Got this new fangled aluminium critter. It has 21 gears on a 3x7 config. I got a tad confused biking back from the LBS to work. I did take the critter for a spin on a vacant block but whence faced with some open road and a single vehicle I ended up at the other end of town before I composed myself enough to turn around and head back. So how long does it take the average Joe/Joeette to run through these gears smoothly without looking for the levers etc., blah, blah, blah?

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I'm not sure what you are confused about. Can you not figure out the shifters? Or is it just figuring out what gear to use when riding flat/downhill/uphill?

All of it. I'm pretty well a professional dumbarse. I suppose a quick ride in a vacant block, then getting back to work isn't enough. Reading the instructions though I can see that you aren't supposed to get much angle on the chain.

There's a lot to be said for a single speed Malvern Star with a brake on the pedal.

I got used to my gearing after about a week of riding. Of course I ride a double so I have less configurations than you.

I don't even look at what combinations I use anymore. I can "feel" what gear I'm in and I know when I'm going to cross the chain. The angle you are talking about is crossing the chain. From what I know it puts tension on the chain and causes it to break faster. Something about uneven wear and torque on the chain. I forgot the combinations that you aren't supposed to use to avoid crossing the chain.

Pretty much the best advice I could give is just to go and ride with it. Eventually you get used to it and you don't even look down when you shift.

I just got home. I swear I used more energy than I did on my last bike How could that be?

It's typical when getting a new rig. You were probably just a little excited and pushed yourself a little harder than usual. Give yourself a week with the new gearing and you'll be shifting like a pro. Had the same issues back in '94 when I bought one of them new fangled jobs with 21 speeds.

https://www.haagen-dazs.com/segicd.do?productId=96 <- My favorite!!!

Last I knew, HaagenDazs meant something entirely different down under. I can't post those links.

My experience with training new riders is that around 30-50 hours of riding will get them used to feeling for the levers and knowing which one does what (front/rear, up/down) without having to look down. But understanding what the gears do remains a mystery to many for much, much longer...

One of my favourites too.

Yeah, made a few adjustments to the seat as well, I think tomorrow ought to go a bit better. Can't wait dammit.

If your old Malvern Star was comfortable and fitted you, have you used a tape measure to transfer the critical measurements to the new bike -- seat height above BB spindle? Seat nose to handlebar on stem? Height of handlebars above/below seat?

Sounds like a good idea - thanks.