It has been observed that many cyclists do not use their gear systems properly. They invest a lot of money in building high-quality bikes, yet fail to fully utilize their performance—truly a pity. So, how should one use the gears?
    The gear system actually consists of the shifters, front derailleur, rear derailleur, and the gear cables. The shifters are the controllers, the front derailleur adjusts the chain's position among the three chainrings on the crankset, while the rear derailleur adjusts the chain's position on the cassette. By changing the chain’s position on the crankset and cassette, the gear ratio is altered, producing the shifting effect. When the gear ratio changes, the rider will feel a difference in leg effort—either requiring more force or less. Many beginners think that to ride faster, they need to pedal harder, so it’s common to see them using very high gear ratios (large chainring in the front and small cog in the back). In reality, this belief is incorrect. Cycling speed is influenced by two factors: 1) cadence, and 2) power. Both are essential.

    Cadence refers to the number of pedal strokes per minute. A reasonable cadence is around 90 per minute. Professional cyclists in the Tour de France typically maintain this frequency during mass rides, and slightly higher during off-road cycling. To ride faster, increasing cadence is the primary goal. During sprints, professional riders can reach an astonishing cadence of 140.
    However, many new riders lack the concept of cadence. To go faster, they immediately opt for extremely high gear ratios like 3×8 or 3×9. Because their leg strength is insufficient, they can’t maintain a cadence of 90. As a result, their speed rarely exceeds 30 km/h, and it’s hard to maintain an average pace. Riding at the same speed, they fatigue much faster than those who use proper cadence. Therefore, maintaining the right cadence is the most crucial pedaling technique for amateur cyclists.
    After reading the above about cadence, some may ask: if I maintain a cadence of 90 but feel like the pedals are too light or empty, and I want to ride faster, what should I do? Actually, you need to change your gear ratio—it means your strength can handle a higher gear ratio. After shifting, if you feel increased leg effort but can still maintain a 90 cadence, your riding speed will noticeably increase.
    So how can we ride faster and sustain it for longer? This is where both cadence and power must be balanced. We amateurs...Cyclistsshould first practice maintaining a reasonable cadence, then gradually improve leg strength.
    Maintaining cadence requires frequent gear shifting. Olympic cyclists shift gears very often to maintain optimal pedaling efficiency. We’re not athletes—our cycling is for fitness and enjoyment—so we should also use gear shifts to adjust the gear ratio, prevent muscle fatigue, and stay comfortable. This is where the advantage of a 9-speed system over 8-speed or 7-speed becomes evident. A 9-speed isn’t just about having one more cog on the cassette; the greater number of cogs allows for finer gear ratios, making it easier to find the most suitable one when shifting. This reduces the chance of shifting down too easily or shifting up and suddenly feeling strained. Road cycling places great emphasis on cadence, which is why modern entry-level road bike groupsets now come with 10-speed systems.
    Outside of events, most people don’t use their gears correctly. The gear systems on sport bicycles are different from those on regular commuter bikes—they are durable and designed to be stable. With normal use, they can last for many years, so feel free to use your gears and let them perform as intended.