2 new and lost bike riders.
06-17-14, 07:43 PM
#1
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2 new and lost bike riders.
Hello folks, My GF and I are doomed to sit in office chairs all day and we're both a bit on the heavier side. We settled on bikes for exercise, and we just purchased his/her Giant Escape 2 bikes. Escape 2 (2014) | Giant Bicycles | United States Maybe we should have asked for lessons from the bike shop we purchased at, but we're having trouble with changing gears. I can't see to get google to understand our problem, so I'm coming to the pros here. The bikes were using gear 2 on the front of the bike when we tested them at the shop, and we had to switch to the first gear to tackle the hills we live around. So mid range gears to low range for the hills. We can't seem to get the bikes to go back up the middle range of gears now! I'm sure it's user error here, but when we try and switch to the front middle gear we're just greeted with loud noises and we're still on the smallest front gear.
Is there a newbie guide you'd recommend or is there a quick fix for this sort of thing? 1000 apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place for this sort of question.
Is there a newbie guide you'd recommend or is there a quick fix for this sort of thing? 1000 apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place for this sort of question.
06-17-14, 07:51 PM
#2
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I think you are simply not depressing the gear changer button far enough down. Push it further than you think and make sure you are pedaling forward. I had a similar issue with the front gears not changing until I tested pushing a bit harder and farther.
06-17-14, 08:18 PM
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You were right! Turns out that as you pull the little lever to switch gears I was hearing what sounded like the chain moving for me so I stopped. This time I just kept pulling a bit longer and it switched up for me. Thanks!
06-17-14, 08:53 PM
#5
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Welcome to BF! You've found a great newbie guide right here.
Enjoy your ride!
Enjoy your ride!
06-17-14, 09:08 PM
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Awesome! I'm a bike newbie of 5 weeks and already helping others!
06-18-14, 05:58 AM
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06-18-14, 06:22 AM
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aka Phil Jungels
What area are you in? Many folks are willing help, whenever they can. Free, easy lessons are not unavailable.
06-18-14, 09:34 AM
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2 new and lost bike riders.
Welcome to BF and the most helpful, supportive and encouraging forum!
06-18-14, 09:54 AM
#12
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The Escape series are nice bikes, I'm jealous, I only got the Escape 3 
.. Don't stress though, if its been a long time since you had a bike, it will take time to get used too, especially the trigger gear shifters (last time I had a bike, friction shifters were still the thing)... but it will become second nature before you know it.
.. Don't stress though, if its been a long time since you had a bike, it will take time to get used too, especially the trigger gear shifters (last time I had a bike, friction shifters were still the thing)... but it will become second nature before you know it.
06-18-14, 01:00 PM
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Ask you LBS about beginner group rides. You will find tons of free help and make some new friends in the process
06-18-14, 01:47 PM
#14
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Thanks for the help folks! Think we'll end up practicing in the neighborhood before going out and exploring the town. The LBS wants us to come back in a couple weeks to make sure everything is still working as it should so we'll see about some kind of newbie tips.
06-18-14, 02:02 PM
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Meetup is a good place to find local cycling groups too... if your lucky, there may be one that offers beginner rides nearby.
06-18-14, 04:17 PM
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Welcome to the forum!
my wife and I bought escape 3 bikes. Mine shifted fine but hers needed an adjustment at the LBS to get it to shift consistently. I thought she was doing something wrong but I had issues when I tried it.
good luck and safe riding,
dan
my wife and I bought escape 3 bikes. Mine shifted fine but hers needed an adjustment at the LBS to get it to shift consistently. I thought she was doing something wrong but I had issues when I tried it.
good luck and safe riding,
dan
