page 35 • DENAGO
b. Shifting the Rear Derailleur
The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter (the side with the crank or if sitting on bike).
The function of the rear derailleur is to move the drive chain from one gear sprocket to
another. The smaller sprockets on the gear cluster produce higher gear ratios.
Pedaling in the higher gears requires greater pedaling effort but takes you a greater distance
with each revolution of the pedal cranks. The larger sprockets produce lower gear ratios.
Using them requires less pedaling effort but takes you a shorter distance with each pedal crank
revolution. Moving the chain from a smaller sprocket of the gear cluster to a larger sprocket
result in a downshift. Moving the chain from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket result in an
upshift. In order for the derailleur to move the chain from one sprocket to another, the rider
must be pedaling forward.
c. Shifting the Front Derailleur:
The front derailleur, which is controlled by the left shifter, shifts the chain between the larger
and smaller chainrings. Shifting the chain onto a smaller chainring makes pedaling easier
(a downshift). Shifting to a larger chainring makes pedaling harder (an upshift).
d. Which gear should I be in?
The combination of largest rear and smallest front gears (FIG 18) is for the steepest hills.
The smallest rear and largest front combination is for the greatest speed. It is not necessary to
shift gears in sequence. Instead, find the “starting gear” which is right for your level of ability
— a gear which is hard enough for quick acceleration but easy enough to let you start from a
stop without wobbling — and experiment with upshifting and downshifting to get a feel for the
different gear combinations. At first, practice shifting where there are no obstacles, hazards,
or other traffic, until you’ve built up your confidence. Learn not to use either the “smallest to
smallest” or “largest to largest” gear combinations because they may cause unacceptable stress
on the drive train. Learn to anticipate the need to shift, and shift to a lower gear before the hill
gets too steep. If you have difficulties with shifting, the problem could be mechanical
adjustment. See your dealer for help.
FIG 18
WARNING: Never shift a derailleur onto
the largest or the smallest sprocket if the
derailleur is not shifting smoothly.
The derailleur may be out of adjustment
and the chain could jam, causing you to
lose control and fall.
