Cannondale Bicycles manual Shifting a derailleur drivetrain, Shifting Gears

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2. Shifting a derailleur drivetrain

If your bicycle has a derailleur drivetrain, the gear-changing mechanism will consist of:

◆a rear sprocket cluster, called a freewheel or freewheel cassette

◆a rear derailleur

◆usually a front derailleur

◆one or two shifters

◆one or two control cables

◆one, two or three front sprockets called chainrings

◆a drive chain

The number of possible gear combinations ("speeds") is the product of multiplying the number of sprockets at the rear of the drivetrain by the number of sprockets at the front (6 x 2 = 12, 6 x 3 = 18, 7 x 3 = 21 and so on).

a. Shifting Gears

There are many different types of shifter mechanisms, each preferred for specific types of application because of its ergonomic, performance and price characteristics. The designers of your bike have selected the

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