Need help with gear switch - went from 2x9 bike to 3x8 bike
10-17-20, 07:00 PM
#1
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Need help with gear switch - went from 2x9 bike to 3x8 bike
Can you guys help me understand the proper way to use my new gears? I'm used to riding my MTB which is a 2x9 with a 22/36 crankset, and I'm going to a hybrid with a 3x8 and a 28/38/48 crankset. On my MTB, talking only road riding here, I always rode on 2 with the gears between 4 and 9, mostly between 5 and 7.
What should I be using on my new gears that are equivalent to what I was using on the old gears?
What should I be using on my new gears that are equivalent to what I was using on the old gears?
10-17-20, 11:39 PM
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Just ride your bike.
No one can answer your question specifically because none of us know what ratios you have on your current bike or what ratios you have on your new bike.
The good part is, you will simply do it .... if you find you are in too low a gear you will shift up.
You figured out for yourself what gears to use when riding your 2x9 MTB. You will do the same thing on your new bike.
You've got this.
No one can answer your question specifically because none of us know what ratios you have on your current bike or what ratios you have on your new bike.
The good part is, you will simply do it .... if you find you are in too low a gear you will shift up.
You figured out for yourself what gears to use when riding your 2x9 MTB. You will do the same thing on your new bike.
You've got this.
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10-18-20, 05:08 AM
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About the only important thing associated with your new drivetrain configuration is to try to avoid cross-chaining (riding in big-big or small-small). A properly set up bike should tolerate it, but it may be noisy, will accelerate wear by an unspecified amount, and can cause issues when pushing HARD on the pedals.
Apart from that, ride and listen to your body. Shift as needed.
Apart from that, ride and listen to your body. Shift as needed.
10-18-20, 05:13 AM
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Also check out a gear ratio calculator online to see the differences by the numbers. Input your cassette and chainring sizes.
That said, just ride it and figure it out.
That said, just ride it and figure it out.
10-18-20, 07:59 AM
#5
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Thank you so much everyone. I didn’t even think there could be other variables. I rode this morning and found myself on the biggest ring, staying between 4 and 7. Looking forward to fine tuning it to find my sweet spot.
10-18-20, 08:09 AM
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Think of your bike as having 3 gear ranges corresponding to your three front chainrings: one that you'll use most of the time, one for climbing hills, one for downhills or when you have a strong tailwind. Use your 8 rear cogs to adjust within those ranges.
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10-22-20, 08:54 AM
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Not sure, but 99% of the time I'm in the center chain ring up front and switch between a few of the gears in back. If I'm going uphill and need more power, I'll switch into the small chain ring. If I'm going downhill or otherwise cruising at a high speed, I'll switch to the large one. I just don't overthink it.
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10-22-20, 10:23 AM
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Everything depends on either running out of high gears and you can’t pedal fast enough to overcome it. Or never using the 22 chaining, especially on the lowest gears.
Probably the first step is to try larger chainrings, maybe a 38 or 40; and a 26 or 28. You want to find out if you even need the 48. I converted an old road bike to a flat bar and ride a 42/30. It covers nearly everything I need for how I use the bike.
The other side of this is the cassette. A wider range cassette can fill in the high and low gearing when needed. A 10/11 - 36 9 speed cassette may give you everything you need with a 2x. It may cause a change in rear derailleur, but it is an easier mod than a new crankset.
John
Probably the first step is to try larger chainrings, maybe a 38 or 40; and a 26 or 28. You want to find out if you even need the 48. I converted an old road bike to a flat bar and ride a 42/30. It covers nearly everything I need for how I use the bike.
The other side of this is the cassette. A wider range cassette can fill in the high and low gearing when needed. A 10/11 - 36 9 speed cassette may give you everything you need with a 2x. It may cause a change in rear derailleur, but it is an easier mod than a new crankset.
John
10-22-20, 10:37 AM
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It's ok to use them. I take out new riders quite a bit and they seem to stay away from the front gear shifts. For someone like you who rides more in the middle of their cassette, the front shift is more beneficial when you are coming to hilis. It gets you into a lower gear quicker and allows for more options if you need them. Get to the top and one click gets you back into your high gears.
10-22-20, 02:18 PM
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123 = small crank
3456 = middle crank
678 = big crank
Thats how I try to gear my combo to limit the noise.
3456 = middle crank
678 = big crank
Thats how I try to gear my combo to limit the noise.
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