how do you work the gears on a bike?

[joko]

i mean when do you change them? why?

thanks

[Answerprancer]

What kind of of gear system are you talking about? Sturmey Archer or derraillieur ?
I'm guessing it's the latter. In which case, you use them as and when you need them: The larger cogs at the back are lower gears (for climbing steep hills) smaller cogs are higher gears for higher speed along flat roads.
The bottom line really is that you do it by feel, use whatever gear you need for the incline in order to make your cycling experience easy and enjoyable.

[deggers316]

asking that......should you really be riding a bike ????

[jno]

in a car, you do it when you hear the engine start to strain (well, I don't, I've got an automatic). Same principle, really: you do it when you're starting to find the gradient a bit of a strain (or going downhill, when it starts to get a bit easy and you want to stop it speeding out of control). Trust your own instincts on this.

[RATTER15]

If you are peddling really fast and not getting anywhere you need to choose a higher gear, if your are really struggling to to turn the peddles to climb a hill you need to change down a gear. The gears wont make the hill go away, just make it a little easier.

[snags]

And the lever on each end of the handlebar... thems is brakes...

[Ankou]

my bike doesn't have any gears.

it does have a couple of little wheels attached to the back wheel though, so nurr with your gears and stuff.

[joko]

well im sorry im not such a know it all...at least I asked...rather than just plod along not understanding...you'd all gave somethign to say if i just went ahead ignorantly wouldnt you?

never had a bike with gears before...and havent had a bike since i was about 12...and funnily enough no-one taught me gears...so pardon the sh!t out of me for wanting to learn properly before i get on the road and be safe...
i also drive an automatic car...

thanks to everyone who answered my question properly...

[Mick-Talbot]

start with this bike joko, then you have no need to worry about the gears.
good luck with learning how to ride a bike.

http://www.jejamescyc...n-kids-bike-52776.jpg

[joko]

oh mick..you should be on tv with wit like that...no really, my sides...

[johnk]

Well said Joko!!

[Mick-Talbot]

Lighten up, I had better inform you to keep peddling whilst changing gears, it a must.

[joggerjayne]

In my experience, the faster you are going, and the steeper the hill ...

... the more likely it is that the chain will jam as you change up, throwing you off balance

... and over the front of your handlebars.

Another trip to casualty for JJ, abd more stitches.

That's how it works.

=0)

[Richard1966]

Ive just got back to cycling after a long break of about 10 years. Its making my legs hurt.

I change when my legs are feeling the strain too much

[Answerprancer]

ps. If you have a double/triple set of chainrings at the front, do yourself a favour:
DO NOT go "big/big / small small" ie. don't combine big ring on the front with big at the back and vice versa, or you'll damage things. (If you're interested in this message - pls reply and I'll explain further).