HOW THINGS WORK

· How do the gears of a racing bike work?

Gears allow a racing cyclist to keep up a comfortable pedalling rhythm uphill and downhill. When the cyclist changes gears, the chain shifts from one gear wheel to another with a different number of teeth. If the chain links the front gear wheel with the most teeth and the smallest back gear wheel, the bike is in the highest gear.

PEDALS POWER GEAR WHEELS 1

As a cyclist pedals, the crank rotates. It is fastened to two or three gear wheels located in layers. The outermost gear wheel has the most teeth.

THE CHAIN TRANSFERS ENERGY 2

The gear selector makes a front derailleur force the chain from one gear wheel to another. The force of the pedalling is transferred via the chain to rear wheel gear wheels.

GEAR DETERMINES REVOLUTIONS 3

The rear derailleur adjusts the chain's length and shifts it between the gear wheels of the rear wheel. The greater the teeth number difference of the front and rear wheel gear wheels, the higher the cadence.