Bicycle Mechanics - Which gears not to use?

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L-Dawg
03-15-04, 04:14 AM
I'm a newbie searchin for answers from all over.
I was told by the bicycle-shop manager (young guy) that I'm not supposed to use the "extreme angles" (ex: most inside front clog combined with the most outside back clog). Is this true? If so, why do they even make that a possibility?
I'm still trying to figure out when I'm supposed to use what gear combinations. I hope I can just use what feels most comfortable, but I'm afraid it won't be what's most efficient. help?

Feltup
03-15-04, 06:55 AM
He is right. If you are on the granny ring(smallest) ring you should stay away from the smallest cogs(back set of gears). Same goes for the largest chainring, don't use the biggest cogs.

One of the best bike info sites on the

web.http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html
RainmanP
03-15-04, 07:14 AM
I seem to remember reading to avoid the two smallest cogs when on the small ring and the two largest cogs when on the big ring. This mainly refers to continuous riding. Momentary "violations" are acceptable. For instance, if you are nearing the top of a big-ring grade and just need a little lower gear for a few seconds to get over the top it is perfectly OK to shift to the second largest and even largest cog for those few seconds rather than complicating things by shifting to the small ring then having to shift a few rear cogs then have to turn around and undo it all to get back on the big ring for the descent.