How to Set Up Mountain Bike Gears

When you purchase a new mountain bike, you may notice the extensive number of gears, as many as 21. Starring down at these gears can be dumbfounding, especially when thinking about when each gear is suppose to be used. With experience, though, you will be able to hop onto that 21-speed bike and not think twice about the purpose of the gears.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Look at the right side of your bike handle and find the gear shifter, which is used to adjust the bike's front gears. These gears change the intensity of the bike. Easy enables you to pedal as fast as you want with almost no resistance. Medium provides an average amount of resistance and is good for almost any location. Third gear provides significant resistance to your pedals, which allows you to go faster but will force you to expel more energy while doing so.

Step 2

Look at the left side of the handle bar and find another gear shifter, which controls the back wheel and can switch among seven gears. These changes are subtle and often times you may not feel a difference. These gears will be used to slightly change the resistance for when you are peddling up or down hills, and when biking over different types of surfaces, such as grass or concrete.

Step 3

Begin by setting the right gear shifter to the second setting and the left gear shifter to the lowest setting. This will provide a slight resistance in the pedals, but still be easy enough to pedal without your becoming worn out. Keep the left gear shifter on low until you become used to it and think you can advance to a higher level of pedal resistance.

Step 4

Adjust the left side gear shifter to a higher setting when you move from asphalt or concrete onto grass or dirt srufaces. Your tires will encounter more resistance, which means you will have to power the wheels more. Increasing the left side gears increases the resistance and allows you to bike through the grass or dirt without too much of an increase in resistance.

Step 5

Obtain top speeds by switching the right gear shifter to three. This will put the maximum amount of resistance onto your pedals. This is good for speeding up your bike and for riding uphill. Pedaling uphill with little resistance will not provide enough power, which is why many riders stand on their pedals while they bike up the hill. Standing on the pedals increases the power and momentum until reaching the crest of the hill.

Article Written By Greyson Ferguson

Greyson Ferguson is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in film and television. He currently resides in Lansing, Michigan where he works on independent film projects and writes for numerous publications. Ferguson primarily focuses on computer and electronic articles. Greyson produces TheDailyUpbeat.com, focusing on only upbeat news stories with daily updates.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...