOS $59.00 |
|
|
SunTour Sprint Front Derailleur, Classic/Road Double 28.6 Clamp, FD- 3900 NOS $0.99 |
|
|
Suntour Model FD-1000 Bicycle Front Derailleur for 10 & 12 speed bike NOS fd1000 $15.49 |
|
|
NOS VINTAGE OLD SCHOOL SUNTOUR FRONT DERAILLEUR $5.99 |
|
|
Shimano Dura Ace EX Rear Derailleur Inner & Outer Cage & Jockey Wheels NOS! $14.00 |
|
|
NOS Shimano XT Rear Derailleur RD-M751 GS, MEDIUM CAGE, NEW IN BOX $64.18 |
|
|
Suntour Seven Rear Derailleur RD1900 — NOS — NIP $25.00 |
|
|
Suntour Spirt Front Derailleur FD1000 28.6 clamp — NOS — NIP $10.00 |
|
|
Suntour Spirt Front Derailleur FD1000 28.6 clamp — NOS — NIP $10.00 |
|
|
NOS Complete SHIMANO POSITRON FH Derailleur Rear Front, Shifters, Cables bicycle $24.95 |
|
|
CAMPAGNOLO Vintage Front Derailleur Downtube Shifters Cable NOS $34.99 |
|
|
New NOS Shimano 105 Road Bike Cycling Rear Derailleur RD-5600 Short Cage $65.00 |
|
|
New NOS Shimano Deore LX FD-M581 Mountain Bike MTB Front Derailleur 34.9 Clamp $35.00 |
|
|
New NOS Shimano SLX FD-M665 Mountain Bike MTB Front Derailleur Braze-On $40.00 |
|
|
New NOS Shimano Deore LX FD-M581 Mountain Bike MTB Front Derailleur 34.9 Clamp $35.00 |
|
|
New NOS Shimano SLX FD-M665 Mountain Bike MTB Front Derailleur Braze-On $40.00 |
|
|
NOS CAMPAGNOLO NUOVO RECORD 1972 REAR DERAILLEUR – RICHARD SACHS $153.50 |
|
|
NOS CAMPAGNOLO RECORD DERAILLEUR SET VINTAGE – RICHARD SACHS $207.50 |
|
|
NOS CAMPAGNOLO SPORTMAN REAR DERAILLEUR – RICHARD SACHS $39.00 |
|
|
NOS Shimano XTR M950 Front Derailleur top pull 28.6 NEW $80.00 |
|
|
SunTour Cyclone 7000 Front Derailleur. 28.6 mm Clamp, Classic Road Double, NOS $0.99 |
|
|
NOS Campagnolo Nuovo Record Front Derailleur, 3-hole NEW Old Stock Vintage Rare $74.95 |
|
|
Dura Ace Front Derailleur NEW OLD STOCK w/box!!! VERY COOL!!! $55.00 |
|
|
NOS SHIMANO “A” FRONT DERAILLEUR BICYCLE BIKE PARTS 64 $0.99 |
|
|
NOS 2008 Campagnolo Record QS clamp-on 32mm front derailleur double road 10spd $7.50 |
|
|
NOS 2006 Shimano Dura-Ace FD-7800 clamp-on 31.8mm front derailleur double road $0.01 |
|
|
NOS 2010 Shimano XTR FD-M985 clamp-on 34.9mm front derailleur double mountain $7.16 |
|
|
NOS 2006 Shimano Tiagra FD-R453 clamp-on 31.8/28.6mm front derailleur triple rd $0.01 |
|
|
New-Old-Stock Shimano Sora Rear Derailleur w/Short Cage $29.99 |
|
|
NOS 2010 Shimano Deore XT RD-M771 rear derailleur Super Long Cage 9sp mountain $20.25 |
|
|
Campagnolo 9/10 speed Chorus front 35mm clamp on derailleur (NOS) $59.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur gear spring bolt (NOS) $25.00 |
|
|
NOS Shimano LARK-W Rear Derailleur, vintage bicycle, muscle bike $19.99 |
|
|
NOS Suntour 4050 Derailleur / Shift Lever Set: front, rear and shifters $39.50 |
|
|
NOS Sachs Huret Eco Duopar (New Old Stuff) French Rear Derailleur $95.00 |
|
|
HURET Duopar titanium rear derailleur, nos $63.00 |
|
|
CYCLO alloy derailleur pulley, nos, Herse, Singer $24.99 |
|
|
New-Old-Stock Suntour 4050/Edge (Index/Friction Capable) Shifter/Derailleur Set $99.99 |
|
|
Campagnolo 10 Speed Chorus 10s short cage (55mm) Alloy Derailleur New Old Stock $279.90 |
|
|
Ofmega Mistral Front Derailleur 28.6mm Clamp, Classic, Italian, Road Double NOS $5.50 |
|
|
Huret Rear Derailleur Cable Adjuster NOS Schwinn Sprint $4.99 |
|
|
“NOS” “MIB” SHIMANO FRONT DERAILLEUR PART NUMBER FD-AX50 $6.95 |
|
|
“NOS” SACHS/HURET FRONT DERAILLEUR PART #4086 MADE IN FRANCE $6.95 |
|
|
“NOS” SHIMANO “ALTUS” REAR DERAILLEUR INTEGRATED 28T PART NUMBER 6-7515 $5.00 |
|
|
