Nite riding and shifting gears..
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Nite riding and shifting gears..
A little while back, I commented about a bike light I found...Thought it a great find...Planet Bike's reflecterized ankle braclet with a built in light...
Well...It occured to me..One thing I don't like about night riding is not seeing your chains position in the cogset/chainring.....So Wal La... Wrap this Bike Planet ankle strap about the base of your seat tube..Should be enough light to see your cassette chain position at least...Maybe put in a small safety pin to secure it 100 % to the tube.
Is everyone's sense of where your gearing is, that you don't worry about chain stretch positions at night...? I have exclusively STI shifting on my bikes.
Well...It occured to me..One thing I don't like about night riding is not seeing your chains position in the cogset/chainring.....So Wal La... Wrap this Bike Planet ankle strap about the base of your seat tube..Should be enough light to see your cassette chain position at least...Maybe put in a small safety pin to secure it 100 % to the tube.
Is everyone's sense of where your gearing is, that you don't worry about chain stretch positions at night...? I have exclusively STI shifting on my bikes.
#2
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 15,061
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
With DT levers you can feel what gear you are in.
When I'm riding with Ergolevers I sometimes fnd that I have been in a crossover gear and haven't noticed, because of the traffic or some tricky junction.
When I'm riding with Ergolevers I sometimes fnd that I have been in a crossover gear and haven't noticed, because of the traffic or some tricky junction.
#4
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I may be confused on this topic. If so, I apologize for my reply up front.
I tell what gear I am in by the amount of effort I am putting forth in the pedal strokes.
If the stoke is too hard for the terrain, I change it. I do not see the purpose of needing to see what gear you are in in order to ride a night.
Catrike Road #116
"Cats just don't feel safe on a moving bicycle, no matter how much duct tape you use"--Author unknown
I tell what gear I am in by the amount of effort I am putting forth in the pedal strokes.
If the stoke is too hard for the terrain, I change it. I do not see the purpose of needing to see what gear you are in in order to ride a night.
Catrike Road #116
"Cats just don't feel safe on a moving bicycle, no matter how much duct tape you use"--Author unknown
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The jest of the topic...Not unbeknownest to you...Riding with your gears cross over between large chain ring, large cog..Seeing your gears does not help to ward off this problem...?
#6
Site *****
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 503
Bikes: 1960 Malvern Star
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wonder if Microsoft could come up with something like Bike Sim 2005 to fill the gap here?
#7
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I can usually tell by speed and how fast i'm pedaling what gears I'm in so I don't have to keep looking down.
#8
Senior Member
I have a helmet mounted light so that if I need to look down I can easily see the gears. I know many floks hate this setup but it works for me.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
With triples, you can replicate gear ratios with several cog combos. Some of these are usable and some are no-nos due to the crossover chainline which places a lot of lateral stress and wear on the chain and cogs.
If your mind has other things to worry about, you can start in a low gear in the small cog and just run along the rear cassette being in the right gear for your speed and strength, but not for your chainline.
If your mind has other things to worry about, you can start in a low gear in the small cog and just run along the rear cassette being in the right gear for your speed and strength, but not for your chainline.
#10
Meow!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 6,025
Bikes: Trek 2100 Road Bike, Full DA10, Cervelo P2K TT bike, Full DA10, Giant Boulder Steel Commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can hear in my double when I am crosschaining the gears... when that happens big ring. No need to know exact gear unless I am training or racing.
__________________
Just your average club rider... :)
Just your average club rider... :)
#11
hello
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 18,602
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 162 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
13 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
I can usually tell by speed and how fast i'm pedaling what gears I'm in so I don't have to keep looking down.

#12
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
14 Posts
You shouldn't need to know what gear you're in period (flightdeck pfft). If you're crosschaining you'll know it. If you're not, then you got nothing to worry about.
#13
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by The Fixer
So can most, but that's not the point of this thread... 

It's a very effective shift light. Plus my own headlight mod.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 1,559
Bikes: '06 Bianchi Pista; '57 Maclean; '10 Scott CR1 Pro; 2005 Trek 2000 Tandem; '09 Comotion Macchiato Tandem; 199? Novara Road; '17 Circe Helios e-tandem
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 32 Times
in
23 Posts
I'm glad I don't ride with you at nite if you keep looking down to see what gear you are in

#15
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
14 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
That's so true.. Ok, here's my contribution.
It's a very effective shift light. Plus my own headlight mod.
It's a very effective shift light. Plus my own headlight mod.
#17
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
I hope you like maglites in your rear spokes
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Forest Park Il
Posts: 876
Bikes: Yeah Dahon Bike Friday Panasonic Dyno
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been riding fixed wheel ,Shiftless and i have to keep pedaling.
#19
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,011
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3160 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
252 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclezealot
A little while back, I commented about a bike light I found...Thought it a great find...Planet Bike's reflecterized ankle braclet with a built in light...
Well...It occured to me..One thing I don't like about night riding is not seeing your chains position in the cogset/chainring.....So Wal La... Wrap this Bike Planet ankle strap about the base of your seat tube..Should be enough light to see your cassette chain position at least...Maybe put in a small safety pin to secure it 100 % to the tube.
Is everyone's sense of where your gearing is, that you don't worry about chain stretch positions at night...? I have exclusively STI shifting on my bikes.
Well...It occured to me..One thing I don't like about night riding is not seeing your chains position in the cogset/chainring.....So Wal La... Wrap this Bike Planet ankle strap about the base of your seat tube..Should be enough light to see your cassette chain position at least...Maybe put in a small safety pin to secure it 100 % to the tube.
Is everyone's sense of where your gearing is, that you don't worry about chain stretch positions at night...? I have exclusively STI shifting on my bikes.
I rarely ever look at my chain position day or night. I'm a little confused why someone would feel that it is necessary.
That said, I do have a small light (it's a common white "blinkie" set on the steady setting) which I set up facing me when I ride at night so I can see where my bottle cages are.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Forest Park Il
Posts: 876
Bikes: Yeah Dahon Bike Friday Panasonic Dyno
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If your chain is not on the cog you will definitely hear it and probably feel it.
#22
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
14 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
That's not just regular tape, that's scotch magic tape.
#23
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,011
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3160 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
252 Posts
Originally Posted by james Haury
If your chain is not on the cog you will definitely hear it and probably feel it.
The only time I might take a glance down there is if I'm shifting and nothing is happening - I look, and realize that I'm at one end of my gears or the other.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by james Haury
If your chain is not on the cog you will definitely hear it and probably feel it.
Riding in traffic...Don't think I am alone is not knowing at all times your gear position...Some do it more than others...I catch myself from time to time, but not routinely....Guess this is a cyclists closest encounter to what motorists say, when they drive 60 miles on the freeway , are so bored- they can't remember a mile of it, they were so deep into concentration..
...Not that I am ever bored while out on the bike. I think most cyclists visually check out their gearing from time to time...Does not take but a nano second.
I think Slvoid solution is one possibility...But probably not require that much lite..Plus, might not this help you in being seen from the side, against those motorists who run red lights.
#25
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,011
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3160 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
252 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclezealot
If your chain is stretched to the maximum extent, yes - you hear a noise...But one gear in , you don't... But that is still a stretched position..I was told, always stay two gears in from the outermost cog position...When in the biggest chainring...
All I've ever been told is that if you're cycling, and there's a grinding noise caused by cross-chaining, you shouldn't ride in that gear for very long . . . but a little while won't hurt.