Shall I get on my Bike?

Alfietinker

thriftmonster wrote: »

One question - I've never had derailleur gears before. Is 1 the lowest gear like a car - it seems to be and also how do you use the H - L one one the other side. Sorry for the stupid question - but I'm sure there's someone out there to help.

I might not explain this very well but bear with me........

You have, say, 1-6 on one side. 1 is the lowest like on a car. Great for really steep hills but not good when you get flatter as you'll want to go faster. The H-L on the other side is probably High-Low (Mine says 1-3, and 1-6 so I'm guessing on the H-L bit. Anyway, assuming it works in the same principle as mine).

So, 1 on one side and L on the other, is the lowest gear of all. Still going with L, changing up to 6 takes you to 6th gear.

When you want to go up the gears further, change L to H (low to high, or medium if there is one, or if it's numbers like mine, go up a number. Whatever the next setting is on that side - make sense?)

Then, change the other side (numbers) back down to 1 again and you are now in 7th gear. Once you get that side to 6 again, and are in 12th gear, you need to change up again on the other side and so forth until you run out of gears.

Does that make any sense? I'm not very good at explaining! Basically you have 6 little cogs (or whatever you have) on the back wheel, and 2 or 3 larger cogs at the pedal end. You use 6 gears for each large cog. So 6 little cogs x 3 large cogs = 18 gears. It's just a case of getting used to which feels better for you, but one thing is for sure, your legs will really feel better if you use the gears.

janb5

This post is really inspiring Frogga but what happens if anything goes wrong with the bike. I havent got a Mr Frog to help or know how/what to do. I was a bit confused by the post about inner tubes etc. Does that worry you if tyres go flat etc?

two_sheds_2

... they are tricky to understand. I'll try and explain it as if you have 21 gears like me.
Your 3 gears (hi, med, low) are your basics. First, second and third = uphill, flat, downhill. The others are for fine-tuning, use them to stop that annoying grating rattling sound that gears make. Start off concentrating on your 3 gears, then when you're more confident with them, tinker around with your remaining ones.

BTW, if you start off wobbly, your gear is too high. This is dangerous, as you've found out. :eek:
Get in the habit of changing your gears to low when you stop. That way, you will always start off in a low non-wobbly gear.

I hope this is helpful and not in anyway patronising.;)

two_sheds_2

I don't have a Mr Two-Sheds to fix my bike. I've had to learn to do it myself (I resent paying someone a fiver to do something that's real easy, if messy)

The worst thing about cycling is getting a puncture. You can now buy Slime inner tubes, which are filled with a green goo that repairs any small puncture wounds within the tyre. It took me years to be convinced to buy them, but they are fantastic, not a single flat since I got them (our bike lanes are always covered in broken glass).

BTW, the best thing for getting bike grease off your hands is a spoonful of sugar and Fairy liquid (well, Ecover for me). Washing powder works too but is a bit rougher on dry skin.

It really is worth checking your bike over at least monthly for potential problems. I failed to replace my brake blocks in time, they have now ruined my wheel - a new one cost me £25, new brake blocks would've been £3. Div.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I'm a member of the AA and I am relying on them to come out if I get a flat tyre on my bike They do say it's the person not the vehicle LOL

chardonnay_2

frogga - was just telling hubby about your thread and apparently you have 3 lots of 6 gears, by keeping it a 4 medium you are actually always peddaling in 10th gear:eek: so you appear to be making things harder for yourself.

frogga

Making things harder on myself? How unlike me!:rotfl:

Although I have Mr Frog if things go wrong with the bike to fix it for me, if he was at work one morning and the tyres were flat, I also have a Tadpole who is just as handy! If the Tadpole was out , I have My Dad just down the road. If Dad was busy I have 4 BIL and if they were all unavailable I might have to sort the problem out myself ~ or take a sickie!:rotfl:

Think I've figured out the gears now thanks to the advice on here so THANKYOU contributers:T

I've dropped hints about getting panniers for Christmas so fingers crossed.

The most amazing thing about getting on my bike was I had a whole LUNG FULL of fresh air inside me once I got to work. It felt Fantastic;)

champys

BTW, the best thing for getting bike grease off your hands is a spoonful of sugar and Fairy liquid (well, Ecover for me). Washing powder works too but is a bit rougher on dry skin.

anyone any ideas on getting bike grease off your clothes? i have ruined countless trousers and still do (don't like wearing black!)

two_sheds_2

champys wrote: »

anyone any ideas on getting bike grease off your clothes? i have ruined countless trousers and still do (don't like wearing black!)

Don't get it on them in first place... use trouserclips, rubberbands or tuck into socks. Sure, it looks a bit daft, but so does chain grease all up your leg.

Jet

I bike to work every day although it's only just over a mile away from where I live. :j

The only rule I have is that if it's raining in the morning, I take the car. I don't fancy the idea of sitting in the office in soaking wet clothes all day with mascara running down my face.

If I was in your position, I would definetely be thinking about all that money I could save and what I was going to spend it on instead.