Climbing?

Question
Hi Scottgem,  

I recently bought a Bianchi Avenue that kind of looks like this one: http://www.bianchiusa.com/avenue.html

I have not been on a bike since I was five and twenty years later, I want to ride again.

Did I buy a good bike (for commuting to school and the occasional off road adventure)?

Second question.... When climbing steep hills... is there a technique as to how and when to change gears?  Are gears exclusively for climbing?  Do I really need to have 21 of them?

Can you give me some tips on how to maintain my bike?

Thanks so much for your help,
Angie

Answer
A very good bike for commuting to school and riding around campus. Not a great bike for off road. The reasons its not are because the tires are too narrow and probably don't have an off road tread. Also the bike has no suspension which would make a rougher ride off road.

The whole concept of gearing is similar to an automobile. The idea is that by changing the gearing the bike (or car) can go further on one revolution of the pedals (motor). The idea is to keep your revolutions constant and shift gears down if the revolutions get too slow and up if they get too fast. On a bike the rpm of your pedals is called cadence. What cadence is good for you comes with practice. But once you get a feel for a comfortable pedaling rhythm you use your gears to keep your cadence about the same.

Other then lubing your chain, modern bikes require very little maintenance. Most bearings are sealed and will last for years.

Hope this helps,
Scott<>

Thanks for the comments. Actually its a little of both. You just happened to ask questions that I am knowledgeable about.

Scott<>