New cyclist - please guide....

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Hi,

I have just taken up cycling. Live in India.

Interested in commuting and a little of simple non-challenging off-paved-road biking.

I have just (yesterday) purchased an ATB - has 21 gears. A bit too many for me - but I wanted the quick release feature for storing in my small car.

Question is: There are 3 gear wheels in the front and 7 in the rear.

Can you advice me - for commuting to work - normal roads:
1. On what gears (front/rear) would you start with.
2. If you are approaching a low-gradient steep how soon would you shift gears to and to which ones (front/rear)
3. When you going down hill (again low gradient) - when would you again shift and to what gears.

Few other questions:
1. Should back pedalling not be done? Single gear cycles - you can back pedal - and there is no effect on the cycle's movement.
2. Does the cycle make a "krrrrr-krrrrr-krrrrr" sound as you pedal (and this stops when you cruise and not peddaling). Is this normal - or something is wrong with the gear settings.

THANKS ! Appreciate your time !

Rajesh

Jello Rajesh, welcome to the forums.
You may want to ask your gearing questions on the main cycling board, if you don't get any replies here. As for your other questions, here are my two cents..
1. Should back pedalling not be done?
If you're talking about a regular bike, I can't see why you couldn't backpedal. I do it occasionally, and it has no effect on the bike's forward momentum.
2. Does the cycle make a "krrrrr-krrrrr-krrrrr" sound as you pedal (and this stops when you cruise and not peddaling).
It sounds to me like your derailleurs need adjusting. Simply put, the derailleur is the moveable bit by the bike chain that moves your chain between gears as you shift. Your bike will have a front derailleur and a back deraileur. If they aren't tuned properly, your chain will rub gainst one of the derailleurs. To test this, run the bike over so it's resting on it's seat and handlebars, then crank the pedals and locate the course of the noise. It'll be the chain rubbing against a metal part of a derailleur. This is easily fixable if you know how to do it, but learning how to do it is a little more complicated than I can type out. I suggest you take your bike to your local bike shop and have them show you in person how to adjust your derailleur.
Good luck,
blackbird

Hi blackbird - thanks for replying.

What would be the "main" forum? The Bike Cafe? I am asking this bcos am new to this forums.

I'll take your advice and show at a local bike shop. Since I am not experienced - it may not be a good idea to tamper with it

Thanks. Rajesh

Can you advice me - for commuting to work - normal roads:
1. On what gears (front/rear) would you start with. Find a comfortable spin (pedal revolutions per minute) that does not tax your legs too much and try to keep in the gear that allows you to keep spinning2. If you are approaching a low-gradient steep how soon would you shift gears to and to which ones (front/rear)You will learn to shift before increasing the pressure/force on your pedals3. When you going down hill (again low gradient) - when would you again shift and to what gears.Once more focus on your spin, but try not to get yourself going to fast - shift up as you feel the rev/min increasing
Few other questions: blackbird05 has got you covered[/QUOTE]]