Instructions / Assembly

b. Shifting The Rear Derailleur
The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter. 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 results in a downshift. Moving the chain from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket
results 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 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, nd 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
up your confidence. 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 local bike mechanic for help.
WARNING! NEVER SHIFT A DERAILLEUR TO 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.
WARNING! DO NOT FORCE THE SHIFT LEVERS. SHIFT ONLY WHEN PEDALING FORWARD
AND WITHOUT STRONG FORCE. DO NOT BACKPEDAL. BACKPEDALING AND SHIFTING
WHILE NOT PEDALING CAN DAMAGE THE SPROCKETS AND STRETCH THE CABLE WIRE.
e. What If It Won’t Shift Gears?
If moving the shift control one click repeatedly fails to result in a smooth shift to the next gear chances are that
the mechanism is out of adjustment. Take the bike to your bike mechanic to have it adjusted.
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