Triathlon - Line Gear Indicator?

Aloha,

I just finished my second Honolulu Tinman, but I dropped my chain three times because I was too high on my rear gearing. I've heard I can have a rear gear indicator added on my brake line to help me realize what gear I'm in. Does anyone have any experience with this problem and/or this fix? I'm a long way from "riding by feel" and I'd like to avoid losing my momentum every time I get ready to climb.

Mahalo, Lapbander.

Just an update for those of you who are reading this post. I had my lbs install a dura ace inline gear indicator (about half the length of a small golf pencil) on my rear gear/brake line. It cost me $24 to buy it and have it installed but at least now I know what gear I'm in (pretty close anyway) before I change my front gear. Like I said before, I'm a long way from "riding by feel".

I have no gear indication on my tt bike... I can find my gear two ways though...

The orientation of the bar end shifters...

or the feeling, sound and speed of the rear drivetrain at given speeds...

i.e. if I am doing less than say 26 MPH I should have no problem dropping to the bottom ring because I am not above a 11-14 on a 11-23 chainring. This is riding by feel and it will come. Now those little DA gear indicator things are nice.

I have no gear indication on my tt bike... I can find my gear two ways though...

The orientation of the bar end shifters...

or the feeling, sound and speed of the rear drivetrain at given speeds...

i.e. if I am doing less than say 26 MPH I should have no problem dropping to the bottom ring because I am not above a 11-14 on a 11-23 chainring. This is riding by feel and it will come.

Thanks for the info and the encouragement. The DA line indicator is helping as I can now tell that my remaining gear shifting problems are more likely due to my bad habit of stopping my pedaling right before I shift. It's hard to develop a feel when my shifting gears doesn't give me immediate feedback from the derailers because I am not pedaling. Anyway, I've already started working on maintaining my cadence regarless of what I am doing (shifting, squirming in my seat, standing up to pull my shorts up, shaking out a leg, etc.). As for my speed, going downhill fast still scares me and I currently keep my speed from going over 22-23mph. On flats I usually go around 15mph, but I still die on hills. I plan on being 60 lbs lighter by this time next year which should help me with my climbing and my overall average speed.