Mikie said:HI,
I just can't understand the manual because I don't recognize that
version of English. I need help in learning how to use the shifters. I
understand the theory, I just have questions so I don't damage the
shifters through stupidity.
My 21 speed Schwinn - High Timber, has two shifters on the
handlebars, one on each side, immediately next to the rubber grips. In
fact they look as if they are actually extensions of the grips;they
roll around the handlebar, forward or backwards to change gears.
QUESTION
1: To change gears, does it matter which I turn FIRST - the one on the
right (1 through 7), OR, the one on the left, (1 through 3).?
2: Until I fully understand the different combos, may I simply use
trial and error, or must I go directly to the gear intended. Would I
wear the gears unnecessarily if I just used all of them to find the
gear I'm looking for?
3: Does a procedure change according to whether i'm down shifting or up
shifting?
4: Should I continue to pedal while doing so or do I let up
momentarily or simply slow up pedaling?
Going to start Night School to take up, "Reading Manuals in Strange
Languages -101"
A great big heap of , 'Thank Yous'!
Mike
Picture Rocks, AZ
The Sheldon Brown link is a good start.
1. Not really. The left shifter changes the front sprocket, which is a
much bigger change than the rear, both up and down. When you change the
front, you usually want to change the back in the other direction one or
two gears to even out the effort. You change the front less often than
you change the back, because the changes in effort required to pedal the
bike usually don't come in big chunks.
2. Trial and error is where it's at. Ride your bike enough miles and
you'll find your favorite combinations. As you get stronger, you'll
spend more time on the big front ring and the small rear ones. Avoid the
big-big and small-small combinations.
3. Not really, but shifting to a larger cog, especially the front,
requires more gentle pedaling than shifting to smaller. Don't change
both at once. Let the chain settle in the back or front before changing
the other. It only takes a second or two.
4. Ease up but keep pedaling. If you don't change before you get to a
steep hill, you'll find that the chain either won't shift, or will CHUNK
into the next gear. The rear is better at shifting under a load, and
shifting "up" to a harder gear on the rear is easier. Shifting the front
to a bigger ring while you're pushing hard is the hardest change. Never
change the front unless you lighten up on the pressure. (And, change the
front BEFORE you need to hammer, or you won't get it changed in time.)
Again, trial and error will help you learn to avoid the tough shifts.
--
Lynn Wallace http://www.xmission.com/~lawall
I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the
trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view,
the most insidious of traitors."
George H.W. Bush, April 16, 1999,
