Barry Baldwin has spent time as a machine operator in the mail room at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and as a bus operator with the New York City transit authority. Now retired, Barry Baldwin enjoys staying active by walking and riding his 10-speed bike.
People riding a multi-gear bike for the first time may be confused regarding when and why to change speeds. While there are a variety of multi-gear bike models and many in-depth explanations for optimizing speed, there are a few basic pointers riders can look to in order to gain a better understanding of gears. First, it can be helpful to understand how gears are referred to. A 10-speed bike has 10 gears, likely with a single chain-ring setup and a 10-speed rear cassette. A triple chain-ring with a 10-speed rear cassette, meanwhile, would be referred to as a 30-speed bicycle. Gears exist to help riders maintain a consistent, comfortable speed, regardless of changes that occur in the gradient or terrain they are riding on. If a cyclist finds themselves facing a steep decline or otherwise traveling at very high speeds, they should shift up to a higher gear, which provides more resistance. As one might assume, climbing a hill or otherwise struggling to gain momentum can be mitigated by shifting to a lower gear, which makes it easier to pedal. It should be made clear that the number of gears a bike has does not correspond to how fast a bike can go. Similarly, shifting gears will not automatically allow a rider to travel at their ideal speed. Proper technique and physical conditioning are far more important in this regard, with gears serving to optimize the cycling experience. In other words, an individual rider will have the same limitations on a multi-gear bike as they would on a comparable fixed-gear bike, the difference amounting to a matter of efficiency.
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AuthorRetired NYC Transit Authority Bus Operator Barry Baldwin. ArchivesCategories |