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.

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.