18 speed or 21 speed?
Question:What does it mean when a bike says its ...say 18 speed, or 21 speed? Does it mean it goes that fast or something?
Answers:
All 21 speeds are not the same. A 21 speed mountain bike would have a lower top speed than a 21 speed Road bike. In fact, it is possible to have a faster 18 speed than 21 speed.
In general, more speeds (gears) is better.
This article best explains it.
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/mountain...
How can i make riding a bike easier?
the total number of speeds on a bicycle is actually a total of gear ratios available based on how many chainrings ( the front set of gears ) and how many cogs in the rear set, it has. It's simple multiplication, 8 speed rear and double chainring or 8 X 2= 16 speeds. 8 speed rear and triple chain ring= 8 X 3 = 24 speed, or 24 possible gear ratios, etc... some ratios make it easier to pedal, to go uphill for example, and some are harder to pedal, to go fast.Number of gears. You have 3 cogs at the front and then either 6 or 7 cogs at the back (3 x 6 = 18, 3 x 7 = 21).
As for going faster, depends upon how efficient your peddling is. But, for going accross country, or climbing big hills, more gears the merrier.
Luck
REAL sports fans, which brand makes better track shoes?
it tells the number of gear combinations available. say you have 3 gears in the front and 6 in the back. 3x6=18speed. 7 gears in the back means 21 speed (3x7). there are also 24speed (8 rear) and 27speed (9 rear). almost all new bikes come with 3 front gears, so multiply 3 by the number of rear gears.that has nothing to do with the actual speed capabilities of the bike. speed depends on the gearing. a fast mtb will have a 44t front chainring with an 11t rear cog. i have this gearing on my bike and i can pedal to about 33mph.
It means the number of front gears times the number of back gears.
More Questions & Answers...