Are You Cross-Chaining? How to Shift Your Bike Gears Perfectly

Hey there, fellow riders! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, taking care of your bike's drivetrain is crucial for a smooth ride and a long-lasting machine. You might have heard the term 'cross-chaining' before, or perhaps you've noticed some odd noises or stiffness when shifting gears, without quite knowing why. Well, that often points to this very common, but avoidable, habit!

Simply put, cross-chaining happens when your bike chain is running at a really extreme angle across your gears. Imagine looking down at your chain from above: if you're using your biggest front chainring (that large gear near your pedals) while simultaneously using your biggest rear cogs (those large gears on your back wheel), that's cross-chaining. The same goes for the opposite extreme: using your smallest front chainring with your smallest rear cogs.

Why should you care? Because this awkward angle puts a lot of unnecessary stress on your chain, chainrings, and cassette. It can lead to faster wear and tear on your precious components, less efficient pedaling, and sometimes even annoying noises. To help you visualize exactly what I mean, take a look at the diagram below. It clearly illustrates these two cross-chaining scenarios from a top-down view, showing you the angles for both triple and double chainring setups. Understanding this simple concept is a game-changer for happier rides and a healthier bike!

What is the effect of using HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW gear combinations?

This is a sample for a 24 speed or 3 x 8 Mountain Bike (MTB).

Proper High Gear Combinations

Heavy in pedaling (low cadence) but bike move fast (normally flat road).

Proper Medium Gear Combinations

Slight lighter than high gear, but bike move slower (normally leisure ride).

Proper Low Gear Combinations

Light in pedaling (high cadence) but the bike moves slow (normally slope or uphill).

Cadence = Pedaling Speed. Pedaling speed is depending on your leg's strength.

Gear Combinations to Avoid

Avoid these gear combinations as this puts additional stress on you bike components.

Gear Combinations For Beginner Riders

Medium gear. Put the middle gear constantly to [2] and just shift the rear gear [4 5 6]. You will feel slightly heavier when you shift the gear from 4 to 5 or 5 to 6.

Sources:

1. USJ CYCLES. (2013, June 18). How to use bike gears ? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.usjcycles.com/news/how-to-use-bike-gears-effectively/.
2. WickWërks LLC. (2018, March 19). Cross chaining – WickWerks [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://wickwerks.com/support/crosschaining/.