Simplex Super Prestige rear derailleur pulleys set (NOS) $19.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo parts # 776+777 clamp on front derailleur fixing screw and nut (NOS) $14.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo 1990 C Record rear derailleur M4 adjusting screw and spring set(NOS) $14.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE ZEUS COSMOS DERAILLEUR SHIFTERS , NOS . $49.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE SIMPLEX DERAILLEUR LEVERS , NOS $38.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE DOWNTUBE DERAILLEUR LEVERS CLAMP , NOS $19.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO REAR DERAILLEUR PULLEY , NOS $20.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO REAR DERAILLEUR CABLE SET, NOS $21.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO DERAILLEUR SHIFTER PORTE CATENA, NOS $95.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO DERAILLEUR SHIFTER PORTE CATENA, NOS $50.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO DERAILLEUR LEVER RUBBER , NOS $22.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO DERAILLEUR CABLE , NOS. $10.00 |
|
|
NOS SACHS HURET NEW SUCCESS ARIS REAR DERAILLEUR VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE 2 $299.00 |
|
|
NOS MAVIC REAR DERAILLEUR VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE 180gr $349.00 |
|
|
NOS Suntour 4050 Front Derailleur…Clamp-On (28.6 mm) $24.99 |
|
|
Campagnolo Nuovo Valentino RD rear derailleur NOS condition $19.90 |
|
|
VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO CLAMP DOWNTUBE DERAILLEUR SHIFTERS NOS $38.00 |
|
|
Vintage HURET / SCHWINN APPROVED GT 500 Krate Rear Derailleur w/ NOS Body! $25.00 |
|
|
vintage NOS campagnolo super record rear derailleur jockey wheels – complete $47.15 |
|
|
vintage NOS campagnolo super record rear derailleur jockey wheels – complete $70.72 |
|
|
vintage NOS campagnolo c-record rear derailleur jockey wheels – complete $70.72 |
|
|
vintage NOS campagnolo c-record rear derailleur jockey wheels – complete $55.01 |
|
|
VINTAGE ZEUS FRONT DERAILLEUR , NOS . $49.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE ZEUS SUPERCRONOS REAR DERAILLEUR , NOS $190.00 |
|
|
Campagnolo C Record Century finish rear derailleur NOS $1,499.00 |
|
|
NOS SACHS NEW SUCCES Vintage Front Derailleur 28.6 mm down pull $175.00 |
|
|
NOS Lepper Front Derailleur 28.6 mm down pull MTB triple double new $39.90 |
|
|
NOS SACHS Hurret Vintage Front Derailleur 28.6 mm down pull $39.99 |
|
|
NOS Campagnolo Nuovo Record Long Cage Rear Derailleur Rally $255.00 |
|
|
NOS Campy 980 Front Derailleur…Clamp-On (28.6 mm) $34.99 |
|
|
HURET SPRINT NOS BODY VARSITY KRATE REAR DERAILLEUR ROAD TOURING VINTAGE $40.00 |
|
|
Retro Gore RideOn Derailleur Cable System & Brake Cable System New/Old Stock $40.00 |
|
|
Shimano Long Derailleur Pulley Cage Plate NOS $0.99 |
|
|
Schwinn GT460 Front Derailleur Clamp NOS $0.99 |
|
|
Shimano Front Derailleur Anchor Hardware New Old Stock Lot Of 2 $4.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE 80s , OFMEGA MISTRAL REAR DERAILLEUR NOS . $75.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE NOS , TRIPLEX REAR DERAILLEUR LEVER , NEW NEVER USED $19.00 |
|
|
Shimano Shifters SL-TX30 Tourney 3×7 Pair $11.98 Shimano SL-TX30 TOURNEY 3 x 7 Speed Shifter Top Mount / Thumb Pair…. |
Tags: 27-speed mountain, affmage source=, derailleur nos, friction shifters, gear shifters, mountain bikes, older friction shifters, rear sprocket, schwinn stingray krate, the gear
