In a nutshell, gears are there to enable us to maintain a comfortable pedalling speed (or cycling cadence) regardless of the gradient or terrain. This is something that no one single gear is capable of achieving on its own.
The Purpose of Bike Gears
The fundamental purpose of having gears on a bicycle is to help a rider maintain an efficient and comfortable rhythm while pedalling. Imagine trying to cycle up a steep hill or sprint on a flat road using only one gear – it would be incredibly difficult and tiring. Gears provide flexibility, allowing the rider to adjust the effort required to turn the wheels.
How Gears Work (Simplified)
While complex systems are involved, the basic idea is changing the ratio between how many times you pedal and how many times the rear wheel spins. This is typically achieved by shifting the chain between different-sized sprockets on the front crankset and the rear cassette.
Different Gears for Different Situations
Based on the specific needs of the ride and the rider's desired comfortable pedalling speed, different gears are used:
- High Gears: As noted, a high gear, sometimes referred to by cyclists as a 'big gear', is optimal when descending or riding at high speeds. It allows you to cover more distance with each pedal stroke, requiring more effort but providing greater speed potential on flats or downhill.
- Low Gears: While not explicitly detailed in the reference provided, the necessity of gears to handle varied terrain implies the existence and use of low gears. These would be used for climbing hills or riding at slower speeds, reducing the effort per pedal stroke but also covering less distance per stroke.
Let's look at a simple comparison based on the concept of varying gears for different conditions:
| Gear Type | General Use Case | Effort per Pedal Stroke | Speed Potential | Common Cyclist Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Descending, High-speed flats | Higher | Higher | 'Big Gear' |
| Low | Ascending hills, Starting from a stop | Lower | Lower | - |
Ultimately, gears empower the cyclist to adapt their machine to the environment, ensuring they can keep moving efficiently and comfortably whether tackling a mountain or cruising along a flat path.
